DNA vaccine encoding peptide P10 against experimental paracoccidioidomycosis induces long-term protection in presence of regulatory T cells

Juliana de Amorim, Adriana Magalhães, Julián Esteban Muñoz, Glauce M.G. Rittner, Joshua D. Nosanchuk, Luiz R. Travassos, Carlos P. Taborda

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

Paracoccidioidomycosis is a granulomatous systemic mycosis endemic in Brazil and other Latin America countries. A DNA vaccine encoding the immunoprotective peptide 10 (P10) significantly reduced the fungal burden in mice when given prior to or after intratracheal challenge with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Presently, the generation/expansion of CD4+ CD44hi memory T cells as well as Foxp3+ Treg cells in mice immunized with the DNA vaccine (pcDNA3-P10) before and after infection with P. brasiliensis was investigated. Memory CD4+ CD44hi T cells simultaneously with Foxp3+ Treg cells increased in the spleens and lungs of pcDNA3-P10 immunized mice on day 0, 30, 60 and 120 postinfection. Histopathology of the lung tissue showed minimal inflammation in immunized mice compared with the unimmunized group, suggesting a role for regulatory T cells in controlling the immunopathology. The DNA vaccine shows that the repeated immunization generates memory cells and regulatory T cells that replace the initially protective pro-inflammatory T cells conferring a long term protection while preserving the integrity of the infected tissue.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)181-191
Number of pages11
JournalMicrobes and Infection
Volume15
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2013
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

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