Cytokine and nitric oxide patterns in dogs immunized with LBSap vaccine, before and after experimental challenge with Leishmania chagasi plus saliva of Lutzomyia longipalpis.

Abstract

In the studies presented here, dogs were vaccinated against Leishmania (Leishmania) cha-gasi challenge infection using a preparation of Leishmania braziliensis promastigote proteinsand saponin as adjuvant (LBSap). Vaccination with LBSap induced a prominent type 1immune response that was characterized by increased levels of interleukin (IL-) 12 andinterferon gamma (IFN- _) production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) uponstimulation with soluble vaccine antigen. Importantly, results showed that this type ofresponsiveness was sustained after challenge infection; at day 90 and 885 after L. chagasichallenge infection, PBMCs from LBSap vaccinated dogs produced more IL-12, IFN- _ andconcomitant nitric oxide (NO) when stimulated with Leishmania antigens as comparedto PBMCs from respective control groups (saponin, LB- treated, or non-treated controldogs). Moreover, transforming growth factor (TGF)- _ decreased in the supernatant of SLcA-stimulated PBMCs in the LBSap group at 90 days. Bone marrow parasitological analysisrevealed decreased frequency of parasitism in the presence of vaccine antigen. It is con-cluded that vaccination of dogs with LBSap vaccine induced a long-lasting type 1 immuneresponse against L. chagasi challenge infection.