Document Type : Original Article
Authors
- Ahmad Mehravaran 1
- Mahmoud Reza Jaafari 2
- Seyed Amir Jalali 3
- Ali Khamesipour 4
- Mohsen Tafaghodi 1
- Mansure Hojatizade 1
- Azam Abbasi 1
- Ali Badiee 1
1 Nanotechnology Research Center, School of Pharmacy
2 Nanotechnology Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad
3 Department of Immunology, Medical School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences
4 Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Background: Cationic immune stimulating complexes (PLUSCOMs) are particulate antigen delivery systems. PLUSCOMs consist of cationic immunostimulatory complexes (ISCOMs) derivatives and are able to elicit in vivo T cell responses against an antigen.
Objective: To evaluate the effects of PLUSCOMs containing Leishmaniamajor antigens (SLA) on the type of immune response generated in the murine model of leishmaniasis.
Methods: PLUSCOMs consisting of 1, 2-dioleoyl-3- trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP) were used as antigen delivery system/immunoadjuvants for soluble SLA. BALB/c mice were immunized subcutaneously, three times in 2-week intervals. Footpads swellings at the site of challenge and parasite loads were assessed as a measure of protection. The immune responses were also evaluated by determination of IgG subclasses and the level of IFN- γ and IL-4 in cultured splenocytes.
Results: There was no significant difference (p<0.05) between the sizes of lesions in mice immunized with different formulations. Also, there was no significant difference in the number of parasites in the footpad or spleen of all groups compared with the control group. The highest level of IFN- γ secretion was observed in the splenocytes of mice immunized with PLUSCOM/SLA (p<0.001) and lower amounts of IL-4 was observed in PLUSCOM group (p<0.001) as compared to negative control.
Conclusion: Our results indicated that SLA in different formulations generated an immune response with mixed Th1/Th2 response that was not protective enough despite the activation of CD4 + T cells with secreting IFN-γ in groups which received PLUSCOM with antigen.
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