Open AccessThe Mycobacterium tuberculosis recombinant LprN protein of mce4 operon induces Th‐1 type response deleterious to protection in mice
Author(s) -
Pasricha Rashmi,
Saini Neeraj K.,
Rathor Nisha,
Pathak Rakesh,
Sinha Rajesh,
VarmaBasil Mandira,
Mishra Kiran,
Brahmachari Vani,
Bose Mridula
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
pathogens and disease
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.983
H-Index - 105
ISSN - 2049-632X
DOI - 10.1111/2049-632x.12200
Subject(s) - biology , virulence , microbiology and biotechnology , mycobacterium tuberculosis , immunogen , immune system , innate immune system , recombinant dna , tuberculosis vaccines , immunity , acquired immune system , virology , escherichia coli , antigen , tuberculosis , immunology , gene , antibody , genetics , medicine , pathology , monoclonal antibody
Lipoproteins are known to be effective immunogens and affect both innate and adaptive immunity. The lprN gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been predicted to encode for a putative lipoprotein in silico . Here, we studied its function as an immunogen by in vivo studies in mice. The recombinant LprN protein, expressed and purified in Escherichia coli , triggered a cell‐mediated immune response in BALB /c mice. This was observed by significantly higher T‐cell proliferation and increased production of TNF ‐α and IFN ‐γ cytokines. However, pre‐exposure to LprN protein failed to provide protection in mice after challenge with a virulent strain of M. tuberculosis . Histological examination showed an increase in tissue destruction in experimental animals, indicating an immunogenic potential for LprN protein that enhanced the virulence of bacilli.