title: BCG and BCG/DNAhsp65 vaccinations promote protective effects without deleterious consequences for experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
abstract: A prime-boost strategy conserving BCG is considered the most promising vaccine to control tuberculosis. A boost with a DNA vaccine containing the mycobacterial gene of a heat shock protein (pVAXhsp65) after BCG priming protected mice against experimental tuberculosis. However, anti-hsp65 immunity could worsen an autoimmune disease due to molecular mimicry. In this investigation, we evaluated the effect of a previous BCG or BCG/pVAXhsp65 immunization on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) development. Female Lewis rats were immunized with BCG or BCG followed by pVAXhsp65 boosters. The animals underwent EAE induction and were daily evaluated for weight loss and clinical score. They were euthanized during recovery phase to assess immune response and inflammatory infiltration at the central nervous system. Previous immunization did not aggravate or accelerate clinical score or weight loss. In addition, this procedure clearly decreased inflammation in the brain. BCG immunization modulated the host immune response by triggering a significant reduction in IL-10 and IFN-γ levels induced by myelin basic protein. These data indicated that vaccination protocols with BCG or BCG followed by boosters with pVAXhsp65 did not trigger a deleterious effect on EAE evolution.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), 18618-970 Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sofia Fernanda Gonçalves
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Zorzella-Pezavento
authors.forename: Clara Pires Fujiara
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Guerino
authors.forename: Fernanda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chiuso-Minicucci
authors.forename: Thais Graziela Donegá
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: França
authors.forename: Larissa Lumi Watanabe
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Ishikawa
authors.forename: Ana Paula
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Masson
authors.forename: Célio Lopes
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Alexandrina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sartori
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D001921:Brain / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002417:Cattle; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis / Q000276:immunology*; D051381:Rats; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014380:Tuberculosis, Bovine / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D001500:BCG Vaccine; D016753:Interleukin-10; D007371:Interferon-gamma