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Optimization of a mouse immunization protocol with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis antigens
A V Almeida1, J Fogaça, L G Chamma
1Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu-UNESP, Brasil.
Memorias Do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Optimizing mouse immunization with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis antigens simplifies protocols. Low-dose cyclophosphamide (Cy) enhances delayed hypersensitivity response (DHR) in immunized mice, while high doses inhibit it.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is a fungus causing paracoccidioidomycosis.
- The delayed hypersensitivity response (DHR) is a key immune mechanism in fungal infections.
- Optimizing immunization protocols is crucial for studying host-pathogen interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To refine the Rifkind's protocol for mouse immunization using P. brasiliensis antigens.
- To investigate the impact of cyclophosphamide (Cy) on the DHR in P. brasiliensis-immunized mice.
Main Methods:
- Mice were immunized with varying doses of P. brasiliensis antigens (crude particulate or yeast-cell).
- The DHR was assessed 4 or 7 days post-immunization.
- Cyclophosphamide (2.5, 20, or 100 mg/kg) was administered at different intervals relative to immunization.
Main Results:
- Two or three immunizing doses yielded higher DHR indices compared to one dose.
- Yeast-cell antigen with a 4-day DHR test simplified the protocol.
- Low-dose Cy (2.5 mg/kg) augmented DHR, while high-dose Cy (100 mg/kg) suppressed it; 20 mg/kg had no effect.
Conclusions:
- A simplified immunization protocol using yeast-cell antigen and a 4-day DHR test is effective.
- Low-dose cyclophosphamide exhibits immunostimulatory effects on the DHR in P. brasiliensis-immunized mice.
- Higher cyclophosphamide doses demonstrate immunosuppressive properties.