Recombinant expression of Chlamydia trachomatis major outer membrane protein in E. Coli outer membrane as a substrate for vaccine research. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wen, Zhiyun; Boddicker, Melissa; Kaufhold, Robin; Khandelwal, Puneet; Durr, Eberhard; Qiu, Ping; Lucas, Bob; Nahas, Debbie; Cook, James; Touch, Sinoeun; Skinner, Julie; Espeseth, Amy; Przysiecki, Craig; Zhang, Lan
• Is Part Of: BMC microbiology. Volume 16:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 13
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Chlamydia trachomatis -- MOMP -- Outer membrane expression -- Immunogenicity; Microbiology -- Periodicals; 579.05
• DOI: 10.1186/s12866-016-0787-3
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-2180

Abstract

Abstract Background Chlamydia trachomatis is a human pathogen which causes a number of pathologies, including genital tract infections in women that can result in tubal infertility. Prevention of infection and disease control might be achieved through vaccination; however, a safe, efficacious and cost-effective vaccine againstC. trachomatis infection remains an unmet medical need.C. trachomatis major outer membrane protein (MOMP), a β-barrel integral outer membrane protein, is the most abundant antigen in the outer membrane of the bacterium and has been evaluated as a subunit vaccine candidate. Recombinant MOMP (rMOMP) expressed inE. coli cytoplasm forms inclusion bodies and rMOMP extracted from inclusion bodies results in a reduced level of protection compared to the native MOMP in a mouse challenge model. Results We sought to target the recombinant expression of MOMP to theE. coli outer membrane (OM). Successful surface expression was achieved with codon harmonization, utilization of low copy number vectors and promoters with moderate strength, suitable leader sequences and optimization of cell culture conditions. rMOMP was extracted fromE. coli outer membrane, purified, and characterized biophysically. The OM expressed and purified rMOMP is immunogenic in mice and elicits antibodies that react to the native antigen, Chlamydia elementary body (EB). Conclusions C. trachomatis MOMP was functionally expressed on the surface ofE. coli outer membrane. The OM expressed and purified rMOMP elicits antibodies that react to the native antigen, Chlamydia EB, in a mouse immunogenicity model. Surface expression of MOMP could provide useful reagents for vaccine research, and the methodology could serve as a platform to produce other outer membrane proteins recombinantly.