Isolation and characterization of IgG2a-reactive autoantibodies from influenza virus-infected BALB/c mice

Repeated influenza virus infection induces the production of dominantly IgG2a-type virus-specific antibodies as well as the appearance of IgG2a-reactive autoantibodies in BALB/c mice characterized by low spontaneous rheumatoid factor-type autoantibody production. IgG2a-reactive autoantibody-producing hybridomas could be isolated from the spleen of influenza virus-infected BALB/c mice. The mAb produced by these clones represent not only IgM but also IgG and IgA isotypes and show strong isotype or isoallotype specificity. The common functional property of these autoantibodies is their preferential- and high-affinity binding to complexed, solid-phase-bound or heat-aggregated IgG2a when compared to native soluble or cell-bound IgG2a. The mechanism of induction and the possible biological function of these autoantibodies are discussed in the light of their fine specificity and functional properties.     

Protein and modified vaccinia virus Ankara‐based influenza virus nucleoprotein vaccines are differentially immunogenic in BALB/c mice

Because of the high variability of seasonal influenza viruses and the eminent threat of influenza viruses with pandemic potential, there is great interest in the development of vaccines that induce broadly protective immunity. Most probably, broadly protective influenza vaccines are based on conserved proteins, such as nucleoprotein (NP). NP is a vaccine target of interest as it has been shown to induce cross‐reactive antibody and T cell responses. Here we tested and compared various NP‐based vaccine preparations for their capacity to induce humoral and cellular immune responses to influenza virus NP. The immunogenicity of protein‐based vaccine preparations with Matrix‐M? adjuvant as well as recombinant viral vaccine vector modified Vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) expressing the influenza virus NP gene, with or without modifications that aim at optimization of CD8⁺ T cell responses, was addressed in BALB/c mice. Addition of Matrix‐M? adjuvant to NP wild‐type protein‐based vaccines significantly improved T cell responses. Furthermore, recombinant MVA expressing the influenza virus NP induced strong antibody and CD8⁺ T cell responses, which could not be improved further by modifications of NP to increase antigen processing and presentation.     

Response of BALB/c mice to a monovalent influenza A （H1N1） 2009 split vaccine

The novel influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus has emerged to cause the first pandemic of the twenty-first century. Disease outbreaks caused by the influenza A (H1N1) virus have prompted concerns about the potential for a pandemic and have driven the development of vaccines against this subtype of influenza A. In this study, we developed a monovalent influenza A (H1N1) split vaccine and evaluated its effects in BALB/c mice. Mice were immunized subcutaneously with 2 doses of the vaccine containing hemagglutinin (HA) alone or HA plus an aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)₃) adjuvant. Immunization with varying doses of HA (3.75, 7.5, 15, 30, 45 or 60 µg) was performed to induce the production of neutralizing antibodies. The vaccine elicited strong hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and microneutralization, and addition of the adjuvant augmented the antibody response. A preliminary safety evaluation showed that the vaccine was not toxic at large doses (0.5 ml containing 60 µg HA+600 µg Al(OH)₃ or 60 µg HA). Moreover, the vaccine was found to be safe at a dose of 120 µg HA+1200 µg Al(OH)₃ or 120 µg HA in 1.0 ml in rats. In conclusion, the present study provides support for the clinical evaluation of influenza A (H1N1) vaccination as a public health intervention to mitigate a possible pandemic. Additionally, our findings support the further evaluation of the vaccine used in this study in primates or humans.     

嗜肺军团菌免疫原蛋白核酸疫苗诱导的小鼠免疫应答及其保护力

目的:研究嗜肺军团菌免疫原蛋白核酸疫苗诱导的小鼠免疫原性以及对LP感染小鼠的保护能力。方法:用嗜肺军团菌免疫原蛋白基因真核表达重组质粒pcDNA3.1-ip作为DNA疫苗免疫BALB/c小鼠,检测免疫小鼠体内抗原特异性抗体水平、脾淋巴细胞增殖活性、IFNγ-产生水平和CTL特异杀伤活性等指标,以评价疫苗的免疫原性。真核表达重组质粒pcDNA3.1-ipDNA疫苗重复免疫BALB/c小鼠2次,末次免疫2周后,用10倍LD50剂量攻击小鼠,计数小鼠的存活数及小鼠肺中的细菌数,观察感染鼠的肺部病理变化。结果:pcDNA3.1-ip免疫小鼠后诱导产生了特异的体液免疫应答和细胞免疫应答,免疫组的免疫原性和免疫保护性均高于对照组pcDNA3.1( )组(P<0.01)。结论:免疫原蛋白基因可作为嗜肺军团菌核酸疫苗的侯选基因。     

