The MHC Gene Region of Murine Hosts Influences the Differential Tissue Tropism of Infecting Trypanosoma cruzi Strains

We have previously demonstrated that both parasite genetic variability and host genetic background were important in determining the differential tissue distribution of the Col1.7G2 and JG T. cruzi monoclonal strains after artificial infections in mice. We observed that the JG strain was most prevalent in hearts of mouse lineages with the MHC haplotype H-2d (BALB/c and DBA2), while Col1.7G2 was predominant in hearts from C57BL/6 mice, which have the H-2b haplotype. To assess whether the MHC gene region indeed influenced tissue tropism of T. cruzi, we used the same two parasite strains to infect C57BL/6 (H-2b) and C57BLKS/J (H-2d) mice; the latter strain results from the introgression of DBA2 MHC region into the C57BL/6 background. We also performed ex vivo infections of cardiac explants from four congenic mice lineages with the H-2b and H-2d haplotypes arranged in two different genetic backgrounds: C57BLKS/J (H-2d) versus C57BL/6 (H-2b) and BALB/c (H-2d) versus BALB/B10-H2b (H-2b). In agreement with our former observations, Col1.7G2 was predominant in hearts from C57BL/6 mice (H-2b), but we observed a clear predominance of the JG strain in hearts from C57BLKS/J animals (H-2d). In the ex vivo experiments Col1.7G2 also prevailed in explants from H-2b animals while no predominance of any of the strains was observed in H-2d mice explants, regardless of the genetic background. These observations clearly demonstrate that the MHC region influences the differential tissue distribution pattern of infecting T. cruzi strains, which by its turn may be in a human infection the determinant for the clinical forms of the Chagas disease

Characterization of immunoglobulin G antibodies to Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite surface antigen MB2 in malaria exposed individuals

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>MB2 protein is a sporozoite surface antigen on the human malaria parasite <it>Plasmodium falciparum</it>. MB2 was identified by screening a <it>P. falciparum </it>sporozoite cDNA expression library using immune sera from a protected donor immunized via the bites of <it>P. falciparum</it>-infected irradiated mosquitoes. It is not known whether natural exposure to <it>P. falciparum </it>also induces the anti-MB2 response and if this response differs from that in protected individuals immunized via the bites of <it>P. falciparum </it>infected irradiated mosquitoes. The anti-MB2 antibody response may be part of a robust protective response against the sporozoite.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Fragments of polypeptide regions of MB2 were constructed as recombinant fusions sandwiched between glutathione S-transferase and a hexa histidine tag for bacterial expression. The hexa histidine tag affinity purified proteins were used to immunize rabbits and the polyclonal sera evaluated in an <it>in vitro </it>inhibition of sporozoite invasion assay. The proteins were also used in immunoblots with sera from a limited number of donors immunized via the bites of <it>P. falciparum </it>infected irradiated mosquitoes and plasma and serum obtained from naturally exposed individuals in Kenya.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Rabbit polyclonal antibodies targeting the non-repeat region of the basic domain of MB2 inhibited sporozoites entry into HepG2-A16 cells <it>in vitro</it>. Analysis of serum from five human volunteers that were immunized via the bites of <it>P. falciparum </it>infected irradiated mosquitoes that developed immunity and were completely protected against subsequent challenge with non-irradiated parasite also had detectable levels of antibody against MB2 basic domain. In contrast, in three volunteers not protected, anti-MB2 antibodies were below the level of detection. Sera from protected volunteers preferentially recognized a non-repeat region of the basic domain of MB2, whereas plasma from naturally-infected individuals also had antibodies that recognize regions of MB2 that contain a repeat motif in immunoblots. Sequence analysis of eleven field isolates and four laboratory strains showed that these antigenic regions of the basic domain of the <it>MB2 </it>gene are highly conserved in parasites obtained from different parts of the world. Moreover, anti-MB2 antibodies also were detected in the plasma of 83% of the individuals living in a malaria endemic area of Kenya (n = 41).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A preliminary analysis of the human humoral response against MB2 indicates that it may be an additional highly conserved target for immune intervention at the pre-erythrocytic stage of <it>P. falciparum </it>life cycle.</p

