Publications (6)6.3 Total impact
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Article: Immunogenicity of recombinant Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette–Guèrin clones expressing T and B cell epitopes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens
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ABSTRACT: Recombinant Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette–Guèrin (rBCG) expressing three T cell epitopes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) Ag85B antigen (P1, P2, P3) fused to the Mtb8.4 protein (rBCG018) or a combination of these antigens fused to B cell epitopes from ESAT-6, CFP-10 and MTP40 proteins (rBCG032) were used to immunize Balb/c mice. Total IgG responses were determined against Mtb8.4 antigen and ESAT-6 and CFP-10 B cell epitopes after immunization with rBCG032. Mice immunized with rBCG032 showed a significant increase in IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies against ESAT-6 and MTP40 (P1) B cell epitopes and IgG3 against both P1 and P2 B cell epitopes of MPT40. Splenocytes from mice immunized with rBCG018 proliferated against Ag85B P2 and P3 T cell epitopes and Mtb8.4 protein whereas those from mice-immunized with rBCG032 responded against all Ag85B epitopes and the ESAT-6 B cell epitope. CD4 + and CD8 + lymphocytes from mice immunized with rBCG018 produced primarily Th1 type cytokines in response to the T cell epitopes. Similar pattern of recognition against the T cell epitopes were obtained with rBCG032 with the additional recognition of ESAT-6, CFP-10 and one of the MTP40 B cell epitopes with the same pattern of cytokines. This study demonstrates that rBCG constructs expressing either T or T and B cell epitopes of MTB induced appropriate immunogenicity against MTB.01/2013; -
Article: The importance of animal models in tuberculosis vaccine development.
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ABSTRACT: Research, development, and production of vaccines are still highly dependent on the use of animal models in the various evaluation steps. Despite this fact, there are strong interests and ongoing efforts to reduce the use of animals in vaccine development. Tuberculosis vaccine development is one important example of the complexities involved in the use of animal models for the production of new vaccines. This review summarises some of the general aspects related with the use of animals in vaccine research and production, as well as achievements and challenges towards the rational use of animals, particularly in the case of tuberculosis vaccine development.The Malaysian journal of medical sciences : MJMS. 10/2011; 18(4):5-12. -
Article: Prophylactic effect of administration of human gamma globulins in a mouse model of tuberculosis.
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ABSTRACT: The protective effect of human gamma globulins on Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection was evaluated in a mouse model of intratracheal infection. Animals receiving human gamma globulins intranasally, 2h before intratracheal challenge showed a significant decrease in lung bacilli load compared to non-treated animals in different time intervals of up to 2 months after challenge. The same effect was obtained when M. tuberculosis was pre-incubated with the gamma globulin before challenge. The protective effect of the gamma-globulin formulation was abolished after pre-incubation with M. tuberculosis. These results suggest a potential role of specific antibodies in the defence against mycobacterial infections.Tuberculosis (Edinburgh, Scotland) 05/2009; 89(3):218-20. · 2.54 Impact Factor -
Article: A conjugate vaccine composed of a heat shock protein 60 T-cell epitope peptide (p458) and Neisseria meningitidis type B capsular polysaccharide.
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ABSTRACT: Neisseria meningitidis type B is a major world-health problem. The Meningococcus type B capsular polysaccharide (MnB) is very poorly immunogenic and no vaccine to the antigen exists. Here, we conjugated the MnB to a T-cell carrier peptide (p458) derived from the self-60kDa heat shock protein molecule. The conjugate vaccine was effective in inducing long-lasting IgG antibodies to the MnB antigen in mice. The vaccine was also immunogenic when injected in PBS. Thus, the p458 carrier peptide can induce T-cell help for the switch to IgG Ab to the MnB antigen.Vaccine 11/2006; 24(42-43):6555-63. · 3.77 Impact Factor -
Article: Recent Advances in Tuberculosis Vaccine Development
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ABSTRACT: Tuberculosis is exacting a great toll on the lives of many people worldwide. Despite seemingly previous successes in controlling the disease, tuberculosis is now re-emerging as the leading cause of mortality due to infectious diseases in many parts of the world. The high incidence of the disease has been attributed mainly to its combination with HIV infection and the emergence of multi-drug resistant strains. In addition, the low diagnostic reliability and therapeutic coverage, as well as the absence of a fully protective vaccine, configure the current situation of the disease at a worrying level. Taking into account these antecedents, it is considered that the development of an effective vaccine is the most important and urgent element for the control of the disease. Supported by the better understanding of the immune response to the infection, the biology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the availability of new technologies in genomics and proteomics, a wide range of experimental vaccines have been attempted. These approaches include the use of inactivated strains; live genetically attenuated strains; live vectors expressing M. tuberculosis antigens; recombinant subunits, conjugated, and DNA vaccines as well as the combination of selected strategies in prime boost immunisations. Furthermore, the use of novel adjuvants, delivery systems and routes of immunisation have also been evaluated. Some of the candidate vaccines demonstrated significant levels of efficacy in animal models and are now in initial clinical evaluation. This review analyzes the main aspects related to the development of new generation vaccines against tuberculosis, as well as the challenges and complexities inherent to this endeavour.Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews 05/2005; 1(2):109-116. -
Article: Specific cellular and humoral immune response in Balbc mice immunised with an expression genomic library of Trypanosoma cruzi
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ABSTRACT: An expression genomic library of Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) constructed using pcDNA3 plasmid was used for the immunisation (25 μg) of . Expression of T. cruzi antigens in the muscle of inoculated mice was detected by indirect immunofluorescence 7 days after immunisation. Specific IgG antibodies were significatively increased (P<0.05) in animals that were reimmunised with 50 μg of the genomic library. An antigen specific lymphoproliferative response was detected in one animal of the group inoculated with one dose of the library.Vaccine.
