title: Modulation of the immune system by Listeria monocytogenes-mediated gene transfer into mammalian cells.
abstract: In this study, we established a method for Listeria monocytogenes(Lm)-mediated gene transfer into mammalian cells to manipulate the immune response of the host during infection by pathogens. We used the Lm-mediated gene transfer method in an in vivo study to manipulate host immune responses against Leishmania major(L. major )-infection. The injection of Lm modulated the susceptible host into a resistant state against L. major-infection. A more efficient protective effect was obtained with the injection of IL-12-cDNA containing Lm, and the protective effect was stronger than that of the resistant strain. The protective mechanism of Lm-injection against L. major-infection observed here appeared to be a result of the activation of the local immune system by the Lm-mediated gene transfer method. The present study is the first demonstration that a gene introduced into a host by Lm works to modulate the murine host immune response against infections in vivo. Since this system strongly induces Th1 responses and suppresses Th2 responses in infected hosts, the system can be used for controlling infectious diseases and for protection against allergic responses in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Host Defenses, Ehime University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kanoh
authors.forename: Fengzhi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Saho
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maruyama
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Asano
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019556:COS Cells; D018938:Caco-2 Cells; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D006801:Humans; D018320:Leishmania major; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000276:immunology*; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D014161:Transduction, Genetic
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins