结核分枝杆菌ESAT6-CFP10融合蛋白诱导的小鼠免疫应答及其保护力

目的:研究结核分枝杆菌(MTB)ESAT6-CFP10融合蛋白诱导的小鼠体液和细胞免疫应答以及对MTB感染小鼠的保护能力。方法:用预先转移到硝酸纤维素膜条的ES-AT6-CFP10融合蛋白采用皮下包埋的方法免疫小鼠。用MTB培养上清滤液蛋白(CFP)作为抗原,用ELISA法测定免疫小鼠血清特异性抗体的滴度。末次免疫后,取部分免疫小鼠脾淋巴细胞,体外用ESAT6-CFP10融合蛋白刺激后,以MTT比色法检测淋巴细胞增殖反应,同时检测免疫小鼠IFN-γ和IL-2水平及脾细胞杀伤效应。另一部分免疫的BALB/c小鼠经尾静脉感染MTB毒株H37Rv,4周后计数脾脏中的细菌数。结果:ESAT6-CFP10融合蛋白免疫小鼠血清特异性抗体的滴度为1∶6400。淋巴细胞刺激增殖指数为1.90±0.15,明显高于生理盐水组(0.90±0.15);IFN-γ和IL-2的含量分别为1.792±19ng/L和0.211±11ng/L,显著高于生理盐水对照组,但不及BCG免疫组;同时融合蛋白诱导的脾细胞杀伤率为36%。与生理盐水免疫组(细菌负荷6.51±0.13)相比较,融和蛋白免疫的BALB/c小鼠,对攻击感染后MTB在脾脏中增殖有显著作用(细菌负荷为5.24±0.15,P<0.05),但与BCG免疫组相比脾脏中细菌负荷减少甚微。结论:ESAT6-CFP10融合蛋白可作为新型结核疫苗的候选组分。

Immune response and protective efficacy induced by fusion protein ESAT6-CFP10 of M.tuberculosis in mice

AIM: To study murine humoral and cellular immune response induced by fusion protein ESAT6-CFP10 and to examine its protective efficacy against M. tuberculosis (MTB) in mice. METHODS: BALB/c mice were immunized subcutaneously on the back with fusion protein ESAT6-CFP10 that was transferred to nitro cellulose (NC) membrane beforehand. Stimulation index (SI) of the spleen lymphocytes of the immunized mice was measured by MTT colorimetry. The level of IFN-gamma and IL-2 and CTL upon antigen-specific stimulation were detected. The vaccinated BALB/c mice were intravenously infected with MTB H37Rv (10(5) CFU/mouse). Four weeks later the number of CFU in spleens was determined. RESULTS: The titer of serum specific antibody in BALB/c mice immunized with fusion protein ESAT6-CFP10 was 1:6,400. The SI of fusion protein immunized group (1.90+/-0.15) was significantly higher than that of saline-immunized group (0.9+/-0.15). The level of IFN-gamma and IL-2 induced by the fusion protein was 1.792+/-19 ng/L and 0.211+/-11 ng/L respectively, which was significantly higher than that of saline-immunized group and lower than that of BCG-immunized group. The specific killing activity of splenocytes was 36%. Compared with the saline-immunized mice (bacterial load was 6.51+/-0.13), MTB number (bacterial load was 5.24+/-0.15) was reduced dramatically in the spleens of BALB/c mice immunized with the fusion protein, but the protective efficacy of the mice immunized with BCG was higher than that of ESAT6-CFP10 vaccinated group. CONCLUSION: Fusion protein ESAT6-CFP10 can be used as a candidate for novel vaccines.