CD4+ T cells and antibody are required for optimal major outer membrane protein vaccine-induced immunity to Chlamydia muridarum genital infection

Infect Immun. 2010 Oct;78(10):4374-83. doi: 10.1128/IAI.00622-10. Epub 2010 Jul 26.

Abstract

Despite effective antimicrobial chemotherapy, control of Chlamydia trachomatis urogenital infection will likely require a vaccine. We have assessed the protective effect of an outer membrane protein-based vaccine by using a murine model of chlamydial genital infection. Female mice were first vaccinated with Chlamydia muridarum major outer membrane protein (MOMP) plus the adjuvants CpG-1826 and Montanide ISA 720; then they were challenged with C. muridarum. Vaccinated mice shed 2 log(10) to 3 log(10) fewer inclusion-forming units (IFU) than ovalbumin-vaccinated or naïve animals, resolved infection sooner, and had a lower incidence of hydrosalpinx. To determine the relative contribution of T cells to vaccine-induced protection, mice were vaccinated, depleted of CD4(+) or CD8(+) T cells, and then challenged vaginally with C. muridarum. Depletion of CD4(+) T cells, but not depletion of CD8(+) T cells, diminished vaccine-induced protection, with CD4-depleted mice shedding 2 log(10) to 4 log(10) more IFU than CD8-depleted or nondepleted mice. The contribution of antibodies to vaccine-induced protection was demonstrated by the absence of protective immunity in vaccinated B-cell-deficient mice and by a 2 log(10) to 3 log(10) decrease in bacterial shedding by mice passively administered an anti-MOMP serum. Thus, optimal protective immunity in this model of vaccine-induced protection depends on contributions from both CD4(+) T cells and antibody.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes
  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / immunology*
  • Bacterial Vaccines / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / physiology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / physiology
  • Chlamydia Infections / prevention & control*
  • Chlamydia muridarum / immunology*
  • Female
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Vaginosis, Bacterial / microbiology
  • Vaginosis, Bacterial / prevention & control

Substances

  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins
  • Bacterial Vaccines