scholarly journals The Role of Virulence Proteins in Protection Conferred by Bordetella pertussis Outer Membrane Vesicle Vaccines

Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 429
Author(s):  
René H. M. Raeven ◽  
Naomi van Vlies ◽  
Merijn L. M. Salverda ◽  
Larissa van der Maas ◽  
Joost P. Uittenbogaard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Bordetella Pertussis ◽  
Protective Immunity ◽  
Membrane Vesicle ◽  
Outer Membrane Proteins ◽  
Outer Membrane Vesicle ◽  
Protective Capacity ◽  
T Helper 1 ◽  
Virulence Proteins ◽  
Humoral Responses

The limited protective immunity induced by acellular pertussis vaccines demands development of novel vaccines that induce broader and longer-lived immunity. In this study, we investigated the protective capacity of outer membrane vesicle pertussis vaccines (omvPV) with different antigenic composition in mice to gain insight into which antigens contribute to protection. We showed that total depletion of virulence factors (bvg(-) mode) in omvPV led to diminished protection despite the presence of high antibody levels. Antibody profiling revealed overlap in humoral responses induced by vaccines in bvg(-) and bvg(+) mode, but the potentially protective responses in the bvg(+) vaccine were mainly directed against virulence-associated outer membrane proteins (virOMPs) such as BrkA and Vag8. However, deletion of either BrkA or Vag8 in our outer membrane vesicle vaccines did not affect the level of protection. In addition, the vaccine-induced immunity profile, which encompasses broad antibody and mixed T-helper 1, 2 and 17 responses, was not changed. We conclude that the presence of multiple virOMPs in omvPV is crucial for protection against Bordetella pertussis. This protective immunity does not depend on individual proteins, as their absence or low abundance can be compensated for by other virOMPs.

scholarly journals Genetic Similarity of Gonococcal Homologs to Meningococcal Outer Membrane Proteins of Serogroup B Vaccine

mBio ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Henju Marjuki ◽  
Nadav Topaz ◽  
Sandeep J. Joseph ◽  
Kim M. Gernert ◽  
Ellen N. Kersh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Proteins ◽  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Membrane Vesicle ◽  
Outer Membrane Proteins ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Protection ◽  
Outer Membrane Vesicle ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sequence Identity

ABSTRACT The human pathogens Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis share high genome identity. Retrospective analysis of surveillance data from New Zealand indicates the potential cross-protective effect of outer membrane vesicle (OMV) meningococcal serogroup B vaccine (MeNZB) against N. gonorrhoeae. A licensed OMV-based MenB vaccine, MenB-4C, consists of a recombinant FHbp, NhbA, NadA, and the MeNZB OMV. Previous work has identified several abundantly expressed outer membrane proteins (OMPs) as major components of the MenB-4C OMV with high sequence similarity between N. gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis, suggesting a mechanism for cross-protection. To build off these findings, we performed comparative genomic analysis on 970 recent N. gonorrhoeae isolates collected through a U.S surveillance system against N. meningitidis serogroup B (NmB) reference sequences. We identified 1,525 proteins that were common to both Neisseria species, of which 57 proteins were predicted to be OMPs using in silico methods. Among the MenB-4C antigens, NhbA showed moderate sequence identity (73%) to the respective gonococcal homolog, was highly conserved within N. gonorrhoeae, and was predicted to be surface expressed. In contrast, the gonococcal FHbp was predicted not to be surface expressed, while NadA was absent in all N. gonorrhoeae isolates. Our work confirmed recent observations (E. A. Semchenko, A. Tan, R. Borrow, and K. L. Seib, Clin Infect Dis, 2018, https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciy1061) and describes homologous OMPs from a large panel of epidemiologically relevant N. gonorrhoeae strains in the United States against NmB reference strains. Based on our results, we report a set of OMPs that may contribute to the previously observed cross-protection and provide potential antigen targets to guide the next steps in gonorrhea vaccine development. IMPORTANCE Gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted disease, causes substantial global morbidity and economic burden. New prevention and control measures for this disease are urgently needed, as strains resistant to almost all classes of antibiotics available for treatment have emerged. Previous reports demonstrate that cross-protection from gonococcal infections may be conferred by meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) outer membrane vesicle (OMV)-based vaccines. Among 1,525 common proteins shared across the genomes of both N. gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis, 57 proteins were predicted to be surface expressed (outer membrane proteins [OMPs]) and thus preferred targets for vaccine development. The majority of these OMPs showed high sequence identity between the 2 bacterial species. Our results provide valuable insight into the meningococcal antigens present in the current OMV-containing MenB-4C vaccine that may contribute to cross-protection against gonorrhea and may inform next steps in gonorrhea vaccine development.

