title: Evaluation of immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a Microsporum canis metalloprotease subunit vaccine in guinea pigs.
abstract: In order to identify protective immunogens against Microsporum canis infection, a purified recombinant keratinolytic metalloprotease (r-MEP3) was tested as a subunit vaccine in experimentally infected guinea pigs. Both humoral and cellular specific immune responses developing towards r-MEP3 were evaluated, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and by in vitro lymphocyte transformation tests respectively. Vaccination induced a strong antibody response, and a significant but transient lymphoproliferative response against the protein. However, the protocol failed to prevent fungal invasion or development of dermatophytic lesions. These results show that under the present experimental conditions, r-MEP3 specific antibodies are not protective against a challenge exposure. They also suggest that in the same model, the induction of cell-mediated immunity towards r-MEP3 is not sufficient, indicating the need for further research in the field of specific immune mechanisms involved in M. canis dermatophytosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sandy M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Vermout
authors.forename: Frédéric D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Brouta
authors.forename: Frédéric F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Descamps
authors.forename: Bertrand J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Losson
authors.forename: Bernard R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Mignon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000097:blood*; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000276:immunology*; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005657:Fungal Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D045726:Metalloproteases / Q000276:immunology; D008864:Microsporum / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014611:Vaccination; D022223:Vaccines, Subunit / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000908:Antibodies, Fungal; D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D005657:Fungal Vaccines; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D022223:Vaccines, Subunit; D045726:Metalloproteases