Immune responses of meningococcal B outer membrane vesicles in middle-aged mice

Author(s)

de Lima, Gabriela Trzewikoswki ^{[1, 2]} ; Rodrigues, Thais Sousa ^[1] ; Portilho, Amanda Izeli ^{[1, 2]} ; Correa, Victor Araujo ^{[1, 2]} ; Gaspar, Emanuelle Baldo ^[3] ; De Gaspari, Elizabeth ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Adolfo Lutz Inst, Dept Immunol, Av Dr Arnaldo 355, 11 Floor, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Interunits Postgrad Program Biotechnol, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[3] Embrapa Southern Reg Anim Husb, Bage, RS - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PATHOGENS AND DISEASE; v. 78, n. 5 JUL 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

The elderly are more likely to die when infected with Neisseria meningitidis. Aging is associated with immune system dysfunctions that impair responses to vaccines and infections. Therefore, immunization of middle-aged individuals could be beneficial. This study aims to evaluate the immunogenicity of N. meningitidis B outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) complexed to two different adjuvants. Middle-aged BALB/c and A/Sn mice were immunized and subsequent immune response was assessed by ELISA, immunoblotting and ELISpot. IgG levels were similar between the animals immunized with OMVs complexed to adjuvants. A total of 235 days after the last immunization only A/Sn mice presented higher IgG levels than those observed in the baseline, especially the group immunized with OMVs and aluminum hydroxide. The predominant IgG subclasses were IgG2a and IgG2b. Immunization with the three-dose regimen generated IgG antibodies that recognized a variety of antigens present in the homologous and heterologous meningococcal OMVs evaluated. There was an increase in the frequency of antigen-specific IFN-gamma secreting splenocytes, after in vitro stimulation, in mice immunized with OMVs and adjuvants compared to the control group, almost 1 year after the last immunization. Both adjuvants showed similar performance. Immunization of middle-aged mice has generated a robust immune response and it appears to be advantageous. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/17945-1 - Comparative study of ELISA and ELISPOT techniques in the detection of antibodies IgG, IgM in isogenic strains of elderly mice
• Grantee: Thais Sousa Rodrigues
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 19/02042-9 - Evaluation of response profiles of Th1 and Th2 in mice immunized with anionic and cationic lipids complexed the outer membrane vesicles of Neisseria meningitis b
• Grantee: Victor Araujo Correa
• 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
• 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: 18/04202-0 - Study of the immunogenicity of outer membrane antigens of Neisseria meningitidis and interaction with cationic lipids: evaluation of new adjuvant for Neisseria meningitidis in different strains of elderly mice
• Grantee: Elizabeth Natal de Gaspari
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants