Taenia crassiceps cysticercosis: Variations in its parasite growth permissiveness that encounter with local immune features in BALB/c substrains

This study describes the first days of Taenia crassiceps infection in BALB/c substrains, BALB/cAnN and BALB/cJ, using two stocks of the same strains which were kept in different animal facilities, conventional and pathogen-free conditions, respectively. This study shows that parasite growth restriction shown by conventional BALB/cJ mice changed to parasite growth permissiveness when pathogen-free BALB/cJ mice were used. In addition, the higher number of macrophages, NK cells and intraperitoneal level of IFN-γ found in the conventional restrictive BALB/cJ substrain vanished when the permissiveness to the parasite growth increased. No differences were found in DNA sequences of parasites collected before and after the change in the permissiveness to parasite growth which favors the possibility that the observed modifications could be due to changes in the murine strains and/or their maintenance conditions.     

Leishmania infantum: mixed T-helper-1/T-helper-2 immune response in experimentally infected BALB/c mice

The main goal of the present study was to characterise the course of infection and immunological responses developed by Leishmania infantum infected BALB/c mice. Parasite load was determined by Real-time TaqMan PCR while cytokine and Immunoglobulin G (IgG) production were assessed by ELISA. Leishmania DNA was detected in spleen and liver as soon as day 1 post-inoculation (pi) and the parasitism was sustained until the end of the experiment. The cytokine kinetics in spleen and liver was generally associated with the oscillations of parasite load. Overall, it was not observed a distinct Th1 or Th2 pattern of cytokine production during the time of experiment. The infected mice developed a mixed immune response, with concomitant production of IFN-gamma, IL-4 and IL-10, both in spleen and liver, and both IgG isotypes. However, our results suggest that, compared to liver, the spleen is more susceptible to L. infantum infection.     

Pulmonary immune responses induced in BALB/c mice by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis conidia

Knowledge concerning the host–Paracoccidioides brasiliensis interactions is abundant. Yet, most of the experimental studies have used yeast cells to prepare the corresponding inoculum. As these cells do not represent the naturally infecting propagules, the corresponding experiments by-pass the earlier stages of such interactions. Studies done in patients, who also harbour yeast cells, suffer from the same bias. The review presented below focuses on the immune responses of BALB/c mice infected with conidia obtained from P. brasiliensis mycelial form cultures, the fungal stage most probably existing in nature. As such, the corresponding experiments would copy the onset and course of the human infection. A large number of experimental studies done by the CIB Medical and Experimental Mycology Unit in a period of almost 25 years have been revised and extracted so as to present a comprehensive record on the immune responses induced when mice are infected intranasally with the conidia. The establishment of this mouse model has permitted the analysis of the immune responses taking place during the early and late stages post-challenge. This unique model has made possible to characterize the course of the experimental disease including the inflammatory reaction, the expression of cytokines and of the various molecules associated to these responses, all of which lead to granuloma formation. The latter structure serves as a nest for the development of fibrosis. Thus, we have also obtained a glimpse on the complexity that accompanies the fibrosis, the most common sequelae of paracoccidioidomycosis. Additionally, a concerted effort has been made to appraise the whole gamut of immune factors and related molecules that directly or indirectly, contribute to shape the pathogenesis of this Latin American mycosis.     

Cross-protection between the metacestodes of Mesocestoides corti and Taenia crassiceps in mice

Novak M. 1984. Cross-protection between the metacestodes of Mesocestoides corti and Taenia crassiceps in mice. International Journal for Parasitology14: 497–501. Infection with M. corti generated significant resistance against a challenge with T. crassiceps introduced either 2 or 6 weeks after primary infection. Challenge infection with T. crassiceps did not influence primary infection with M. corti. Infection with T. crassiceps protected significantly against challenge with M. corti given 2 weeks but not 6 weeks after the primary infection. Challenge infection with M. corti significantly suppressed primary infection with T. crassiceps.     

