Examination of two meningococcal surface proteins as potential vaccine targets
Current research
- University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- Researchers:
Dr Christopher Bayliss, Dr Ed Kaczmarski, Dr Hannah Chan, Professor Ian Feavers
- Start Date: 01 July 2010
- Type: Lay summary
- View scientific version
What is this project about?
In our search for potential MenB vaccine components, we are focussing
on two proteins found on the surface of meningococcal bacteria that
enable these bacteria to latch onto haemoglobin (the substance in red
blood cells that carries oxygen) in the human body. Meningococcal
bacteria can switch these proteins ‘on’ and ‘off’ rapidly by changes in
their DNA. However, from our preliminary research, we believe that
these proteins are switched ‘on’ when meningococci cause disease. This
suggests that, in order to stay alive and multiply inside the human
body, meningococci need these proteins. They use these proteins to
acquire the iron which is vital to their life, since iron is plentiful
in haemoglobin. We will test this theory and find out whether the
proteins are always switched ‘on’ during disease by looking at the DNA
that controls the production of these proteins from meningococcal
bacteria in samples of blood and cerebrospinal fluid (fluid from within
the meninges) taken routinely for diagnosis of patients with
meningococcal infection. We will also establish whether these proteins
are required for the bacteria to multiply in human blood and whether
our bodies make antibodies against these proteins when meningococci are
being carried in the back of the nose and throat.
We will also find out whether these proteins can trigger the production
of antibodies that kill meningococcal bacteria, and prevent the
bacteria from causing disease in rats. These experiments will provide
us with the evidence to propose that these genes should be included in
any new meningococcal vaccine.
Why is this important?
Meningococcal B septicaemia and meningitis (MenB) are significant
causes of death and disability in the UK and Ireland and worldwide. The
most effective way to prevent meningococcal disease is through the use
of vaccines. New vaccines are being developed but it is not clear
whether these vaccines will be able to prevent disease caused by all
the different strains of MenB. There is, therefore, still a need to
identify new targets on the bacteria, which can be developed as vaccine
components to improve the effectiveness of these vaccines.
Potential outcomes
We hope to demonstrate that these proteins elicit killing of
meningococcal bacteria and protect animals that have been immunised
with them, and this evidence will warrant their further development as
vaccine candidates. This work is intended to complement on-going
meningococcal vaccine research and to arouse commercial interest,
resulting in rapid progress towards a vaccine.