Open AccessHuman immune response to epitopes on the meningococcal outer membrane class 5 protein following natural infection
Author(s) -
Danelli M.G.M.,
Alves C.M.A.,
Bastos R.C.,
Batoreu N.M.,
Barroso D.E.,
Peralta J.M.,
Frasch C.E.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-695x.1996.tb00067.x
Subject(s) - epitope , neisseria meningitidis , monoclonal antibody , virology , bacterial outer membrane , antibody , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , bacteria , gene , escherichia coli , genetics , biochemistry
Two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were produced against a serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis strain. These mAbs recognized two epitopes in the class 5 outer membrane proteins (OMP), designated P5.7 and P5.Bm, and were able to kill the homologous strain through complement activation. Both epitopes were surface exposed and 68% of group B meningococcal clinical isolates had one or both epitopes present in their class 5 OMP. Antibodies to one or both epitopes were demonstrated in 17 patients with meningococcal meningitis using an ELISA inhibition assay. Of the 17 paired sera, 41% and 29% of the acute‐phase sera had antibodies to the P5.7 and P5.Bm epitopes, respectively. Immunoglobulin G to P5.Bm were found in all 17 convalescent‐phase sera while specific antibodies against P5.7 were only found in 6 of these sera. These results demonstrate the potential importance of the P5.Bm and P5.7 epitopes on the class 5 OMP as candidates for vaccine composition.