Induction of protective immune response in mice by a DNA vaccine encoding Trypanosoma evansi beta tubulin gene

Vet Parasitol. 2012 Jun 8;187(1-2):9-16. doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.01.009. Epub 2012 Jan 9.

Abstract

Surra, caused by Trypanosoma evansi, is an economically important veterinary disease of the tropics. Lack of effective drugs or vaccines have made surra a severe economic burden particularly in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, a naked DNA construct encoding full length T. evansi beta (β) tubulin gene was used to immunize mice, to elicit a T. evansi β tubulin protein specific humoral immune response, delineated by ELISA. The serum cytokine profile post immunization, as determined by flow cytometry bead based assay, showed a predominant T helper cell Type 1 (Th1) response with significant increase in levels of IFNγ and TNFα. Lethal challenge with T. evansi blood-form trypomastigotes post immunization generated a β tubulin specific recall response and a stronger Th1 type serum cytokine profile which correlated with an extended survival and better control of parasitemia in the immunized mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • DNA, Recombinant / genetics
  • DNA, Recombinant / immunology
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunoglobulin G / classification
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Mice
  • Protozoan Vaccines / immunology*
  • Trypanosoma / genetics*
  • Trypanosoma / immunology
  • Trypanosomiasis / parasitology
  • Trypanosomiasis / prevention & control*
  • Tubulin / genetics
  • Tubulin / immunology*
  • Vaccines, DNA / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan
  • Cytokines
  • DNA, Recombinant
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Protozoan Vaccines
  • Tubulin
  • Vaccines, DNA