Analysis of humoral and cellular immune responses of BALB / c mice immunized with pVAX1 plasmid containing the gene encoding the iron superoxide dismutase antigen of Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis

• Grant number: 12/07170-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2012
• End date: December 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Pathological Anatomy and Clinical Pathology
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Felipe Domingues Passero
• Grantee: Jéssica Adriana de Jesus
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The antigens released by parasites are interesting targets for the development of vaccine candidates, as are the first molecules to interact with the innate immune system and establish an intrinsic physiological interaction with the host cell. Therefore, these antigens have been targets for the development of vaccines against cutaneous leishmaniasis, visceral canine, and murine, respectively. Even with the recent publication of the secretome of Leishmania Donovan has become possible to develop better-defined vaccine candidates against this tropical disease, however, a factor that limits their development is the efficiency of this type of antigen for further purification. Thus, DNA vaccines become a good way to overcome this problem the protein purification, since the target proteins are expressed in vivo. In this proposal, will analyze the cellular and humoral immune responses of BALB / c mice immunized with pVAX1 plasmid containing the gene encoding the antigen iron superoxide dismutase of L. (L.) amazonensis. BALB / c mice are immunized with the DNA vaccine three times at intervals of 15 days intramuscularly. After 7 days the last vaccination, serum, lymph nodes, and spleen of animals will be collected. A cell suspension is produced from the lymphoid organs, which will be released and stimulated with antigen for a total period of 72h. After this period the analysis of IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-gama, and TNF-alfa is analyzed. The levels of total IgG, IgG1, and IgG2 anti-Leishmania be evaluated in the serum of experimental animals. This project aims to contribute to the IC understanding of the action of DNA vaccines produced against Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in experimental murine infection.(AU)