Gene transcription profile in mice vaccinated with ultraviolet-attenuated cercariae of Schistosoma japonicum reveals molecules contributing to elevated IFN-gamma levels.
Vaccination with ultraviolet-attenuated cercariae of Schistosoma japonicum induced protective immunity against challenge infection in experimental animal models. Our preliminary study on the transcription levels of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in splenic CD4+ T cells revealed that attenuated cercariae elicited predominantly a Th1 response in mice at the early stage, whereas normal cercariae stimulated primarily Th2-dependent responses. Further analysis on the gene profile of the skin-draining lymph nodes demonstrated that the levels of IFN-gamma were significantly higher in vaccinated mice than those in infected mice at day 4, 7 and 14 post-vaccination or post-infection. However, for IL-12 and IL-4, the potent inducers of Th1 and Th2 responses, respectively, as well as IL-10, there were no differences over the course of the experiment between the infected and vaccinated mice. To explore the underlying factors that may potentially contribute to elevated IFN-gamma in vaccinated mice, the mRNA profiles of the skin-draining lymph nodes at day 4 post-exposure were compared using oligonucleotide microarrays. Within the 847 probe sets with increased signal values, we focused on chemokines, cytokines and relevant receptors, which were validated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. A comprehensive understanding of the immune mechanisms of attenuated cercariae-induced protection may contribute to developing efficient vaccination strategies against S. japonicum, especially during the early stage of infection.
Zhu
Xiang
X
Department of Pathogenic Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.
Zhang
Zhao-Song
ZS
Ji
Min-Jun
MJ
Wu
Hai-Wei
HW
Wang
Yong
Y
Cai
Xiao-Ping
XP
Zhang
Lei
L
Hu
Shu-Ying
SY
Fu
Lin-Lin
LL
Liu
Feng
F
Su
Chuan
C
Wu
Guan-Ling
GL
D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood*; D007814:Larva / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D012549:Schistosoma japonicum / Q000276:immunology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000097:blood*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods*; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000528:radiation effects
D016207:Cytokines; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated; D007371:Interferon-gamma