Induction of protective immunity by recombinant peptidoglycan associated lipoprotein (rPAL) protein of Legionella pneumophila in a BALB/c mouse model

Publication date: Available online 11 December 2018Source: Microbial PathogenesisAuthor(s): Ashraf Mohabati Mobarez, Roya Ahamad Rajabi, Ali Hatef Salmanian, Nima Khoramabadi, Seyed Reza Hosseini DoustAbstractLegionella pneumophila causes a severe form of pneumonia known as Legionnaires’ disease especially in patients with impaired cellular immune response. In order to prevent the disease, immunogenicity and the level of the induction of protective immunity from the recombinant peptidoglycan–associated lipoprotein (rPAL) against Legionella pneumophila in BALB/c mice was examined. Mice immunized with (rPAL) rapidly increased an antibody response in serum and also displayed a strong activation of both innate and adaptive cell-mediated immunity as determined by antigen-specific splenocyte proliferation, an early production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the serum and in the splenocyte cultures. Infection with a primary sublethal does of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1, strain paris, caused resistance to a lethal challenge infection in the animals with 100% survival rate. However, mice treated with rPAL survived with 60% rate in 10 days after a lethal i.v challenge with L. pneumophila. All of the control animals receiving PBS died within 24 h. The present study indicates that recombinant protein PAL of Legionella pneumophila is strongly immunogenic and capable to elicit early innate and adaptive immune responses and lasting immunity against a lethal dose of Legionella ...
Source: Microbial Pathogenesis - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research