Transgene as vaccine for chlamydia,

Background We evaluated the potential utility of DNA immunization with the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) gene of Chlamydia trachomatis mouse pneumonitis (MoPn) strain for induction of protective immunity to chlamydial infection in mice. Methods and Results Groups of Balb/c mice were immunized with naked DNA intramuscularly or intranasally or with MOMP DNA–transfected Salmonella typhimurium delivery orally. Mice were challenged with MoPn through the pulmonary route to assay for protective immunity. All 3 routes of DNA immunization elicited protective immunity. Mucosal delivery appeared more efficacious than intramuscular delivery. Conclusions DNA immunization with the chlamydia MOMP gene may be suitable for vaccine development. (Am Heart J 1999;138:S519-S522.)