Taenia crassiceps: Immunity to metacestodes in BALB/c and BDF1 mice

The kinetics of primary and secondary infections with Taenia crassiceps larvae and the effects of immune serum on T. crassiceps larvae were studied in BALB/c and BDF1 mice. In both strains of mice a substantial degree of resistance to reinfection comparable to that previously reported in C3H mice can be induced by subcutaneous injection of three larvae 3 weeks prior to intraperitoneal challenge infection. Both early immune damage in the absence of adherent host cells and encapsulation by host cells are involved in rejection of larvae by BALB/c and BDF1 mice, but in both of these strains early immune damage is less pronounced and the cellular encapsulation response considerably more prominent than in the C3H mice studied previously. This difference is also reflected in the effect of immune serum on T. crassiceps metacestodes in vitro: immune serum from BALB/c and BDF1 mice is less effective than immune serum taken from C3H mice at comparable times after challenge infection in mediating damage to T. crassiceps larvae in vitro in the absence of host cells. These results suggest that genetically determined differences in immune capability can alter the state of equilibrium existing among different immune effector mechanisms without producing measurable effects upon overall host resistance to reinfection.     

香菇多糖对急性弓形虫感染小鼠Th应答调节作用的实验研究

目的 探讨香菇多糖(Lentinan,Lent)对急性弓形虫感染小鼠BALB/c Th1/Th2免疫应答调节效应的影响.方法 对RH强毒株感染的BALB/c小鼠进行不同时间点的香菇多糖预处理,动态观察用药后各组感染小鼠的生存率;在感染后第0、3、5、8和10天提取小鼠的脾细胞,ELISA法检测脾细胞培养上清中IFN-γ和IL-10的分泌水平.结果 感染前6 d 1 mg/kg LNT用药组与药物未处理组相比显著提高了生存率;显著增强了Th1免疫应答中关键细胞因子IFN-γ和Th2免疫应答中关键细胞因子IL-10的分泌水平.结论 对急性弓形虫感染的BALB/c小鼠采用香菇多糖预处理之后能有效激发Th1/Th2型免疫应答的有效建立,对于抵抗弓形虫感染具有重要意义.     

Humoral immune responses induced by Kudoa sp. (Myxosporea: Multivalvulida) antigens in BALB/c mice

The majority of Kudoa species infect the somatic muscle of fish establishing cysts. As there is no effective method to detect infected fish without destroying them these parasited fish reach the consumer. This work was developed to determine whether this parasite contains antigenic compounds capable of provoking an immune response in laboratory animals, in order to consider the possible immunopathological effects in man by the ingestion of Kudoa infected fish. BALB/c mice were injected by the subcutaneous route with the following extracts suspended in aluminium hydroxide: group 1 (black Kudoa sp. pseudocyst extract), group 2 (white Kudoa sp. pseudocyst extract), and group 3 (non-infected hake meat extract). Specific antibody levels were measured by ELISA against homologous and heterologous antigens. The highest responses were obtained from the black Kudoa sp. pseudocyst extract (group 1).The low optic density levels detected in group 3 proved that the results obtained in groups 1 and 2 were a consequence of the parasitic extract injection. The IgG1 was the predominant subclass. IgE detected in groups 1 and 2 showed the possible allergenic nature of some of the components of the parasitic extract. High IgA levels and medium IgG2a and IgG3 levels were obtained in groups 1 and 2. Low IgG2b responses were shown. No cross-reactions between Kudoa sp. pseudocyst extracts and the non-infected hake meat extract were observed.     

Interleukin-18 enhances a Th2 biased response and susceptibility to Leishmania mexicana in BALB/c mice

Interleukin-18 deficient mice on a BALB/c background display increased resistance to cutaneous infection with Leishmania mexicana, with reduced lesion progression and reduced parasite burdens compared with wild-type mice. Infected IL-18-/- mice had lower antigen specific IgG1 levels and total IgE levels and conversely higher antigen specific IgG2a levels than similarly infected wild-type mice. Splenocytes isolated from infected IL-18-/- mice produced significantly lower levels of antigen induced IL-4 and higher levels of IFN-gamma than wild-type animals. Consequently IL-18 during L. mexicana infection of BALB/c mice promotes a Th2 biased response and thereby has a disease exacerbating role.     

Humoral immune responses induced by Gymnorhynchus gigas extracts in BALB/c mice.

The aim of this study was to determine if the plerocercoid larvae of Gymnorhynchus gigas, a common cestode of the ray's bream (Brama raii), possess antigenic compounds potentially capable of provoking anaphylactic episodes. A murine experimental model, using BALB/c mice, was developed to study the humoral immune response induced by G. gigas extracts. A highly specific humoral immune response was detected and cross-reactions were not observed between parasite and host antigens. The presence of IgM and IgG3 levels suggest the presence of thymus-independent antigens in the parasitic extract. The IgG antibody class showed the highest levels, with the IgG1 the predominant subclass. These IgG1 levels are in accordance with the supposed presence of a type I allergic reaction after the ingestion of G. gigas plerocercoids parasitizing fish, as well as inducing anaphylaxia in fish. These results indicate that somatic products released from ingested larvae of G. gigas could induce the development of a Th2 response capable of causing allergic disorders.     

