Th1 and Th2 indices of the immune response in pigs vaccinated against Taenia solium cysticercosis suggest various host immune strategies against the parasite.

Abstract

Kinetics of the production of serum antibody levels and Th1 (IL-2, IFN-gamma) and Th2 (IL-4, IL-10) cytokines was studied in five pigs vaccinated with a synthetic tri-peptide vaccine (S3Pvac) against Taenia solium, a vaccine that has been shown protects pigs against naturally acquired infection. Healthy pigs of mixed genetic background, similar to those bred in rural villages of Mexico, were vaccinated with S3Pvac or with adjuvant alone, kept in sanitary conditions and bled at different times after vaccination to study the development of their specific immune response. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of vaccinated pigs showed a significant increment in the production of Th1 cytokines (IL-2 and IFN-gamma) but not of Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) after specific PBLs stimulation with all the individual peptides. A Th1-inclined cytokine profile leading to an exacerbated local inflammation at the early installation stage of the cysticercus may possibly interfere with their successful establishment in the serum antibodies against total cysticercus antigens and against each of the three different peptides comprising S3Pvac were detected 7-51 days after vaccination. Antibodies against GK-1 interfered with the cysticerci development into intestinal tapeworms in prednisolone-treated hamsters. The sub-lethal crippling effect of anti-GK-1 antibodies upon cysticerci indicates to a therapeutic application of S3Pvac in infected pigs having potential epidemiological consequences, as it could aid in decreasing the number of tapeworms expected to develop from the few cysticerci that survive in the vaccinated pigs.

• Authors: María Alicia Díaz, Nelly Villalobos, Aline de Aluja, Gabriela Rosas, Eduardo Goméz-Conde, Pablo Hernández, Carlos Larralde, Edda Sciutto, Gladis Fragoso
• Journal: Veterinary immunology and immunopathology (Vet Immunol Immunopathol) Vol. 93 Issue 3-4 Pg. 81-90 (Jun 20 2003) ISSN: 0165-2427 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 12814694 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Helminth
• Vaccines

Topics

• Animals
• Antibodies, Helminth (blood)
• Cysticercosis (immunology, prevention & control)
• Female
• Host-Parasite Interactions
• Male
• Swine (immunology)
• Swine Diseases (immunology, prevention & control)
• Taenia solium (growth & development, immunology)
• Th1 Cells (immunology)
• Th2 Cells (immunology)
• Vaccines (immunology)