Protection against Amoebic Liver Abscess in Hamster by Intramuscular Immunization with an Autographa californica Baculovirus Driving the Expression of the Gal-Lectin LC3 Fragment

Biomed Res Int. 2015:2015:760598. doi: 10.1155/2015/760598. Epub 2015 May 19.

Abstract

In a previous study, we demonstrated that oral immunization using Autographa californica baculovirus driving the expression of the Gal-lectin LC3 fragment (AcNPV-LC3) of Entamoeba histolytica conferred protection against ALA development in hamsters. In this study, we determined the ability of AcNPV-LC3 to protect against ALA by the intramuscular route as well as the liver immune response associated with protection. Results showed that 55% of hamsters IM immunized with AcNPV-LC3 showed sterile protection against ALA, whereas other 20% showed reduction in the size and extent of abscesses, resulting in some protection in 75% of animals compared to the sham control group. Levels of protection showed a linear correlation with the development and intensity of specific antiamoeba cellular and humoral responses, evaluated in serum and spleen of hamsters, respectively. Evaluation of the Th1/Th2 cytokine patterns expressed in the liver of hamsters showed that sterile protection was associated with the production of high levels of IFNγ and IL-4. These results suggest that the baculovirus system is equally efficient by the intramuscular as well as the oral routes for ALA protection and that the Gal-lectin LC3 fragment is a highly protective antigen against hepatic amoebiasis through the local induction of IFNγ and IL-4.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Protozoan / immunology
  • Baculoviridae / immunology*
  • Cricetinae
  • Entamoeba histolytica / drug effects
  • Entamoeba histolytica / immunology
  • Immunization*
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Liver Abscess, Amebic / immunology*
  • Liver Abscess, Amebic / pathology
  • Liver Abscess, Amebic / prevention & control
  • Protozoan Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Protozoan Vaccines / immunology

Substances

  • Antigens, Protozoan
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Protozoan Vaccines