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Effect of environmental mycobacteria (Mycobacterium avium) on immunity induced by a DNA vaccine (DNAhsp65) against tuberculosis

THESIS

Effect of environmental mycobacteria (Mycobacterium avium) on immunity induced by a DNA vaccine (DNAhsp65) against tuberculosis

Douglas Rodrigues Martins

Correspondence to Correspondence to: Douglas Rodrigues Martins Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia Instituto de Biociências de Botucatu 18618-970, Botucatu, SP, Brazil Phones: +55 (14) 3811 6058 and +55 (14) 3811 6240 Email: douglasgta@yahoo.com.br

Thesis: D. R. Martins submitted this dissertation for his Masters in Science at the Department of Tropical Diseases, Botucatu School of Medicine, São Paulo State University, UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil, 2006.

Advisor: Professor Alexandrina Sartori

ABSTRACT

The efficacy of BCG vaccine (attenuated Mycobacterium bovis) against pulmonary tuberculosis varies enormously among different populations. The prevailing hypothesis attributes this variation to interactions between the vaccine and mycobacteria common in the environment. Studies have revealed that most protective antigens expressed by the antituberculous vaccine are conserved in M. avium, supporting the hypothesis that exposure to environmental mycobacteria generates a cross-reactive immune response that interferes with BCG efficacy. In this study we investigated the effect of a prior exposure to heat-killed M. avium on the immune response and the protective efficacy induced by a genetic vaccine pVAXhsp65 (hsp65 gene from M. leprae inserted in pVAX vector) against experimental tuberculosis. To evaluate the effect on the immune response, female BALB/c mice were initially injected with distinct doses (0.08x106, 4x106, and 200x106) of heat-killed M. avium by subcutaneous route. Three weeks later, the animals were immunized with 3 doses of DNAhsp65 by intramuscular route (100µg/15 days apart). Control groups received only M. avium, vaccine (pVAXhsp65), vector (pVAX) or saline solution. Cytokine production and antibody levels were determined by ELISA. To evaluate the effect on the protective efficacy, animals were initially sensitized with 200x106 heat-killed CFU of M. avium by subcutaneous route and then immunized with 3 doses of pVAXhsp65 (100µg/15 days apart) by intramuscular route. Control groups were injected with saline, pVAX (4 doses), pVAXhsp65 (4 doses), M. avium or M. avium plus pVAX (3 doses). Fifteen days after last DNA dose, the animals were infected with 1x104 viable CFU of H37Rv M. tuberculosis by intratracheal route. Thirty days after challenge, the animals were sacrificed and the bacterial burden was determined by counting the number of CFU in the lungs. Lung histological sections were also analyzed. Splenic cells from primed animals produced more IL-5 but less IFN-gamma than non-primed ones. Also, prior contact with M. avium determined higher production of IgG1 and IgG2a anti-hsp65 antibodies in comparison to control groups. However, this higher immune response did not decrease the bacterial burden in the lungs. In addition, prior sensitization with M. avium decreased the parenchyma preservation observed in the group immunized only with pVaxhsp65. These results indicate that environmental mycobacteria can interfere with immunity and protective efficacy induced by DNAhsp65.

Key words: hsp65, mycobacterium, Mycobacterium avium, tuberculosis, genetic vaccine.

  • Correspondence to:
    Douglas Rodrigues Martins
    Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia
    Instituto de Biociências de Botucatu
    18618-970, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
    Phones: +55 (14) 3811 6058 and +55 (14) 3811 6240
    Email:
  • Publication Dates

    • Publication in this collection
      11 Jan 2007
    • Date of issue
      2006
    Centro de Estudos de Venenos e Animais Peçonhentos (CEVAP/UNESP) Av. Universitária, 3780, Fazenda Lageado, Botucatu, SP, CEP 18610-034, Brasil, Tel.: +55 14 3880-7693 - Botucatu - SP - Brazil
    E-mail: editorial.jvatitd@unesp.br