Mimotope peptides selected from phage display combinatorial library by serum antibodies of pigs experimentally infected with Taenia solium as leads to developing diagnostic antigens for human neurocysticercosis

Neurocysticercosis is caused by penetration of the tapeworm Taenia solium larvae into the central nervous system resulting in a diverse range of neurologic complications including epilepsy in endemic areas that globalization spreads worldwide. Sensitive and specific immunodiagnosis is needed for the early detection and elimination of the parasite, but the lack of standardized, readily obtainable antigens is a challenge. Here, we used the phage display for resolving the problem. The rationale of the strategy rests on the concept that the screening of combinatorial libraries with polyclonal serum to pathogens reveals families of peptides mimicking the pathogen most immunodominant epitopes indispensable for the successful diagnosis. The screening of a 7mer library with serum IgG of four pigs experimentally infected with parasite followed by computer aided segregation of the selected sequences resulted in the discovery of four clusters of homologous sequences of which one presented a family of ten mimotopes selected by three infected pig serum IgGs; the common motif sequence LSPF carried by the family was considered to be the core of an immunodominant epitope of the parasite critical for the binding with the antibody that selected the mimotopes. The immunoassay testing permitted to select a mimotope whose synthetic peptide free of the phage with the amino acid sequence Leu-Ser-Fen-Pro-Ser-Val-Val that distinguished well a panel of 21 cerebrospinal fluids of neurocysticercosis patients from the fluids of individuals with neurological complications of other etiology. This peptide is proposed as a lead for developing a novel molecularly defined diagnostic antigen(s) for the neurocysticercosis.     

Th1 and Th2 cytokines in a self-healing primary pulmonary Aspergillus flavus infection in BALB/c mice

Some patients with Group A Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (StrepTSS) develop a unique form of cardiomyopathy characterized by global hypokinesia and reduced cardiac index. Here we investigated the immune responses of cardiomyocytes to Group A Streptococcus both in vivo and in vitro. Our data demonstrate that cardiomyocyte-derived cytokines are produced following both direct GAS stimulation and after exposure to GAS-activated inflammatory cells. These locally produced, cardiomyocyte-derived cytokines may mediate cardiac contractile dysfunction observed in patients with StrepTSS-associated cardiomyopathy and may hold the key to our ability to attenuate this severe complication.     

Specific IgE induced by Kudoa sp. (Myxosporea: Multivalvulida) antigens in BALB/c mice

The majority of Kudoa species infect the somatic muscle of fish establishing cysts. As there is no effective method to detect infected fish without destroying them, these parasited fish reach the consumer. We have developed this work to determine whether this parasite contains antigenic compounds capable of provoking an immune response in laboratory animals, in order to consider the possible immunopathological effects in man by the ingestion of Kudoa infected fish. BALB/c mice were injected by the subcutaneous route with the following extracts suspended in aluminium hydroxide: Group 1 (black Kudoa sp. pseudocyst extract), group 2 (white Kudoa sp. pseudocyst extract). Specific IgE levels were measured by ELISA. IgE detected in both groups 1 and 2 showed the possible allergenic nature of some of the components of the parasitic extracts.     

阿尔茨海默病核酸疫苗的构建及诱导体液免疫反应的初步研究

近年,内源性蛋白主动免疫预防和治疗阿尔茨海默病(AD)的策略成为AD研究领域的热点,并获得迅猛发展。构建了以β-片层结构的淀粉样蛋白(AB)及其可溶性与病理性突变体为抗原基因的DNA疫苗用于免疫小鼠,经过对免疫方案的探索和调整,结果能够打破其自身耐受,在外周血中诱发出较高滴度的抗-AB抗体。初步探讨了诱导体液免疫学效应的规律。并在原代培养的海马神经元AB毒性模型中验证了免疫后血清的生物学活性。     

Vaccination with recombinant Ascaris suum 24-kilodalton antigen induces a Th1/Th2-mixed type immune response and confers high levels of protection against challenged Ascaris suum lung-stage infection in BALB/c mice