C57Bl/6 mice are more resistant to hypoxic hypoxia than BALB/c mice

C57B1/6 mice with low intensity of metabolic processes are more resistant to hypoxic hypoxia than BALB/c mice. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 128, No. 11, pp. 511–513, November, 1999     

卵清白蛋白特异性T细胞免疫诱导BALB/c小鼠的调节性免疫应答

目的：研究T细胞免疫后正常小鼠的调节性免疫应答，方法：应用体外扩增的卵清白蛋白（OVA）特异的T细胞克隆免疫BALB／c小鼠，3H－TdR掺入法分析细胞增殖，3H－TdR标记靶细胞检测杀伤T细胞的杀伤效应，间接免疫荧光法分析血清中抗T细胞抗体水平。结果：T细胞免疫后能诱导BALB/c小鼠产生调节性T细胞的增殖反应，对靶细胞的杀伤效应以及针对于活化的T细胞的体液免疫应答，并进一步降低机体对OVA抗原的应答，结论：T细胞免疫能诱导正常机体的调节性免疫应答。     

T细胞免疫BALB/c小鼠诱导调节性体液免疫应答的研究

目的 :研究T细胞免疫后正常小鼠的调节性体液免疫应答。方法 :用经γ射线照射的体外扩增的活化OVA特异T细胞克隆免疫BALB c小鼠 ,FACS法分析血清中抗T细胞抗体水平 ,免疫共沉淀法分析靶抗原。结果 :T细胞免疫能诱导BALB c小鼠产生抑制T细胞增殖的抗T细胞抗体 ,这种抗体不是多克隆活化的结果 ,其靶抗原可能是T细胞上 93、87、5 5和 4 5kD的蛋白。结论 :T细胞免疫能诱导正常小鼠产生调节性体液免疫应答     

Nonviable Burkholderia mallei induces a mixed Th1- and Th2-like cytokine response in BALB/c mice

Nonviable cell preparations of Burkholderia mallei, the causative agent of glanders, were evaluated as potential vaccine candidates in a BALB/c murine model. Three different B. mallei cell preparations plus Alhydrogel were evaluated: a heat-killed preparation, an irradiation-inactivated preparation, and a preparation of a capsule-negative mutant strain which had been irradiation inactivated. BALB/c mice were vaccinated twice with the different B. mallei preparations, and spleens and sera were collected to determine their cellular and humoral immune responses. All three bacterial cell preparations had essentially the same results in two cellular immune response assays. In a splenocyte proliferation assay, the amount of cell proliferation in response to the homologous immunogen, concanavalin A, or lipopolysaccharide was similar for all the cell preparations. Also, splenocytes from the inoculated mice expressed interleukin 2 (IL-2), gamma interferon, and small amounts of IL-4 and IL-5, and more IL-10 cytokine in the presence of the homologous antigen. When the immunoglobulin subclasses from these mice were examined, they all produced higher levels of IgG1 than IgG2a subclasses. The higher ratio of IgG1 to IgG2a was not due to the amount of the immunogen or the adjuvant (Alhydrogel) used in the BALB/c mice. The cell preparations did not protect the vaccinated mice from a live challenge (>300 50% lethal doses). Our results suggest that in BALB/c mice, a mixed T-helper-cell-like response to nonviable B. mallei is obtained, as demonstrated by a Th1- and Th2-like cytokine response and a Th2-like subclass immunoglobulin response. This may be the reason for the inability of the B. mallei cells that were examined as candidate vaccines to protect the mice from a live challenge.     

