Characterization of a stress protein from group B Neisseria meningitidis

Abstract

Increased levels of a 65-kDa stress protein (Msp65) were observed in group B Neisseria meningitidis grown under stationary-growth conditions. Electron microscopy showed two apposing rings of seven subunits, a structure typical of Escherichia coli GroEL. Msp65 was not found in either the periplasmic space or the outer membrane. Several important differences between the GroEL analogs of N. meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are discussed.

Heat‐shock proteins as dendritic cell‐targeting vaccines – getting warmer

“…For example, whole cell vaccines are used widely and possess acceptable safety profiles . Antibodies to hsp65 were found in sera from children vaccinated with DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) vaccine administered extensively in Europe and the USA . Antibodies against BCG hsp develop naturally in infants in 6–12 months, even without BCG vaccination .…”

“…96 Antibodies to hsp65 were found in sera from children vaccinated with DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) vaccine administered extensively in Europe and the USA. 97 Antibodies against BCG hsp develop naturally in infants in 6-12 months, even without BCG vaccination. 98 The safety of human exposure to N. meningitidis hsp was obtained from administration of marketed vaccines that contain hsp.…”

Current status of meningococcal group B vaccine candidates: capsular or noncapsular?

“…In one study of nasopharyngeal spread within a population in which the causative organism belonged to the B:15:P1. 16 (serogroup:serotype: subtype) strain (35), approximately half of the strains identifiable as the epidemic strain by the presence of serotype-and subtype-specific antigens (see below) could not be grouped serologically. Apparently, certain meningococci tend to lose the ability to express capsules during nasopharyngeal colonization.…”

“…The view that a polya2-8NeuNAc-based vaccine could initiate autoimmune processes due to the presence of this structure in NCAM (61) is not borne out by fact. Although several complications have been reported to occur during recovery from meningitis, including arthritis, pericarditis, and a case of conus medullaris syndrome, these complications are thought to result from the host immune response to the meningococcus (197), probably directed against a meningococcal stress protein that can induce antibodies cross-reactive with host determinants (16,158). Vaccines containing serotype proteins and polya2-8NeuNAc have been tested in animal models (127) and…”