Structural identification of a key protective B-cell epitope in lyme disease antigen OspA

Outer surface protein A (OspA) is a major lipoprotein of the Borrelia burgo rferi spirochete, the causative agent of Lyme disease. Vaccination with Osp A generates an immune response that can prevent bacterial transmission to a mammalian host during the attachment of an infected tick. However, the pro tective capacity of immune sera cannot be predicted by measuring total anti -OspA antibody. The murine monoclonal antibody LA-2 defines an important pr otective B-cell epitope of OspA against which protective sera have strong l evels of reactivity. We have now mapped the LA-2 epitope of OspA using both NMR chemical-shift perturbation measurements in solution and X-ray crystal structure determination. LA-2 recognizes the three surface-exposed loops o f the C-terminal domain of OspA that are on the tip of the elongated molecu le most distant from the lipid-modified N terminus. The structure suggests that the natural variation at OspA sequence position 208 in the first loop is a major limiting factor for antibody cross-reactivity between different Lyme disease-causing Borrelia strains. The unusual Fab-dominated lattice of the crystal also permits a rare view of antigen flexibility within an anti gen:antibody complex. These results provide a rationale for improvements in OspA-based vaccines and suggest possible designs for more direct tests of antibody protective levels in vaccinated individuals. (C) 2000 Academic Pre ss.