Identification of T cells that respond to serovar-specific regions of the Chlamydia trachomatis major outer membrane protein in persons with serovar E infection

J Infect Dis. 1998 Dec;178(6):1713-8. doi: 10.1086/314478.

Abstract

Protection from Chlamydia trachomatis infection is serovar-specific and T cell-dependent; however, the T cell epitopes identified to date have not been serovar-specific. The chlamydial major outer membrane protein (MOMP) contains serovar-specific B cell epitopes in four regions of the molecule whose amino acid sequence varies among serovars, the variable segments (VS). Serovar-specific T cell epitopes were sought by examining proliferation of blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from Chlamydia-infected patients in response to VS peptides of serovar E MOMP. Serovar E-specific peptides from VS1, VS2, and VS4 stimulated PBMC to a greater extent in serovar E-infected than in non-E-infected subjects. Peptides containing constant regions of MOMP were recognized equally by all infected persons. The observed responses were attributable to T cells. T cell recognition of serovar-specific regions of MOMP is common and may contribute to the serovar-specific protection previously observed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / chemistry
  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / immunology*
  • Chlamydia Infections / immunology*
  • Chlamydia trachomatis / classification
  • Chlamydia trachomatis / genetics
  • Chlamydia trachomatis / immunology*
  • Epitopes / immunology
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Activation*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Peptide Fragments / immunology
  • Serotyping
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / immunology
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / microbiology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins
  • Epitopes
  • Peptide Fragments