# Project 1. Nanolipoprotein-supported multi-subunit vaccine for Chlamydia trachomatis

> **NIH NIH U19** · LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC · 2023 · $523,105

## Abstract

Project Title: Nanolipoprotein supported multi-subunit vaccine to Chlamydia trachomatis
Project Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI), affecting over 130
million people every year, and is the most common cause of preventable blindness worldwide. In the United
States, STIs caused by C. trachomatis account for billions of dollars in annual costs (Gunn et al. 1998). Because
the infection can be asymptomatic, it may go untreated for years and can result in long-term sequelae,
including pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic abdominal pain, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. Therefore,
the pressing public health need for a vaccine to prevent diseases caused by C. trachomatis is clear. Despite
considerable efforts to develop a chlamydial vaccine, none have been forthcoming. Studies have shown that
immunization with the Chlamydia major outer membrane protein (MOMP) can induce significant protection
against infection and disease in both mice and non-human primates if its native structure is preserved.
However, formulation of MOMP vaccines is a major hurdle given that this protein has 16 transmembrane
domains, is 40% hydrophobic, assembles as a homotrimer, and contains multiple cysteines that can form
disulfide bridges. We have now demonstrated that we can produce a multi-oligomeric, SDS-resistant, and
active form of MOMP using nanolipoprotein particles (NLPs). Furthermore, for the first time we can also
produce full-length Chlamydia polymorphic membrane proteins (Pmps), another group of chlamydia surface
antigens that have shown potent immunogenicity. The encoded proteins can be engineered to be serovar
specific to make multi-serovar vaccines for mitigating affects associated with Chlamydia trachomatis
pathogenicity. Finally, we have developed methods to combine MOMP with adjuvants to provide a unique
vaccine formulation that was protective in mouse challenge studies. This initial breakthrough was achieved by
combining synthetic biology approaches and cell-free co-expression of MOMP and PMPs with apolipoproteins.
This proposal is focused on further extending MOMP presentation with associated PMPs, all formulated within
NLPs, to achieve a highly protective vaccine against Chlamydia infections.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10694901
- **Project number:** 5U19AI144184-05
- **Recipient organization:** LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** Matthew Adrian Coleman
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $523,105
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-08-08 → 2025-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10694901

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10694901, Project 1. Nanolipoprotein-supported multi-subunit vaccine for Chlamydia trachomatis (5U19AI144184-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10694901. Licensed CC0.

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