Peptide immunization of guinea pigs against Chlamydia psittaci (GPIC agent) infection induces good vaginal secretion antibody response, in vitro neutralization and partial protection against live challenge

Abstract

Immunization of female guinea pigs with a chimeric peptide consisting of variable domain IV (VDIV) and a region known as GP8 from the major outer membrane protein of Chlamydophila caviae, formerly Chlamydia psittaci guinea pig inclusion conjunctivitis strain, was performed to assess whether humoral immune responses could be elicited in the reproductive tracts of immunized animals. The C. caviae strain is able to cause a sexually transmitted infection in the guinea pig that closely parallels C. trachomatis infections in humans. The best anti‐VDIV antibody response in vaginal secretions was achieved by intraperitoneal priming with subsequent intravaginal boosting (P < 0.001). Dot‐blot analyses of vaginal secretions confirmed that these anti‐VDIV antibodies, produced against a linear peptide, were able to recognize and bind to whole conformational C. caviae elementary bodies. Following live intravaginal challenge with C. caviae, a significant reduction in the intensity (P = 0.01) and an apparent reduction in the duration of the infection was evident between the guinea pigs immunized with VDIV‐GP8 and non‐immunized controls.

Use of a Guinea Pig-Specific Transcriptome Array for Evaluation of Protective Immunity against Genital Chlamydial Infection following Intranasal Vaccination in Guinea Pigs

“…Previous vaccination studies against genital C. caviae infection in guinea pigs have utilized oral [34] , subcutaneous [17] , [35] , intraperitoneal [58] and i.vag. routes [59] for delivery of protective peptides [17] , [58] , [60] or whole EBs [34] , [35] . We have extensively characterized the use of i.n.…”

Modern veterinary vaccines and the Shaman's apprentice

“…Several areas of improvement using somewhat traditional approaches with new technology are evident in chlamydial, spirochetal, and dermatophytic diseases, among others. Volp and coworkers [32] describe efficacy of immunization with a major outer membrane protein (GP8) from Chamydophila caviae (aka Chlamydia psittaci) but most chlamydial vaccines do not protect against infection but rather ameliorate symptoms; attenuated live or omps are used [33] and plasma DNA offers some hope of success. Even so, a recent European Commission report emphasizes other strategies for chlamydiosis control [34].…”

Identification of immunodominant linear B-cell epitopes within the major outer membrane protein of &lt;italic&gt;Chlamydia trachomatis&lt;/italic&gt;

“…In particular, Th1 type cytokines IFN-g is a major player involved in promoting chlamydia persistence and immunopathology [5,6]. Neutralization antibody may play a role in host defense against chlamydial infection [7]. New tools need to be developed to control the chlamydia persistent infection and its rapid global spread.…”