Immunogenicity of SARS inactivated vaccine in BALB/c mice

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a serious infectious threat to public health. To create a novel trial vaccine and evaluate its potency, we attempted to generate a SARS inactivated vaccine using SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) strain F69 treated with formaldehyde and mixed with Al(OH)3. Three doses of the vaccine were used to challenge three groups of BALB/c mice. We found that the mice exhibited specific IgM on day 4 and IgG on day 8. The peak titers of IgG were at day 47 in low-dose group (1:19,200) and high-dose group (1:38,400) whereas in middle-dose group (1:19,200), the peak was at day 40. On day 63, the IgG levels reached a plateau. Neutralization assay demonstrated that the antisera could protect Vero-E6 cells from SARS-CoV's infection. Analysis of the antibody specificity revealed that the mouse antisera contained a mixture of antibodies specifically against the structure proteins of SARS-CoV. Furthermore, the mouse antisera conferred higher amount of antibodies against protein N, polypeptide S4 and S2 than those of proteins M and 3CL. These findings suggest that the inactivated SARS-CoV could preserve its antigenicity and the inactivated vaccine can stimulate mice to produce high levels of antibodies with neutralization activity. Results also suggest that polypeptides originating from protein N or S might be a potential target for the generation of a recombinant SARS vaccine.     

IL-2 preS DNA疫苗免疫正常小鼠和HBV转基因鼠的免疫应答研究

目的 探讨IL—2 preS DNA疫苗作为预防和治疗性疫苗的可行性及作用机理。方法 应用基因重组技术，构建人白细胞介素2(hIL-2)和前表面抗原(preS)的真核表达载体，将此重组载体用基因枪分别注射正常的BALB／c小鼠和HBV转基因小鼠，通过ELISA方法检测BALB／c小鼠和HBV转基因鼠的抗-preS2、HBsAg及抗-HBs抗体水平；荧光定量PCR方法检测HBV转基因鼠血清中HBV DNA拷贝数，并用免疫病理HE染色观察小鼠肝组织炎症活动度，同时检测肝功能指标。结果 ①基因枪注射真核表达质粒免疫正常小鼠后，100％小鼠能在第4、6周检测到抗preS1抗体，持续时间长达10周。②用IL-2 preS真核表达质粒基因枪肌肉注射方式优于正常肌肉注射和皮下注射的方式，且所需质粒量(10μg／只)仅为后者(100μg／只)的1／10。③在第4周高峰期检测IgG亚类，是诱导以TH1(IgG2a)细胞免疫为主的反应。④基因枪注射真核表达质粒(1μg／只)免疫转基因小鼠后，80％的小鼠产生了抗体，HBV DNA量下降，其中20％的小鼠HBsAg转阴。⑤HE肝组织染色显示：肝组织有明显的炎细胞浸润、肝细胞肿大、颗粒样变性、转氨酶升高。结论 IL-2 preS DNA疫苗能刺激小鼠机体产生体液和细胞免疫，可部分打破小鼠机体的免疫耐受，为新型乙肝疫苗和抗HBV持续性感染的特异性免疫治疗剂的设计和构建提供理论与实践依据。     

A malaria 'mitogen'-induced depressed immune response to meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine in BALB/c mice

Uninfected female BALB/c mice were given a 4-daily intraperitoneal injection, of supernatants obtained from 24-h cultures of Plasmodium berghei infected and control mouse red blood cells, for 20 days. Each mouse was subsequently injected subcutaneously with 10 mg meningococcal (groups A and C combined) polysaccharide vaccine. Mean meningococcal haemagglutinating antibody titres obtained in mice pretreated with control supernatants were consistently higher, than those obtained in mice pretreated with supernatants from malaria-infected red blood cell cultures, over a period of 14 days. The results suggest that a malaria 'mitogen' may be involved in the pathogenesis of the immunosuppression characteristic of this infection.     

