title: Plasmid DNA immunization with Trypanosoma cruzi genes induces cardiac and clinical protection against Chagas disease in the canine model.
abstract: The only existing preventive measure against American trypanosomosis, or Chagas disease, is the control of the transmitting insect, which has only been effective in a few South American regions. Currently, there is no vaccine available to prevent this disease. Here, we present the clinical and cardiac levels of protection induced by expression to Trypanosoma cruzi genes encoding the TcSP and TcSSP4 proteins in the canine model. Physical examination, diagnostic chagasic serology, and serial electrocardiograms were performed before and after immunization, as well as after experimental infection. We found that immunization with recombinant plasmids prevented hyperthermia in the acute phase of experimental infection and produced lymphadenomegaly as an immunological response against the parasite and additionally prevented heart rate elevation (tachycardia) in the acute and/or chronic stages of infection. Immunization with T. cruzi genes encoding the TcSP and TcSSP4 antigens diminished the quality and quantity of the electrocardiographic abnormalities, thereby avoiding progression to more severe developments such as right bundle branch block or ventricular premature complexes in a greater number of dogs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez", Juan Badiano No, 1, Col, Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico City, 14080, Mexico. mini_arce@yahoo.com.mx.
authors.forename: Olivia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Morales
authors.forename: M Magdalena
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Pérez-Leyva
authors.forename: Martha A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ballinas-Verdugo
authors.forename: Silvia C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Carrillo-Sánchez
authors.forename: J Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Rosales-Encina
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alejandre-Aguilar
authors.forename: Pedro A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Reyes
authors.forename: Minerva
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arce-Fonseca
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D016052:Protozoan Vaccines / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D016052:Protozoan Vaccines; C501457:SSP4 protein, Trypanosoma cruzi; D019444:Vaccines, DNA; D007371:Interferon-gamma