Hybrid protein comprising T-helper cell stimulating epitopes and B-cells epitopes from the major outer membrane protein of Chlamydia trachomatis and its use as a vaccine

Abstract

A recombinant hybrid protein is disclosed which expresses at least one chlamydial B-cell neutralizing antibody stimulating epitope and one chlamydial T-helper cell epitope, and is capable of inducing antibodies immunoreactive with Chlamydia trachomatis in vertebrate. Also disclosed is a nucleic acid molecule comprising at least a portion encoding the recombinant hybrid protein and an antibody immunoreactive with C. trachomatis producible by immunizing a host with an immunogenic component comprising the recombinant hybrid protein or the nucleic acid molecule and a carrier. The present invention relates to recombinant hybrid proteins, containing both B and T-helper cell epitopes which can be used in vaccines to provide a protective response to C. trachomatis serovars.