Genes from Chagas Susceptibility Loci That Are Differentially Expressed in T. cruzi-Resistant Mice Are Candidates Accounting for Impaired Immunity

Variation between inbred mice of susceptibility to experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infection has frequently been described, but the immunogenetic background is poorly understood. The outcross of the susceptible parental mouse strains C57BL/6 (B6) and DBA/2 (D2), B6D2F1 (F1) mice, is highly resistant to this parasite. In the present study we show by quantitative PCR that the increase of tissue parasitism during the early phase of infection is comparable up to day 11 between susceptible B6 and resistant F1 mice. A reduction of splenic parasite burdens occurs thereafter in both strains but is comparatively retarded in susceptible mice. Splenic microarchitecture is progressively disrupted with loss of follicles and B lymphocytes in B6 mice, but not in F1 mice. By genotyping of additional backcross offspring we corroborate our earlier findings that susceptibility maps to three loci on Chromosomes 5, 13 and 17. Analysis of gene expression of spleen cells from infected B6 and F1 mice with microarrays identifies about 0.3% of transcripts that are differentially expressed. Assuming that differential susceptibility is mediated by altered gene expression, we propose that the following differentially expressed transcripts from these loci are strong candidates for the observed phenotypic variation: H2-Eα, H2-D1, Ng23, Msh5 and Tubb5 from Chromosome 17; and Cxcl11, Bmp2k and Spp1 from Chromosome 5. Our results indicate that innate mechanisms are not of primary relevance to resistance of F1 mice to T. cruzi infection, and that differential susceptibility to experimental infection with this protozoan pathogen is not paralleled by extensive variation of the transcriptome

Paraflagellar rod proteins administered with alum and IL-12 or recombinant adenovirus expressing IL-12 generates antigen-specific responses and protective immunity in mice against Trypanosoma cruzi.

Successful vaccination of mice against an otherwise lethal challenge with the Peru strain of Trypanosoma cruzi necessitates the induction of a strong cell mediated immune response. Previously, immunization of mice with the paraflagellar rod proteins from Trypanosoma cruzi90% reduction in parasitemia in immunized mice challenged with the bloodstream stage of Trypanosoma cruzi

Identification of monoclonal antibodies against the trypomastigote stage of Trypanosoma cruzi by use of iminobiotinylated surface polypeptides.

The surface polypeptides of epimastigotes and tissue culture-derived trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi have been isolated free of most cytosolic components by use of the 2-iminobiotin-avidin interaction. Polypeptides of the trypomastigote stage obtained by this technique are recognized by serum antibodies from Chagasic patients and T. cruzi-infected mice. These polypeptides have been used as the detecting antigen for the identification of hybridoma cells producing monoclonal antibodies against the surface proteins of the trypomastigote stage of T. cruzi. These experiments document a practical approach for obtaining T. cruzi surface proteins in sufficient quantity and purity for use in immunological studies

Trypanosoma cruzi: protective immunity in mice immunized with paraflagellar rod proteins is associated with a T-helper type 1 response.

We have examined the ability of mice to survive a lethal challenge with the parasitic hemoflagellate, Trypanosoma cruzi, following immunization with paraflagellar rod proteins (PAR) 1 and 2 either alone or in combination with the following adjuvants: Freund's, alum, QS-21, Ribi-700, or IL-12. PAR administered subcutaneously (sc) in combination with Freund's or alum provided significant protection, 100 and 83%, respectively, against a T. cruzi challenge. In contrast, PAR in combination with QS-21, Ribi-700, IL-12, or Freund's administered intraperitoneally (ip) or PAR alone provide no protection against a challenge. PAR-specific serum antibody titers and isotype profiles for several of the immunization regimens were determined, and no positive correlation could be seen between a protective immune response and either antibody titer or the subclass of antibody induced. We also examined the ability of PAR to stimulate T cells from the spleen and lymph nodes of mice immunized with PAR in combination with Freund's (sc), Freund's (ip), alum, or Ribi-700. Each of the adjuvants strongly enhanced the ability of enriched T cells to proliferate in a PAR-specific fashion, suggesting no obvious correlation between PAR-specific T cell activation and protection. However, examination of the cytokine profiles of the stimulated T cell groups showed that the protective groups differed from the nonprotective groups. While all four groups showed low levels of IL-10, the Freund's (sc) and alum groups had higher levels of IFN-gamma and IL-2 than Freund's (ip) and Ribi-700 groups, and most strikingly, no IL-4 could be detected in either the Freund's (sc) or the alum group, in contrast to significant levels of IL-4 in both the Freund's (ip) and the Ribi-700 group. These findings indicate that protective immunity in mice immunized with PAR is associated with a Th1-type response

