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Analysis of iron superoxide dismutase‐encoding DNA vaccine on the evolution of the Leishmania amazonensis experimental infection
Author(s) -
Campos B. L. S.,
Silva T. N.,
Ribeiro S. P.,
Carvalho K. I. L.,
KallÁs E. G.,
Laurenti M. D.,
Passero L. F. D.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
parasite immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1365-3024
pISSN - 0141-9838
DOI - 10.1111/pim.12206
Subject(s) - immunogenicity , biology , immune system , dna vaccination , immunology , cd8 , superoxide dismutase , immunity , leishmania , virology , immunization , parasite hosting , enzyme , world wide web , computer science , biochemistry
Summary The present work aimed to evaluate the immunogenicity of Leishmania amazonensis iron superoxide dismutase ( SOD )‐encoding DNA experimental vaccine and the protective properties of this DNA vaccine during infection. The SOD gene was subcloned into the pVAX 1 plasmid, and it was used to immunize BALB /c mice. Twenty‐one days after the last immunization, mice were sacrificed (immunogenicity studies) or subcutaneously challenged with L. amazonensis (studies of protection), and alterations in cellular and humoral immune responses were evaluated, as well as the course of infection. Mice only immunized with pVAX 1‐ SOD presented increased frequencies of CD 4 + IFN ‐γ + , CD 8 + IFN ‐γ + and CD 8 + IL ‐4 + lymphocytes; moreover, high levels of IgG2a were detected. After challenge, mice that were immunized with pVAX 1‐ SOD had increased frequencies of the CD 4 + IL ‐4 + , CD 8 + IFN ‐γ + and CD 8 + IL ‐4 + T lymphocytes. In addition, the lymph node cells produced high amounts of IFN ‐γ and IL ‐4 cytokines. Increased IgG2a was also detected. The pattern of immunity induced by pVAX 1‐ SOD partially protected the BALB /c mice from a challenge with L. amazonensis , as the animals presented reduced parasitism and lesion size when compared to controls. Taken together, these results indicate that leishmanial SOD modulates the lymphocyte response, and that the elevation in IFN ‐γ possibly accounted for the decreased skin parasitism observed in immunized animals.