Therapeutic effect of DNA vaccine encoding the 60-kDa-heat shock protein from Paracoccidoides brasiliensis on experimental paracoccidioidomycosis in mice

Author(s)

Souza, Igor Emiliano L. ^[1] ; Fernandes, Fabricio F. ^[2] ; Schiavoni, Maria Cristina L. ^[1] ; Silva, Celio L. ^[1] ; Panunto-Castelo, Ademilson ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Paulista, BR-14024270 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Philosophy Sci & Letters Ribeirao Preto, Dept Biol, Av Bandeirantes 3900, BR-14040901 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Vaccine; v. 37, n. 37, p. 5607-5613, SEP 3 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis autochthonous to Latin America and endemic to Brazil, which has the majority of the PCM cases. PCM is acquired through the inhalation of propagules of fungi from genus Paracoccidioides spp. and mainly affects the lungs. We have previously shown that P. brasiliensis-infected mice treated with single-dose of recombinant 60-kDa-heat shock protein from P. brasiliensis (rPbHsp60) had a worsening infection in comparison to animals only infected. In this study, we investigate whether the treatment of infected mice with PB\_HSP60 gene cloned into a plasmid (pVAX1-PB\_HSP60) would result in efficient immune response and better control of the disease. The harmful impact of single-dose therapy with protein was not seen with plasmid preparations. Most importantly, three doses of pVAX1-PB\_HSP60 and protein induced a beneficial effect in experimental PCM with a reduction in fungal load and lung injury when compared with infected mice treated with pVAX1 or PBS. The increase of the cytokines IFN-gamma, TNF, and IL-17 and the decrease of IL-10 observed after treatment with three doses of pVAX1-PB\_HSP60 appears to be responsible for the control of infection. These results open perspectives of the therapeutic use of Hsp60 in PCM. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/01390-8 - Evaluation of plasmid DNA vaccine containing the gene of 60kDa heat shock protein from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis as therapy against experimental paracoccidiodomycosis in mice
• Grantee: Ademilson Panunto-Castelo
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants