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Immunization with the Recombinant PorB Outer Membrane Protein Induces a Bactericidal Immune Response against Neisseria meningitidis

J. Claire Wright,^, Jeannette N. Williams, Myron Christodoulides, and John E. Heckels^*

Molecular Microbiology and Infection, Division of Infection, Inflammation and Repair, University of Southampton Medical School, and Southampton General Hospital, Southampton SO16 6YD, United Kingdom

Received 16 January 2002/ Returned for modification 28 February 2002/ Accepted 1 May 2002

Infections with Neisseria meningitidis are characterized by life-threatening meningitis and septicemia. The meningococcal porin proteins from serogroup B meningococci have been identified as candidates for inclusion in vaccines to prevent such infections. In this study, we investigated the vaccine potential of the PorB porin protein free of other meningococcal components. The porB gene from a strain of Neisseria meningitidis expressing the class 3 outer membrane porin protein (PorB3) was cloned into the pRSETB vector, and the protein was expressed at high levels in a heterologous host Escherichia coli. The recombinant protein was purified to homogeneity by affinity chromatography and used for immunization after incorporation into liposomes and into micelles composed either of zwitterionic detergent or nondetergent sulfobetaine. The immunogenicity of these preparations was compared to recombinant PorB protein adsorbed to Al(OH)₃ adjuvant as a control. Although sera raised against the protein adsorbed to Al(OH)₃ reacted with the purified recombinant protein, sera raised against liposomes and micelles showed greater activity with native protein, as measured by enzyme immunoassay with outer membranes and by whole-cell immunofluorescence. Reactivity with native protein was considerably enhanced by incorporation of the adjuvant monophosphoryl lipid A into the liposome or micelle preparations. Recognition of the native protein was in a serotype-specific manner and was associated with the ability of the antisera to promote high levels of serotype-specific complement-mediated killing of meningococci. These results demonstrate that the PorB protein should be considered as a component of a vaccine designed to prevent serogroup B meningococcal infection.

Editor: D. L. Burns

Present address: Molecular Infectious Diseases Group, Wetherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom.

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