Immunization Against Cutaneous Leishmaniasis by Alginate Microspheres Loaded With Autoclaved Leishmania Major (ALM) and Quillaja Saponins

Document Type : Research article

Authors

1 Biotechnology and Nanotechnology Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS), Mashhad, Iran

2 Nanotechnology Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 91775-1365, Mashhad, Iran

3 Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Leishmania antigens are weak immunogens and need to be potentiated by various adjuvants and delivery systems. Alginate microspheres as an antigen delivery system and Quillaja saponins (QS) as an immunoadjuvant have been used to enhance the immune response against Autoclaved Leishmania major (ALM). Microspheres were prepared by an emulsification technique and characterized for size, encapsulation efficiency and release profile of encapsulates. BALB/c mice were immunized three times in 3-weeks intervals using ALM plus QS loaded microspheres [(ALM+QS)ALG], ALM encapsulated with alginate microspheres [(ALM)ALG], (ALM)ALG + QS, ALM + QS, ALM alone or PBS. The intensity of infection induced by L. major challenge was assessed by measuring size of footpad swelling. The strongest protection, showed by significantly (P < 0.05) smaller footpad, were observed in mice immunized with (ALM)ALG+QS. The (ALM+QS)ALG, ALM and PBS groups showed the least protection and highest swelling, while the (ALM)ALG and ALM+QS showed an intermediate protection with no significant difference. The mice immunized with (ALM+QS)ALG showed the highest IgG2a/IgG1 ratio (P<0.05). The highest IFN-γ and IL-4 production was seen in ALM+QS (P<0.01). It is concluded that QS adjuvant has a mixed Th1/Th2 effect and has increased both humoral and cellular immune responses.

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Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Volume 15, Issue 2 - Serial Number 2
Spring 2016
Pages 573-581

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