Analysis of iron superoxide dismutase-encoding DNA vaccine on the evolution of the Leishmania amazonensis experimental infection

Author(s)

Campos, B. L. S. ^[1] ; Silva, T. N. ^[1] ; Ribeiro, S. P. ^{[2, 3]} ; Carvalho, K. I. L. ^[2] ; Kallas, E. G. ^{[2, 3]} ; Laurenti, M. D. ^[1] ; Passero, L. F. D. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Med, Lab Pathol Infect Dis LIM50, BR-01246000 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Med, Lab Clin Immunol & Allergy LIM60, BR-01246000 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Inst Invest Immunol Iii INCT, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PARASITE IMMUNOLOGY; v. 37, n. 8, p. 407-416, AUG 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 14

Abstract

The present work aimed to evaluate the immunogenicity of Leishmania amazonensis iron superoxide dismutase (SOD) -encoding DNA experimental vaccine and the protective properties of this DNA vaccine during infection. The SOD gene was subcloned into the pVAX1 plasmid, and it was used to immunize BALB/c mice. Twenty-one days after the last immunization, mice were sacrificed (immunogenicity studies) or subcutaneously challenged with L. amazonensis (studies of protection), and alterations in cellular and humoral immune responses were evaluated, as well as the course of infection. Mice only immunized with pVAX1-SOD presented increased frequencies of CD4(+) IFN-gamma(+), CD8(+) IFN- gamma(+) and CD8(+) IL-4(+) lymphocytes; moreover, high levels of IgG2a were detected. After challenge, mice that were immunized with pVAX1-SOD had increased frequencies of the CD4(+) IL- 4(+), CD8(+) IFN-gamma(+) and CD8(+) IL-4(+) T lymphocytes. In addition, the lymph node cells produced high amounts of IFN-gamma and IL-4 cytokines. Increased IgG2a was also detected. The pattern of immunity induced by pVAX1-SOD partially protected the BALB/c mice from a challenge with L. amazonensis, as the animals presented reduced parasitism and lesion size when compared to controls. Taken together, these results indicate that leishmanial SOD modulates the lymphocyte response, and that the elevation in IFN-gamma possibly accounted for the decreased skin parasitism observed in immunized animals. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/05219-8 - Analysis of immunogenicity and protection generated by third-generation vaccines pVAX1-FSD and pVAX1-SP against experimental American Tegumentar Leishmanasis
• Grantee: Bruno Luiz Soares Campos
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 12/10409-0 - Studies of the immunogenic and protective properties of third generation vaccines against american tegumentar leishmaniasis
• Grantee: Luiz Felipe Domingues Passero
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 11/51157-1 - DNA vaccines against American tegumentary leishmaniasis
• Grantee: Luiz Felipe Domingues Passero
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate