Chlamydia trachomatis antigens

Abstract

The present invention relates to antigenic proteins from Chlamydia trachomatis. A method for inducing an immune response with an immunogenic Chlamydia protein is provided in which an effective amount of an immunogenic Chlamydia protein is administered to a subject. In one example, the immunogenic Chlamydia protein has a molecular weight of about 15.8 kDa and a pI of about 4.8. In another example, the immunogenic Chlamydia protein has an N-terminal amino acid sequence of TTESLETLVE (SEQ ID NO: 2). In another example, the immunogenic Chlamydia protein is Chlamydia ribosomal protein L7/L12 or a serovar homologue of Chlamydia ribosomal protein L7/L12.

1 . A method of eliciting a  Chlamydia  specific immune response in a patient, the method comprises the step of administering to the patient an effective amount of an immunogenic protein, wherein the immunogenic protein is  Chlamydia  ribosomal protein L7/L12 or a serovar homologue of  Chlamydia  ribosomal protein L7/L12.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the immunogenic protein is  Chlamydia  ribosomal protein L7/L12.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the protein has a MW of about 15.8 kDa and a pI of about 4.8.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the protein has an N-terminal amino acid sequence of TTESLETLVE (SEQ ID NO:2).  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the immunogenic protein is a serovar homologue of  Chlamydia  ribosomal protein L7/L12.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the homologue has a MW of about 15.8 kDa and a pI of about 4.8.