Dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB-BF) as a new adjuvant for maternal-fetal immunization in mice against &ITNeisseria meningitidis&IT: evaluation of humoral response

Author(s)

de Almeida, Adriana Freitas ^{[1, 2]} ; De Gaspari, Elizabeth ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Ciencias Biomed, Programa Posgrad Interunidades Biotecnol, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Dept Imunol, Av Dr Arnaldo 355, 11 Andar, BR-01246902 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PATHOGENS AND DISEASE; v. 76, n. 1 FEB 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 3

Abstract

Neisseria meningitidis bacterium is a Gram-negative diplococcus. Among their serogroups, the B is one of the main causes of invasive meningococcal disease. Newborns and children are particularly susceptible to this infection because of their immune systems that are still maturing and relatively inexperienced. Thus, further studies on the use of maternal immunization for protection against this disease are needed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential immunogenic antigens from the outer membrane of N. meningitidis serogroup B in outbred mice and the influence of maternal immunization in the offspring, and analyze the adjuvant effect of bilayer fragments of dioctadecyldimethylamonium bromide (DODAB-BF) and hydroxide aluminium (alum) in enhancing antibodies production and transference to offspring. IgG and IgG1, IgG2a and IgG2b subclasses of antibodies in serum from immunized mice and controls were quantified and compared. Immunization by subcutaneous and intramuscular routes exhibited evidence of IgG, and both adjuvants promoted the production of IgG1 and IgG2b that were transferred to the offspring. These antibodies also showed specificity with the outer membrane vesicles from homologous strain and were capable to cross react with different strains. The use of DODAB-BF seems to enhance immune response on mothers and offspring and may have immunological advantages. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/11147-2 - Study of the immunogenicity of outer membrane antigens of Neisseria meningitidis and interaction with cationic lipids: evaluation of different immunization schedules in different strains of mice
• Grantee: Luciana Tendolini Brito
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 12/15568-0 - Study of the immunogenicity of outer membrane antigens of Neisseria meningitidis and interaction with cationic lipids: evaluation of different immunization schedules in different strains of mice
• Grantee: Elizabeth Natal de Gaspari
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants