Open AccessSynthetic peptides based on Chlamydia trachomatis antigens identify cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in subjects from a trachoma‐endemic population
Author(s) -
HOLLAND M. J.,
CONWAY D. J.,
BLANCHARD T. J.,
MAHDI O. M. S.,
BAILEY R. L.,
WHITTLE H. C.,
MABEY D. C. W.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
clinical & experimental immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 135
eISSN - 1365-2249
pISSN - 0009-9104
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2249.1997.2511129.x
Subject(s) - trachoma , immunology , chlamydia trachomatis , cytotoxic t cell , antigen , chlamydia , biology , population , t lymphocyte , virology , medicine , in vitro , pathology , environmental health , genetics
CD8 + cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) recognize peptide antigens in the context of class I MHC antigen molecules. To identify peptides capable of eliciting anti‐ Chlamydia trachomatis CTL responses, 13 synthetic peptides conforming to human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐B8‐ or ‐B35‐predicted binding motifs were synthesized using sequences based on C . trachomatis major outer membrane protein (MOMP) and heat shock protein 60 (hsp60). Two of 11 HLA‐B35‐predicted binding peptides were able to stabilize HLA‐B35 in an in vitro binding assay. All peptides were tested in CTL assays using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from 26 HLA‐B8 or ‐B35 individuals resident in a trachoma‐endemic community. Responses to MOMP and hsp60 peptides were identified in a minority of both HLA‐B8 and ‐B35 individuals. Two of 12 HLA‐B8 subjects responded to MOMP and 1/13 to hsp60 peptides. Responses in HLA‐B35 subjects were similar, 1/13 subjects responding to MOMP and 2/13 to hsp60 peptides. CTL responses were observed only in children resolving current infection and in adults without scarring of the conjunctiva. These results suggest that anti‐chlamydial CTL occur at low levels in peripheral blood, but may be important in the resolution of naturally acquired human ocular chlamydial infection.