scholarly journals Antibody Avidity and Immunoglobulin G Isotype Distribution following Immunization with a Monovalent Meningococcal B Outer Membrane Vesicle Vaccine

2002 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 584-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. L. Vermont ◽  
H. H. van Dijken ◽  
C. J. P. van Limpt ◽  
R. de Groot ◽  
L. van Alphen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Immunoglobulin G ◽  
Protective Immunity ◽  
Membrane Vesicle ◽  
Booster Vaccination ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Outer Membrane Vesicle ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Avidity Maturation

ABSTRACT The avidity maturation and immunoglobulin G (IgG) isotype distribution of antibodies after vaccination with a meningococcal B outer membrane vesicle (OMV) vaccine were evaluated as indicators of protective immunity. Pre- and postvaccination sera from 134 healthy toddlers (ages, 2 to 3 years) immunized with a monovalent meningococcal B OMV (serosubtype P1.7-2,4) vaccine adsorbed with AlPO4 or Al(OH)3 were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. The children were vaccinated three times with intervals of 3 to 6 weeks between vaccinations or twice with an interval of 6 to 10 weeks between vaccinations. A booster was given after 20 to 40 weeks. The avidity index (AI) of antibodies increased significantly during the primary series of vaccinations and after the booster was given. No differences in AIs were found when the results obtained with the two vaccination schedules or with the two adjuvants were compared. After vaccination, IgG1 was the predominant IgG isotype, followed by IgG3. No IgG2 or IgG4 was detected. There was a strong correlation between serum bactericidal activity (SBA) and ELISA titers (r = 0.85 [P < 0.0001] for total IgG, r = 0.83 for IgG1 [P < 0.0001], r = 0.82 for IgG3 [P < 0.0001], and r = 0.84 [P < 0.0001] for the avidity titer). When two subgroups with similar anti-OMV IgG levels were compared before and after the booster vaccination, the higher AI after the booster vaccination was associated with significantly increased SBA. We concluded that avidity maturation occurs after vaccination with a monovalent meningococcal B OMV vaccine, especially after boosting, as indicated by a significant increase in the AI. Vaccination with the monovalent OMV vaccine induced mainly IgG1 and IgG3 isotypes, which are considered to be most important for protection against meningococcal disease. An increase in the AI of antibodies is associated with increased SBA, independent of the level of specific IgG and the IgG isotype distribution. Measuring the AI and IgG isotype distribution of antibodies after vaccination can be a supplementary method for predicting protective immunity for evaluation in future phase III trials with meningococcal serogroup B vaccines.

scholarly journals Meningococcal Detoxified Outer Membrane Vesicle Vaccines Enhance Gonococcal Clearance in a Murine Infection Model

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn A Matthias ◽  
Kristie L Connolly ◽  
Afrin A Begum ◽  
Ann E Jerse ◽  
Andrew N Macintyre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Membrane Vesicle ◽  
Outer Membrane Proteins ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Cross Reactivity ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Outer Membrane Vesicle ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Genital Tract Infection

Abstract Background Despite decades of research efforts, development of a gonorrhea vaccine has remained elusive. Epidemiological studies suggest that detoxified outer membrane vesicle (dOMV) vaccines from Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) may protect against infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng). We recently reported that Nm dOMVs lacking the major outer membrane proteins (OMPs) PorA, PorB, and RmpM induced greater antibody cross-reactivity against heterologous Nm strains than wild-type (WT) dOMVs and may represent an improved vaccine against gonorrhea. Methods We prepared dOMV vaccines from meningococcal strains that were sufficient or deleted for PorA, PorB, and RmpM. Vaccines were tested in a murine genital tract infection model and antisera were used to identify vaccine targets. Results Immunization with Nm dOMVs significantly and reproducibly enhanced gonococcal clearance for mice immunized with OMP-deficient dOMVs; significant clearance for WT dOMV-immunized mice was observed in one of two experiments. Clearance was associated with serum and vaginal anti-Nm dOMV IgG antibodies that cross-reacted with Ng. Serum IgG was used to identify putative Ng vaccine targets, including PilQ, MtrE, NlpD, and GuaB. Conclusions Meningococcal dOMVs elicited a protective effect against experimental gonococcal infection. Recognition and identification of Ng vaccine targets by Nm dOMV-induced antibodies supports the development of a cross-protective Neisseria vaccine.

