(792h) Production of Chlamydia Trachomatis Protein Antigens for Vaccine Development

Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterium that primarily infects mucosal membranes of the eyes and reproductive organs. Though the disease is treatable using antibiotics, infected individuals are often asymptomatic and thus do not seek treatment. The most effective way to reduce the number of infections is a vaccine. Three proteins have been identified as potential vaccine targets: CT681 (Major Outer Membrane Protein), CT443 (Outer Membrane Protein B), and CT043. These C. trachomatis proteins are associated with the outer membrane of the organism and can be used to elicit an immune response against the organism. However, due to the intracellular nature of the organism, culturing the cells to produce sufficient quantities of these proteins is laborious and difficult. Using an E. coli based in vitro protein synthesis platform, we are able to produce these three C. trachomatis proteins as soluble proteins with high yields. We are also able to incorporate azide and alkyne functional non-natural amino acids into the C. trachomatis protein, thus allowing for site specific conjugation. The ability to conjugate these proteins is valuable because it allows us to link adjuvants that stimulate Th1 response, which has been shown to be the dominant pathway to clear a current infection and to prevent future infections. We are currently working on conjugating these proteins, as well as potential adjuvants, onto the surface of a virus-like particle (VLP). By linking the C. trachomatis proteins with the adjuvants, we believe we can elicit a much stronger immune response compared with injecting the proteins and adjuvants separately.