不同佐剂与鼠疫F1-V融合重组蛋白抗原滴鼻免疫效果的研究

目的 研究不同佐剂与鼠疫F1-V融合重组蛋白抗原滴鼻免疫Balb/c小鼠,观察机体产生体液免疫和局部粘膜免疫反应的效果,为发展黏膜疫苗提供理论基础.方法 鼠疫F1-V融合重组蛋白抗原按比例分别与PorB(2类外膜蛋白)重组蛋白、蛋白体佐剂制备黏膜疫苗,滴鼻免疫Balb/c小鼠3次,取尾静脉血,采用ELISA检测血清IgG及抗体亚型分类,并检测鼻咽、肺、小肠及阴道灌洗液sIsA;采用FAC检测脾淋巴细胞表型的变化.结果 PorB重组蛋白佐剂疫苗组和蛋白体佐剂疫苗组较无佐剂组体液免疫抗体水平高、蛋白体佐剂疫苗组好于PorB重组蛋白佐剂疫苗组,但无显著性差异.结论 PorB重组蛋白佐剂疫苗和蛋白体佐剂疫苗均能诱导较强的系统免疫和黏膜免疫应答,且PorB重组蛋白佐剂疫苗免疫效果可与蛋白体佐剂疫苗相媲美,可进一步论证是否可用PorB重组蛋白佐剂替代蛋白体佐剂,这为鼠疫粘膜疫苗的研制奠定了基础.     

A DNA vaccine encoding lumazine synthase from Brucella abortus induces protective immunity in BALB/c mice

This study was conducted to evaluate the immunogenicity of the Brucella abortus lumazine synthase (BLS) gene cloned into the pcDNA3 plasmid, which is driven by the cytomegalovirus promoter. Injection of plasmid DNA carrying the BLS gene (pcDNA-BLS) into BALB/c mice elicited both humoral and cellular immune responses. Antibodies to the encoded BLS included immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) IgG2a, IgG2b, IgG3, and IgM isotypes. Animals injected with pcDNA-BLS exhibited a dominance of IgG2a over IgG1. In addition, spleen cells from vaccinated animals produced interleukin-2 and gamma interferon but not IL-10 or IL-4 after in vitro stimulation with recombinant BLS (rBLS), suggesting the induction of a Th1 response. Protection was evaluated by comparing the levels of infection in the spleens of vaccinated mice challenged with B. abortus 544. Immunization with pcDNA-BLS- reduced the bacterial burden relative to those in the control groups. Mice immunized with rBLS produced a significant humoral response but did not show a specific cellular response or any protection from challenge. Altogether, these data suggest that pcDNA-BLS is a good immunogen for the production of humoral and cell-mediated responses in mice and is a candidate for use in future studies of vaccination against brucellosis.     

Induction of anti-DNA IgG and IgE antibodies in BALB/c mice.

Immunization of BALB/c mice with denatured DNA (dnDNA)-methylated bovine serum albumin (MBSA) complex along with aluminium hydroxide gel as adjuvant, resulted in the induction of anti-DNA antibodies of both IgG and IgE isotypes demonstrable by avidin-biotin micro enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and solid phase radioimmunoassay (SPRIA), respectively. In contrast to the high levels of IgG2a and IgG2b anti-DNA antibodies observed in SLE-prone autoimmune mice, more than 90% of the anti-DNA antibodies of IgG isotype were found to be of IgG1 subclass. Specificity of both IgG and IgE antibodies which recognized activated DNA, dnDNA and double-stranded DNA but not RNA was established by competitive ELISA and SPRIA inhibition assays. These antibodies cross-reacted with cibacron blue and chondroitin sulfate but not with various other proteoglycans, nucleosides and nucleotides. Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction in rats showed that these antibodies are capable of inducing in vivo degranulation of mast cells in a dose-dependent manner. These studies lend support to the concept that IgE antibodies directed against DNA may mediate mast cell degranulation and thus contribute to immediate-type hypersensitivity phenomena including hives seen in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and to the localization of IgE-nucleic acid complexes.     

Oral tolerance by a high dose OVA in BALB/c mice is more pronounced and persistent in Th2-mediated immune responses than in Th1 responses.

