Immunogenicity is unrelated to protective immunity when induced by soluble and particulate antigens from Nocardia brasiliensis in BALB/c mice.
Cell-mediated immunity plays a major role in protection against intracellular microbes. Nocardia brasiliensis is a facultative intracellular pathogen that causes chronic actinomycetoma. In this work, we injected BALB/c mice with soluble P24 and particulate antigens from N. brasiliensis. A higher antibody titer and lymphocyte proliferation was induced by the particulate antigen than by the soluble antigen. However, five months after antigen injection, antibody concentration and lymphocyte proliferation were similar. An increase in CD45R and CD4 T cells was unrelated to protective immunity. Active immunization with soluble or particulate antigens induced complete protection during the primary immune response. This protective response was IgM mediated. The higher immunogenicity was not related to protective immunity since the particulate antigen induced protection similar to the soluble antigen. Using particulate antigens for vaccination guarantees a stronger immune response, local and systemic side effects, but not necessarily protection.
Salinas-Carmona
Mario C
MC
Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, Gonzalitos #235 Mitras, Monterrey, Nuevo León 64460, México. msalinas@hu.uanl.mx
Ramos
Alma I
AI
Pérez-Rivera
Isabel
I
D000818:Animals; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009615:Nocardia / Q000276:immunology*; D009617:Nocardia Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D007075:Immunoglobulin M