Previous studies have shown that antigens from various life-cycle stages of Ascaris suum can induce host-protective immunity against challenge infections with infective eggs of A. suum. This study evaluated whether Escherichia coli-expressed recombinant 24-kDa antigen from A. suum (rAs24) was a suitable vaccine candidate for the control of Ascaris infections by examining its performance in a mouse model. Immunization of BALB/c mice in three consecutive doses with rAs24 in Freund's Complete Adjuvant (FCA) results in protection against challenge infections as manifested by a 58% reduction (P<0.001) in recovery and stunted development of A. suum lung-stage larvae at day 7 post-challenge. Sera obtained from immune protected mice had a significantly increased level of immunoglobulin G (IgG) (P<0.0001) but had no IgE response. Analysis of IgG-subclass profiles revealed that IgG1 (P<0.0001) showed the greatest increase followed by IgG2b (P<0.005), IgG2a (P<0.006) and IgG3 (P<0.04). Splenic T cells from rAs24-FCA immunized mice secreted significantly high levels of both Th1 cytokine gamma-interferon (P<0.005) and Th2 cytokine interleukin-10 (P<0.001) after stimulation with rAs24 in vitro. Interestingly, affinity purified anti-rAs24 IgG was shown to inhibit moulting of A. suum lung-stage L3 to L4 in vitro by 26%, indicating an in vivo function of the endogenous As24 in the moulting processes. An intense expression of endogenous As24 in the hypodermis and gut epithelium of A. suum lung-stage L3 by immunofluorescence supports a function for endogenous As24. These findings may contribute to the understanding of rAs24-induced Th1/Th2-mediated effector mechanisms required for the protection of A. suum lung-stage larval infection.     

Immunogenicity is unrelated to protective immunity when induced by soluble and particulate antigens from Nocardia brasiliensis in BALB/c mice

Cell-mediated immunity plays a major role in protection against intracellular microbes. Nocardia brasiliensis is a facultative intracellular pathogen that causes chronic actinomycetoma. In this work, we injected BALB/c mice with soluble P24 and particulate antigens from N. brasiliensis. A higher antibody titer and lymphocyte proliferation was induced by the particulate antigen than by the soluble antigen. However, five months after antigen injection, antibody concentration and lymphocyte proliferation were similar. An increase in CD45R and CD4 T cells was unrelated to protective immunity. Active immunization with soluble or particulate antigens induced complete protection during the primary immune response. This protective response was IgM mediated. The higher immunogenicity was not related to protective immunity since the particulate antigen induced protection similar to the soluble antigen. Using particulate antigens for vaccination guarantees a stronger immune response, local and systemic side effects, but not necessarily protection.     

Effects of a commercial malathion dip preparation on the cellular and humoral immune response of BALB/c mice

Because of the widespread use of malathion as a treatment for ectoparasitism, a study was undertaken to determine the effects of a malathion dip preparation on the BALB/c mouse immune system. Mice were treated with either 2% (recommended dosage) or 8% solutions of malathion or a water control. The cellular immune response was evaluated by in vitro exposure of lymphocytes to mitogens, and the humoral immune response was assessed by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to quantify antibody production against sheep red blood cells (SRBC). Responses to the mitogens and to the SRBC were not significantly different between 2% and 8% malathion treated and water treated mice. Results indicated that malathion did not affect these two aspects of the mouse immune system when used as a 2% or 8% dipping solution.     

重组CHO细胞乙肝表面抗原诱导小鼠细胞免疫应答的研究

为了研究重组CHO细胞乙肝表面抗原(CHO-rHBsAg)在小鼠中诱导T细胞免疫应答的能力,全面评价疫苗的免疫原性,以CHO-rHBsAg免疫BALB/c小鼠,常规制备小鼠脾脏淋巴细胞并在体外以抗原或特异多肽刺激;采用ELISA法测定抗原特异性T淋巴细胞分泌的细胞因子,乳酸脱氢酶法(LDH)测定抗原特异性细胞毒T淋巴细胞(CTL)活性,酶联斑点法(ELISPOT)测定CTL频数(CTLp),应用流式细胞仪分析T淋巴细胞亚群。结果显示,rHBsAg可在小鼠中诱导Th1及Th2类细胞因子;加铝佐剂的rHBsAg较未加佐剂的抗原可诱导较高水平的IFN-γ、CTL克隆及较高百分比的CD8+T淋巴细胞亚群。重组CHO细胞来源的HBsAg可在BALB/c小鼠中诱导一定程度的细胞免疫应答。