scholarly journals Regulation of outer-membrane proteins (OMPs) A and F, during hlyF-induced outer-membrane vesicle (OMV) biosynthesis

Heliyon ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (7) ◽  
pp. e02014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wouter André van der Westhuizen ◽  
Chrispian William Theron ◽  
Charlotte Enastacia Boucher ◽  
Robert Richard Bragg
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Proteins ◽  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Membrane Vesicle ◽  
Outer Membrane Proteins ◽  
Outer Membrane Vesicle

scholarly journals The serogroup B meningococcal outer membrane vesicle-based vaccine 4CMenB induces cross-species protection against Neisseria gonorrhoeae

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabelle Leduc ◽  
Kristie L. Connolly ◽  
Afrin Begum ◽  
Knashka Underwood ◽  
Nazia Rahman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Neisseria Gonorrhoeae ◽  
Neisseria Meningitidis ◽  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Membrane Vesicle ◽  
Outer Membrane Proteins ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Outer Membrane Vesicle ◽  
Epidemiological Evidence ◽  
Species Protection

AbstractThere is a pressing need for a gonorrhea vaccine due to the high disease burden associated with gonococcal infections globally and the rapid evolution of antibiotic resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng). Current gonorrhea vaccine research is in the stages of antigen discovery and the identification of protective immune responses, and no vaccine has been tested in clinical trials in over 30 years. Recently, however, it was reported in a retrospective case-control study that vaccination of humans with a serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) outer membrane vesicle (OMV) vaccine (MeNZB) was associated with reduced rates of gonorrhea. Here we directly tested the hypothesis that Nm OMVs induce cross-protection against gonorrhea in a well-characterized female mouse model of Ng genital tract infection. We found that immunization with the licensed Nm OMV-based vaccine 4CMenB (Bexsero®) significantly accelerated clearance and reduced the Ng bacterial burden compared to administration of alum or PBS. High titers of serum IgG1 and IgG2a and vaginal IgG1 that cross-reacted with Ng OMVs were induced by vaccination via either the subcutaneous or intraperitoneal routes, and a 4-fold increase in the serum bactericidal50 titers was detected against the challenge strain. Antibodies from vaccinated mice recognized several surface proteins in a diverse collection of Ng strains, including PilQ, BamA, MtrE, PorB, and Opa, and 4CMenB-induced antibodies bound PilQ and MtrE in native form on the surface of viable bacteria. In contrast, the antibodies were only cross-reactive against lipooligosaccharide species from a few Ng strains. Our findings directly support epidemiological evidence that Nm OMVs confer cross-species protection against Ng and implicate several Ng surface antigens as potentially protective targets. This work also validates the murine infection model as a relevant experimental system for investigating mechanisms of vaccine-mediated protection against gonorrhea.Author summaryOver 78 million Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng) infections occur globally each year and control of gonorrhea through vaccination is challenged by a lack of strong evidence that immunity to gonorrhea is possible. This contention was recently challenged by epidemiological evidence suggesting that an outer membrane vesicle (OMV) vaccine from the related species Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) protected humans against gonorrhea. Here we provide experimental evidence in support of this hypothesis by demonstrating that a licensed, modified version of this Nm OMV-based vaccine accelerates clearance of Ng in a mouse infection model. These results confirm the possibility cross-species protection and are important in that they support the biological feasibility of vaccine-induced immunity against gonorrhea. We also showed that several Ng outer membrane proteins are recognized by antisera from vaccinated mice that may be protective targets of the vaccine. Additionally, our demonstration that a vaccine that may reduce the risk of gonorrhea in humans protects mice against Ng, a highly host-restricted pathogen, validates the mouse model as a potentially useful tool for examining mechanisms of protection, which could be exploited in the development of other candidate gonorrhea vaccines.

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