Immunogenic compositions for protection against Chlamydial infection

Abstract

A protective immune response against Chlamydial infection is achieved by in vivo administration of an immunogenic composition comprising two vectors and a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier therefor. One of the vectors comprises a first nucleotide sequence encoding a major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of a strain of Chlamydia, preferably C. pneumoniae, and a promoter sequence operatively coupled to the first nucleotide sequence for expression of the MOMP in the host. The other of the vectors comprises a second nucleotide sequence encoding a 76 kDa protein of a strain of Chlamydia, preferably C. pneumoniae, and a promoter sequence operatively coupled to the second nucleotide sequence for expression of the 76 kDa protein in the host. The protection efficiency which is achieved by the immunization procedure is enhanced over that attained with the individual vectors alone.

1 . An immunogenic composition for in vivo administration to a host for the generation in the host of a protective immune response against Chlamydial infection, comprising: 
 a first vector comprising: 
 a first nucleotide sequence encoding a major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of a strain of  Chlamydia  and a first promoter sequence operatively coupled to said first nucleotide sequence for expression of said MOMP in the host;  
   a second vector comprising: 
 a second nucleotide sequence encoding a 76 kDa protein of a strain of  Chlamydia  and a second promoter sequence operatively coupled to said second nucleotide sequence for expression of said 76 kDa protein in the host; and  
   a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier therefor.    
     
     
         2 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 1  wherein the first nucleotide sequence encodes a MOMP from  Chlamydia pneumoniae.    
     
     
         3 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 1  wherein the first nucleotide sequence encodes a MOMP from  Chlamydia trachomatis.    
     
     
         4 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 2  wherein said first nucleotide sequence has SEQ ID No: 12, 13 or 14.  
     
     
         5 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 2  wherein said first nucleotide sequence encodes a MOMP having SEQ ID No: 15 or 16.  
     
     
         6 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 2  wherein the first promoter is a cytomegalovirus promoter.  
     
     
         7 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 1  wherein the second nucleotide sequence encodes a 76 kDa protein from  Chlamydia pneumoniae.    
     
     
         8 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 1  wherein the second nucleotide sequence encodes a 76 kDa protein from  Chlamydia trachomatis.    
     
     
         9 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 7  wherein said second nucleotide sequence has SEQ ID No: 1, 2, 3 or 4.  
     
     
         10 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 7  wherein said second nucleotide sequence encodes a 76 kDa protein having a molecular size of about 35 kDa and having SEQ ID No: 7.  
     
     
         11 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 7  wherein said second nucleotide sequence encodes a 76 kDa protein having a molecular size of about 60 kDa and having SEQ ID No: 8 or 9.  
     
     
         12 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 7  wherein said second promoter is a cytomegalovirus promoter.  
     
     
         13 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 1  wherein said first vector is a plasmid vector.  
     
     
         14 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 13  wherein said first plasmid vector has the identifying characteristics of pCAMOMP as seen in  FIG. 4 .  
     
     
         15 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 1  wherein said second vector is a plasmid vector.  
     
     
         16 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 15  wherein said second plasmid vector has the identifying characteristics of pCA76 kDa as seen in  FIG. 2 .  
     
     
         17 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 1  wherein both said first and second vectors are plasmid vectors.  
     
     
         18 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 17  wherein said first plasmid vector is pCAMOMP and said second plasmid vector is pCA76 kDa.  
     
     
         19 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 1  wherein said first and second vectors are present in amounts such that the individual protective effect of each vector upon administration of the composition to the host is not adversely affected by the other.  
     
     
         20 . The immunogenic composition of  claim 1  wherein said first and second vectors are present in amounts such that an enhanced protective effect is achieved in comparison to the individual vectors alone.  
     
     
         21 . A method of immunizing a host against disease caused by infection with a strain of  Chlamydia,  which comprises administering to said host an effective amount of an immunogenic composition of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said immunogenic composition is administered intranasally.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said host is a human host.