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Elicitation of specific, Th1-biased immune response precludes skeletal muscle damage in cruzipain-vaccinated mice

Abstract:

Cruzipain (Cz), the major cystein proteinase of Trypanosoma cruzi, is able to induce protective immunity against parasite challenge. However, some concern has arisen regarding its potential to elicit pathogenic autoimmune reactivity. To determine whether the adverse myopathic effects of Cz-based immunization could be prevented, we evaluated the co-administration of Cz with different adjuvants. Mice were immunized with Cz adjuvantized by alum (Cz+alum), oligodeoxynucleotides containing CpG motifs (Cz+ODN-CpG) or Freund's preparation (Cz+CFA). Cz triggered a vigorous specific humoral response, irrespective of the adjuvant used. Alum mainly drove response towards Th2 phenotype, characterized by specific IgG1 antibodies and IL-10 induction, whereas Cz+ODN-CpG mice exhibited Th1-dominant immunity, with antibodies of the IgG2a isotype and enhanced IFN-γ production. Histological examination …