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Oral immunization with chlamydial major outer membrane protein (MOMP)
H R Taylor1, J Whittum-Hudson, J Schachter
1Wilmer Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21205.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|December 1, 1988
Summary
Vaccinating monkeys with a chlamydial major outer membrane protein (MOMP) vaccine showed limited success in preventing eye infections. While reducing inflammation, the vaccine did not shorten infection duration or significantly boost antibody responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Ophthalmology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Chlamydia trachomatis causes significant ocular infections.
- Developing effective vaccines against chlamydial eye infections remains a challenge.
- Stimulating mucosal immunity is a key strategy for preventing ocular infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a purified chlamydial major outer membrane protein (MOMP) subunit vaccine in stimulating mucosal immunity.
- To assess the vaccine's effect on subsequent ocular challenge with Chlamydia trachomatis in cynomolgus monkeys.
- To determine if different immunization schedules influence protection against chlamydial eye infection.
Main Methods:
- Cynomolgus monkeys were immunized with MOMP via intraperitoneal priming and oral boosting, with or without ocular boosting, or ocular immunization alone.
- Cholera toxin was used as an adjuvant for oral MOMP doses.
- Animals were challenged with live Chlamydia trachomatis elementary bodies 35 days post-immunization.
- Immune responses were assessed using immunoblotting and microimmunofluorescence (MicroIF) serology.
Main Results:
- Vaccination transiently decreased inflammatory responses in the eye but did not reduce infection duration.
- Anti-MOMP antibodies were detected in some orally vaccinated animals via immunoblotting.
- MicroIF serology showed similar antibody responses in vaccinated and non-vaccinated animals after ocular challenge.
- No significant reduction in infection duration or severity was observed across different immunization groups.
Conclusions:
- Stimulating mucosal immunity with a purified chlamydial MOMP vaccine provided only partial protection against ocular infection.
- The immunization regimens failed to induce a robust pre-challenge antibody response, potentially explaining the limited efficacy.
- Further research is needed to develop more effective vaccination strategies against chlamydial eye infections.