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Use of a purified Trypanosoma cruzi antigen and CpG oligodeoxynucleotides for immunoprotection against a lethal challenge with trypomastigotes

Abstract:

The crucial role played by Ag163B6/cruzipain, the major cystein proteinase of Trypanosoma cruzi, in the process of parasite internalization into mammalian cells and IgG hydrolysis, signals this antigen as a potential target for raising a protective immune response against Chagas’ disease. On the other hand, synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides containing CpG-motifs (CpG-ODN) are capable of driving immunity toward a Th1 bias. Considering the importance of Th1 mechanisms in resistance against this intracellular parasite, we analyzed the ability of Ag163B6/cruzipain plus CpG-ODN to induce immunoprotection against a lethal challenge with trypomastigotes. Mice were immunized with Ag163B6+CpG-ODN showing high specific antibody titers, mostly IgG2a. Spleen cells from these mice strongly proliferated and presented significant increase of IL-2 and IFN-γ concentrations in their supernatant upon antigen …