Open AccessTh1‐type immune response to a Coccidioides immitis antigen delivered by an attenuated strain of the non‐invasive enteropathogen Vibrio cholerae
Author(s) -
Silva Anisia J.,
Benitez Jorge A.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1016/j.femsim.2004.10.001
Subject(s) - coccidioides immitis , biology , vibrio cholerae , microbiology and biotechnology , immune system , antigen , coccidioides , immunogenicity , vibrionaceae , antibody , virology , vibrio , immunology , bacteria , genetics
The antigen‐2 or proline rich antigen (Ag2/PRA) from Coccidioides immitis , known to protect mice against experimental Coccidioidomycosis, was expressed in the genetically attenuated cholera vaccine candidate Vibrio cholerae 638 and its thymine auxotrophic derivative 638T. Intranasal immunization of mice with strains producing Ag2/PRA induced serum vibriocidal antibody and Ag2/PRA‐specific total IgG responses in outbred Swiss Webster and inbred BALB/c mice. Analysis of IgG subclasses showed a predominance of IgG2a subclass antibodies. Lymphocytes from immunized mice stimulated with pure Ag2/PRA showed a significant proliferative response with production of interferon‐γ. Positive selection for plasmid maintenance in vivo did not enhance immune response to Ag2/PRA. These results demonstrate that genetically attenuated strains of the non‐invasive pathogen V. cholerae can be used to express and deliver foreign antigens to stimulate a Th1 type of immune response.