Stage and strain specific expression of the tandemly repeated 90 kDa surface antigen gene family in Trypanosoma cruzi.

A recombinant cDNA library constructed in the expression vector lambda gtll using mRNA from the trypomastigote stage of Trypanosoma cruzi was screened with two monoclonal antibodies that have been shown to react with a 105 kDa and a 90 kDa surface antigen in trypomastigotes of the Peru and Y strains of T. cruzi. One recombinant lambda phage, designated Tcc-20, was reactive to both monoclonals. The beta-galactosidase/T. cruzi hybrid protein encoded in Tcc-20 is recognized by the monoclonal antibodies and by serum antibodies from mice infected with strains of T. cruzi which contain the 90 kDa antigen. Antibodies immunoselected from serum of mice infected with the Peru strain by adsorption to Tcc-20 fusion protein react specifically with a 90 kDa polypeptide in trypomastigote but not epimastigote lysates of T. cruzi. The mRNA complementary to the DNA insert in Tcc-20 is present only in those stages and strains of T. cruzi which express the 90 kDa surface antigen. These characteristics are strong evidence that the T. cruzi DNA fragment cloned into Tcc-20 encodes a portion of the 90 kDa surface antigen. The gene(s) which encodes this polypeptide is shown to be present in approximately 20 copies per haploid genome and most, and possibly all, of the copies are found in a tandemly linked multigene family

Trypanosoma cruzi: protective immunity in mice immunized with paraflagellar rod proteins is associated with a T-helper type 1 response.

We have examined the ability of mice to survive a lethal challenge with the parasitic hemoflagellate, Trypanosoma cruzi, following immunization with paraflagellar rod proteins (PAR) 1 and 2 either alone or in combination with the following adjuvants: Freund's, alum, QS-21, Ribi-700, or IL-12. PAR administered subcutaneously (sc) in combination with Freund's or alum provided significant protection, 100 and 83%, respectively, against a T. cruzi challenge. In contrast, PAR in combination with QS-21, Ribi-700, IL-12, or Freund's administered intraperitoneally (ip) or PAR alone provide no protection against a challenge. PAR-specific serum antibody titers and isotype profiles for several of the immunization regimens were determined, and no positive correlation could be seen between a protective immune response and either antibody titer or the subclass of antibody induced. We also examined the ability of PAR to stimulate T cells from the spleen and lymph nodes of mice immunized with PAR in combination with Freund's (sc), Freund's (ip), alum, or Ribi-700. Each of the adjuvants strongly enhanced the ability of enriched T cells to proliferate in a PAR-specific fashion, suggesting no obvious correlation between PAR-specific T cell activation and protection. However, examination of the cytokine profiles of the stimulated T cell groups showed that the protective groups differed from the nonprotective groups. While all four groups showed low levels of IL-10, the Freund's (sc) and alum groups had higher levels of IFN-gamma and IL-2 than Freund's (ip) and Ribi-700 groups, and most strikingly, no IL-4 could be detected in either the Freund's (sc) or the alum group, in contrast to significant levels of IL-4 in both the Freund's (ip) and the Ribi-700 group. These findings indicate that protective immunity in mice immunized with PAR is associated with a Th1-type response