T-cell-stimulating protein A elicits immune responses during meningococcal carriage and human disease.

ABSTRACT: In recognition of the need for immunological memory-inducing components for future Neisseria meningitidis group B vaccines, we previously searched the proteome of N. meningitidis and identified T-cell-stimulating protein A (TspA). This study was designed to confirm the immunogencity of TspA and to examine the subset of T-helper cell responses to the protein in patients and nasopharyngeal carriers. The tspA gene was reconstructed, cloned, and expressed in Escherichia coli, and the recombinant TspA (rTspA) protein was affinity purified. T-cell proliferative responses to rTspA were detected in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of convalescent patients and carriers, confirming that TspA-specific T-cell responses were stimulated by invasive disease and nasopharyngeal colonization.

SUBMITTER: Robinson K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1201220 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature