Glucan as an adjuvant for a murine Babesia microti immunization trial
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Abstract:
A vaccination protocol against murine Babesia microti infection, using glucan, a beta-1,3-glucopyranose derivative of yeast cell walls, and glutaraldehyde-fixed infected erythrocytes was evaluated. BALB/c mice were immunized intravenously four times at 2-day intervals with 2 X 10(8) fixed infected erythrocytes with and without glucan (0.45 mg). The mice were challenged 2 weeks after the last immunization with 10(8) viable infected erythrocytes. Peak parasitemia was significantly reduced (8.9 +/- 1.0%; P less than 0.001) in glucan-immunized mice as compared with nonimmunized controls (41.2 +/- 1.4%), glucan-treated controls (31.7 +/- 2.5%; P less than 0.05), or mice which received fixed infected erythrocytes without glucan (21.0 +/- 1.2%; P less than 0.01). Humoral and cellular immunity to B. microti was evaluated before challenge by measuring antibody titers and splenocyte blastogenic responses to B. microti antigens. The in vitro cellular response was inversely correlated with mean peak parasitemia (P less than 0.05). These observations demonstrate that glucan is an effective adjuvant in enhancing immunity to murine babesiosis.
Insights
Glucan, a yeast derivative, significantly enhances immune response against Babesia microti infection in mice. This vaccination protocol, using fixed infected erythrocytes with glucan, reduced peak parasitemia, indicating its potential as an effective adjuvant therapy.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Parasitology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Babesia microti infection poses a significant threat to murine models, necessitating effective vaccination strategies.
- Current vaccination protocols require enhancement to improve efficacy against parasitic infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a novel vaccination protocol for murine Babesia microti infection.
- To assess the adjuvant potential of glucan in combination with fixed infected erythrocytes.
Main Methods:
- BALB/c mice were intravenously immunized with glutaraldehyde-fixed Babesia microti-infected erythrocytes, with or without glucan.
- Mice received four immunizations at 2-day intervals, followed by challenge with viable infected erythrocytes.
- Humoral and cellular immune responses, including antibody titers and splenocyte blastogenic responses, were measured.
Main Results:
- Glucan-immunized mice exhibited significantly reduced peak parasitemia (8.9%) compared to controls (41.2%) and non-glucan groups (31.7%, 21.0%).
- A significant inverse correlation was observed between in vitro cellular immune response and mean peak parasitemia.
- Glucan demonstrated a significant adjuvant effect, enhancing both humoral and cellular immunity.
Conclusions:
- Glucan acts as an effective adjuvant in a vaccination protocol against murine Babesia microti.
- The developed vaccination strategy shows promise for controlling babesiosis in murine models.
- Further research into glucan's immunomodulatory properties could lead to improved anti-parasitic vaccines.
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