A pcDNA-Ehcpadh vaccine against Entamoeba histolytica elicits a protective Th1-like response in hamster liver

Vaccine. 2009 Jun 24;27(31):4176-86. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.04.051. Epub 2009 May 9.

Abstract

DNA vaccines are promising tools to fight parasitic diseases, including amoebiasis caused by the protozoan Entamoeba histolytica. Here we studied the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a DNA vaccine against this parasite composed by the EhCPADH surface complex encoding genes (Ehcp112 and Ehadh112). EhCPADH is formed by an adhesin (EhADH112) and a cysteine proteinase (EhCP112), both involved in the parasite virulence. We evaluated transcription, protein expression, immunological response and protection against hepatic amoebiasis in hamsters intradermally and intramuscularly immunized with a mixture of pcDNA-Ehadh112 and pcDNA-Ehcp112 plasmids. RT-PCR and immunohistochemical assays showed that both antigens were differentially expressed in spleen and liver of immunized animals. No significant antibody immune response was induced by either route. However, intradermally inoculated hamsters presented a robust Th1-like immune response, characterized by high levels of INF-gamma and TNF-alpha cytokines, detected in the liver of animals challenged with virulent trophozoites. Animals showed significant protection against amoebiasis manifested by a higher survival rate and a significant prevention of liver abscess formation. We conclude that a refinement of this DNA vaccine could be a good choice to control hepatic amoebiasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
  • Antigens, Protozoan / genetics
  • Antigens, Protozoan / immunology
  • Cricetinae
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases / genetics
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases / immunology
  • Entamoeba histolytica / immunology*
  • Entamoebiasis / prevention & control*
  • Injections, Intradermal
  • Injections, Intramuscular
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Liver / immunology*
  • Male
  • Mesocricetus
  • Plasmids
  • Protozoan Proteins / genetics
  • Protozoan Proteins / immunology*
  • Protozoan Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Protozoan Vaccines / immunology*
  • Survival Analysis
  • Th1 Cells / immunology*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism
  • Vaccines, DNA / administration & dosage
  • Vaccines, DNA / genetics
  • Vaccines, DNA / immunology*
  • Virulence Factors / genetics
  • Virulence Factors / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan
  • Antigens, Protozoan
  • Protozoan Proteins
  • Protozoan Vaccines
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Vaccines, DNA
  • Virulence Factors
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases