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Rectal Administration of Leishmania Cells Elicits a Specific, Th1-Associated IgG2a Response in Mice: New Perspectives for Mucosal Vaccination against Leishmaniasis, after the Repurposing of a Study on an Anti-Viral Vaccine Candidate

Authors :
Ilaria Varotto-Boccazzi
Sara Epis
Giulia Maria Cattaneo
Noemi Guerrini
Alessandro Manenti
Diego Rubolini
Paolo Gabrieli
Domenico Otranto
Gianvincenzo Zuccotti
Emanuele Montomoli
Claudio Bandi
Source :
Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, Vol 8, Iss 8, p 406 (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2023.

Abstract

The mucosal immune system plays a pivotal role in the control of infections, as it represents the first line of defense against most pathogens, from respiratory viruses to intestinal parasites. Mucosal vaccination is thus regarded as a promising strategy to protect animals, including humans, from infections that are acquired by ingestion, inhalation or through the urogenital system. In addition, antigens delivered at the mucosal level can also elicit systemic immune responses. Therefore, mucosal vaccination is potentially effective also against systemic infections acquired through non-mucosal routes, for example, through the bite of hematophagous insects, as in the case of leishmaniasis, a widespread disease that affects humans and dogs. Here, we explored the potential of antigen rectal administration for the generation of anti-Leishmania immunity. Mice were immunized through rectal administration of whole cells of the model parasite Leishmania tarentolae (using a clone engineered to express the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus generated in a previous study). A specific anti-Leishmania IgG antibody response was detected. In addition, the recorded IgG2a/IgG1 ratio was higher than that of animals injected subcutaneously; therefore, suggesting a shift to a Th1-biased immune response. Considering the importance of a Th1 polarization as a protective response against Leishmania infections, we suggest that further investigation should be focused on the development of novel types of vaccines against these parasites based on rectal immunization.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
24146366
Volume :
8
Issue :
8
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.1b176150273b40d081e7ba0156602945
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed8080406