Introduction: Canine visceral leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum is endemic in Mediterranean basin and some parts of Iran. Dogs are the major reservoirs of Leishmania infantum and are responsible for human visceral leishmaniasis. Cellular immunity has the main role in resistance to this fatal infection.
Methods: Fucose Mannose ligand (FML) antigen was isolated from native L. infantum and dogs were vaccinated with FML-saponin for three times. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were separated from the blood samples of vaccinated and control dogs. Mononuclear cells of both groups were cultivated and were treated with FML and concanavalin A separately. IFNγ gene expression was evaluated by real time PCR in the invitro cultivated cells.
Results: Our findings demonstrated a significant increase in the expression of IFNγ gene transcripts in PBMCs of FML-saponin injected dogs in comparison with control groups.
Conclusion: FML-saponin strongly stimulates Th1 immune response in FML-saponin injected dogs.
Key words: Focuse Mannose Ligand, Canine visceral leishmaniasis, Leishmaia infantu