Oral administration of antigen induces an antigen-specific immunologic tolerance and many studies are being carried out to apply this phenomenon to the treatment of autoimmune diseases. In this study, we investigated long-term Th1 and Th2 tolerance in mice given a high dose of orally administered Ovalbumin (OVA). Feeding OVA to BALB/c mice suppressed OVA-specific IgG response and the degree of inhibition was dose-dependent in the range of 2.5-250 mg. Moreover, the state of tolerance established by prior feeding of high dose of OVA was present after 26 weeks. Interestingly, even though both Th subsets were tolerized significantly for a short period, the tolerizing effect was more pronounced and persistent in Th2-mediated immune responses. Thus we speculate that oral administration of a single high dose of OVA induces Th1- and Th2-tolerance by different mechanisms. Our findings could be important in the development of therapeutics for the treatment of autoimmune disease and allergy.     

A recombinant BCG vaccine generates a Th1-like response and inhibits IgE synthesis in BALB/c mice

The tubercle vaccine, bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), is a strong inducer of T-helper type 1 (Th1) responsiveness, and it has been suggested that recombinant BCG (rBCG), which produces and secretes antigens, may be used to prevent allergic diseases. The effects of rBCG vaccination on allergic responses in a murine model were examined in this study. A BCG-Escherichia coli shuttle vector was developed with the promoter and signal sequence of the alpha-antigen of Mycobacterium bovis, and the vector was tested using E. coli beta-galactosidase as the model antigen and allergen. This vector enabled the expression of the E. coli beta-galactosidase gene in BCG, which was detected in its protein extract by immunoblotting analysis. Vaccination of mice with a single dose of 106 recombinant BCG generated a beta-galactosidase-specific antibody response. The splenocytes of vaccinated mice compared with controls produced significantly higher amounts of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) (P<0. 01) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) (P<0.05) and lower amounts of IL-5 (P<0. 01). Mice vaccinated with rBCG had significantly less (P<0.01) serum IgE compared with controls. These results together demonstrate that rBCG secreting antigens or allergens may be utilized for the induction of a Th1-like response and the down-regulation of IgE antibody response.     

A Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium succinate dehydrogenase/fumarate reductase double mutant is avirulent and immunogenic in BALB/c mice

Previously we showed that the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle operates as a full cycle during Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium SR-11 peroral infection of BALB/c mice (M. Tchawa Yimga et al., Infect. Immun. 74:1130-1140, 2006). The evidence was that a ΔsucCD mutant (succinyl coenzyme A [succinyl-CoA] synthetase), which prevents the conversion of succinyl-CoA to succinate, and a ΔsdhCDA mutant (succinate dehydrogenase), which blocks the conversion of succinate to fumarate, were both attenuated, whereas an SR-11 ΔaspA mutant (aspartase) and an SR-11 ΔfrdABCD mutant (fumarate reductase), deficient in the ability to run the reductive branch of the TCA cycle, were fully virulent. In the present study, evidence is presented that a serovar Typhimurium SR-11 ΔfrdABCD ΔsdhCDA double mutant is avirulent in BALB/c mice and protective against subsequent infection with the virulent serovar Typhimurium SR-11 wild-type strain via the peroral route and is highly attenuated via the intraperitoneal route. These results suggest that fumarate reductase, which normally runs in the reductive pathway in the opposite direction of succinate dehydrogenase, can replace it during infection by running in the same direction as succinate dehydrogenase in order to run a full TCA cycle in an SR-11 ΔsdhCDA mutant. The data also suggest that the conversion of succinate to fumarate plays a key role in serovar Typhimurium virulence. Moreover, the data raise the possibility that S. enterica ΔfrdABCD ΔsdhCDA double mutants and ΔfrdABCD ΔsdhCDA double mutants of other intracellular bacterial pathogens with complete TCA cycles may prove to be effective live vaccine strains for animals and humans.     

