We will develop of a safe and effective vaccine against sexually transmitted diseases caused by chlamydia trachomatis. The objectives of our studies are to investigate the immunogenicity and efficacy of microparticles for oral immunization and bioadhesive microspheres for intravaginal immunization, both containing a selected oligopeptide immunogen from C. trachomatis. We will (I) design and assess a microparticle-based oral vaccine for its ability to induce potent vaginal and systemic immune responses against a synthetic peptide immunogen corresponding to a neutralizinz antibody domain on the relevant serovars of C. trachomatis, (2) design and assess a microsphere-based intravaginal vaccine for its ability to induce potent vaginal and systemic immune responses to the peptide Immunogen from C. trachomatis, and (3) determine the ability of oral and intravaginal vaccines to induce protective immunity against chlamydial challenge in a relevant mouse model of infection and undertake preliminary studies to investigate the potential of combined oral/intravaginal immunization to induce optimal immune responses in the genital tract of female mice.Awardee's statement of the potential commercial applications of the research:This project will lead to a Chlamydia vaccine for prevention of sexually transmitted disease. Presently, there is no vaccine for Chlamydia infection, a condition with annual cost of $2.4 billion. Innovations include use of particulate formulations for systemic and local secretory immunity, use of synthetic peptide immunogens, accomplishments also applicable for vaccines against other diseases, including AIDS.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
