Prime-boost immunization with cruzipain co-administered with MALP-2 triggers a protective immune response able to decrease parasite burden and tissue injury in an experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infection model.

CAZORLA SI, FRANK FM, BECKER P, CORRAL RS, GUZMAN CA, MALCHIODI EL.

VACCINE

ELSEVIER SCI LTD

Año: 2008 vol. 26 p. 1999 - 2009

0264-410X

Cruzipain (Cz), a key Trypanosoma cruzi enzyme, is a main candidate antigen for vaccines against Chagas’ disease. We evaluated a vaccination protocol based on intradermal priming with recombinant Cz and intranasal boosting with rCz co-administered with a derivative of the TLR2/6 agonist MALP-2. Vaccination triggered strong systemic and mucosal antibody responses, and a vigorous cell-mediated immunity characterized by lymphoproliferation, DTH reactivity and IFN-g production. The immune responses protected against a lethal trypomastigote challenge and, upon sub-lethal infection, immunized mice showed reduction of tissue damage and normal enzymatic markers of muscle injury. This prime-boost regimen appears promising for further development, since warranted survival, provided efficient control of parasite load and restricted inflammatory myopathy.