BALB/c鼠和裸鼠呼吸道合胞病毒感染比较研究

目的 比较普通BALB/c鼠和裸鼠呼吸道合胞病毒(RSV)感染免疫及炎症反应特点.方法 BALB/c鼠和裸鼠感染RSV后不同时间空斑形成试验检测肺组织病毒滴度,计数支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)白细胞总数和分类,HE染色分析肺组织病理学改变,免疫组化检测肺组织F4/80+细胞和CD49b+细胞.ELISA检测BALF中TNF-α、IFN-r、IL-12和IL-10浓度.结果 BALB/c鼠和裸鼠感染RSV后肺组织病毒滴度在第3天达峰值,感染裸鼠带毒时间更长,在感染后各天病毒滴度明显高于BALB/c鼠(P＜0.05),肺组织病理改变也更重.感染BALB/c鼠和裸鼠BALF白细胞总数明显升高,分类以淋巴细胞为主.感染裸鼠与感染BALB/c鼠比较,肺组织检测到更多的F4/80+巨噬细胞和CD49b+NK细胞(P＜0.05),BALF中TNF-α、IL-12和IL-10水平更高(P＜0.05).结论 RSV感染裸鼠与BALB/c鼠比较,病毒复制水平更高,时间更持久,炎症反应更重.单核巨噬细胞和NK细胞是RSV感染重要的免疫细胞和炎症细胞,炎症反应强度并不一定与T细胞免疫应答平行.     

Garlic induces a shift in cytokine pattern in Leishmania major-infected BALB/c mice

The regulation of T helper (Th)1- and Th2-type cytokine patterns is important in the final outcome of leishmaniasis in human and murine models. We examined the efficacy of garlic therapy or a combination of garlic and an antimonial drug (glucantime) in promoting healing and regulation of Th1/Th2 cytokine patterns in highly susceptible BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania major. Separate groups of infected mice received 20 mg/kg/day garlic, 60 mg/kg/day glucantime or a combination of the two, from day 30 after infection for 2 weeks. An enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) was performed on spleen cell culture supernatants for interferon(IFN)-gamma interleukin(IL)-2, IL-4 and IL-10. The results indicate that garlic therapy is more effective than the usual antileishmanial drug in curing the infection. Garlic-treated mice developed Th1-type cytokine responses. In contrast, glucantime therapy led to a Th2-type response in the control group with a lower level of IL-2. However, a combination of garlic and glucantime treatment was more effective than either treatment alone, and resulted in a Th1-type response similar to that which developed with garlic treatment. These results suggest that garlic extract in combination with an antimonial drug, may provide effective therapy against L. major. The immunomodulatory properties of garlic were elucidated in terms of shifting the cytokine response to a Th1-type pattern and therefore causing the protective response.     

Nocardia brasiliensis induces an immunosuppressive microenvironment that favors chronic infection in BALB/c mice

Nocardia brasiliensis is an intracellular microorganism and the most common etiologic agent of actinomycetoma in the Americas. Several intracellular pathogens induce an immunosuppressive microenvironment through increases in CD4+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg), thus downregulating other T-cell subpopulations and assuring survival in the host. In this study, we determined whether N. brasiliensis modulates T-lymphocyte responses and their related cytokine profiles in a murine experimental model. We also examined the relationship between N. brasiliensis immunomodulation and pathogenesis and bacterial survival. In early infection, Th17/Tc17 cells were increased at day 3 (P < 0.05) in footpad tissue and spleen. Treg subpopulations peaked at days 7 and 15 (P < 0.01) in the footpad and spleen, respectively. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and interleuki-10 (IL-10) are cytokines known for their immunosuppressive effects. During early and chronic infections, these cytokines were elevated with increased TGF-β1 levels from days 3 to 30 (P < 0.01) and sustained IL-10 expression throughout infection compared to uninfected mice. IL-6 production was increased at day 3 (P < 0.01), whereas gamma interferon (IFN-γ), IL-17A, and IL-23 levels were highest at day 15 postinfection (P < 0.01) when a decrease in the bacterial load (>1 log) was also observed (P < 0.05). After these changes, at 30 to 60 days postinfection, IFN-γ production was decreased, whereas the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines and the bacterial load again increased (P < 0.05). The increment in Treg cells and the related cytokine profile correlated with reduced inflammation at day 15 (P < 0.05) in the footpad. We conclude that N. brasiliensis modulates the immune system to induce an immunosuppressive microenvironment that benefits its survival during the chronic stage of infection.