scholarly journals Intranasal Vaccination with a Secreted Chlamydial Protein Enhances Resolution of Genital Chlamydia muridarum Infection, Protects against Oviduct Pathology, and Is Highly Dependent upon Endogenous Gamma Interferon Production

2006 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 666-676 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashlesh K. Murthy ◽  
James P. Chambers ◽  
Patricia A. Meier ◽  
Guangming Zhong ◽  
Bernard P. Arulanandam
Keyword(s):  
Protective Immunity ◽  
Vaccination Strategy ◽  
Gamma Interferon ◽  
Productive Infection ◽  
Interleukin 12 ◽  
Bacterial Disease ◽  
Chlamydia Muridarum ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Phosphate Buffered Saline

ABSTRACT There is currently no licensed vaccine against Chlamydia trachomatis, the leading cause of sexually transmitted bacterial disease worldwide. Conventional vaccination attempts using surface-exposed chlamydial antigens have achieved only partial success. We have employed a novel vaccination strategy using a secreted protein, chlamydial protease-like activity factor (CPAF), which has been shown to degrade host major histocompatibility complex transcription factors and keratin-8 and therefore may allow immune evasion and establishment of a productive infection. Intranasal immunization using recombinant CPAF (rCPAF) plus interleukin-12 (IL-12) (rCPAF+IL-12 immunization) was used to assess the protective immunity against genital Chlamydia muridarum infection in BALB/c mice. rCPAF+IL-12 immunization induced robust gamma interferon (IFN-γ) production and minimal IL-4 production by splenocytes upon in vitro recall with rCPAF. The total and immunoglobulin G2a (IgG2a) anti-rCPAF antibody levels in serum were significantly elevated after rCPAF+IL-12 vaccination, as were the total antibody, IgG2a, and IgA levels in bronchoalveolar lavage and vaginal fluids when the animals were compared to animals that received rCPAF alone. rCPAF+IL-12-vaccinated mice displayed significantly reduced bacterial shedding upon chlamydial challenge and accelerated resolution of infection compared to mock-immunized (phosphate-buffered saline) animals. Moreover, rCPAF+IL-12-immunized animals exhibited protection against pathological consequences of chlamydial infection, including the development of hydrosalpinx and oviduct dilatation. This vaccination regimen also reduced the development of fibrosis and the influx of neutrophils into the upper genital tract when the animals were compared to mock-immunized (phosphate-buffered saline) animals after bacterial challenge. rCPAF+IL-12-mediated resolution of the bacterial infection and protection against Chlamydia-induced inflammatory disease were highly dependent on endogenous IFN-γ production. Together, these results demonstrate that secreted chlamydial antigens may be novel vaccine candidates to induce protective immunity.

scholarly journals Toll-Like Receptor 2 Controls the Gamma Interferon Response to Francisella tularensis by Mouse Liver Lymphocytes

2007 ◽  
Vol 75 (11) ◽  
pp. 5338-5345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kee-Jong Hong ◽  
Jason R. Wickstrum ◽  
Hung-Wen Yeh ◽  
Michael J. Parmely
Keyword(s):  
Francisella Tularensis ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Gamma Interferon ◽  
Interferon Response ◽  
Interleukin 12 ◽  
Toll Like Receptor ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Deficient Mice

ABSTRACT The production of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) is a key step in the protective innate immune response to Francisella tularensis. Natural killer cells and T cells in the liver are important sources of this cytokine during primary F. tularensis infections, and interleukin-12 (IL-12) appears to be an essential coactivating cytokine for hepatic IFN-γ expression. The present study was undertaken to determine whether or not macrophages (Mφ) or dendritic cells (DC) provide coactivating signals for the liver IFN-γ response in vitro, whether IL-12 mediates these effects, and whether Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling is essential to induce this costimulatory activity. Both bone marrow-derived Mφ and DC significantly augmented the IFN-γ response of F. tularensis-challenged liver lymphocytes in vitro. While both cell types produced IL-12p40 in response to F. tularensis challenge, only DC secreted large quantities of IL-12p70. DC from both IL-12p35-deficient and TLR2-deficient mice failed to produce IL-12p70 and did not costimulate liver lymphocytes for IFN-γ production in response to viable F. tularensis organisms. Conversely, liver lymphocytes from TLR2-deficient mice cocultured with wild-type accessory cells produced IFN-γ at levels comparable to those for wild-type hepatic lymphocytes. These findings indicate that TLR2 controls hepatic lymphocyte IFN-γ responses to F. tularensis by regulating DC IL-12 production. While Mφ also coinduced hepatic IFN-γ production in response to F. tularensis, they did so in a fashion less dependent on TLR2.

scholarly journals The Protozoan Neospora caninum Directly Triggers Bovine NK Cells To Produce Gamma Interferon and To Kill Infected Fibroblasts

2006 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 953-960 ◽  
Author(s):  
Preben Boysen ◽  
Siv Klevar ◽  
Ingrid Olsen ◽  
Anne K. Storset
Keyword(s):  
Nk Cells ◽  
Nk Cell ◽  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Gamma Interferon ◽  
Functional Study ◽  
Interleukin 12 ◽  
Protozoan Infection ◽  
Autologous Fibroblasts ◽  
Ifn Γ

ABSTRACT Natural killer (NK) cells are considered to be key players in the early innate responses to protozoan infections, primarily indirectly by producing gamma interferon (IFN-γ) in response to cytokines, like interleukin 12 (IL-12). We demonstrate that live, as well as heat-inactivated, tachyzoites of Neospora caninum, a Toxoplasma-like protozoan, directly trigger production of IFN-γ from purified, IL-2-activated bovine NK cells. This response occurred independently of IL-12 but was increased by the addition of the cytokine. A similar IFN-γ response was measured in cocultures of NK cells and N. caninum-infected autologous fibroblasts. However, no NK cell-derived IFN-γ response was detected when cells were cultured with soluble antigens from the organism, indicating that intact tachyzoites or nonsoluble components are necessary for NK cell triggering. Furthermore, N. caninum-infected autologous fibroblasts had increased susceptibility to NK cell cytotoxicity compared to uninfected fibroblasts. This cytotoxicity was largely mediated by a perforin-mediated mechanism. The activating receptor NKp46 was involved in cytotoxicity against fibroblasts but could not explain the increased cytotoxicity against infected targets. Interestingly, N. caninum tachyzoites were able to infect cultured NK cells, in which tachyzoites proliferated inside parasitophorous vacuoles. Together, these findings underscore the role of NK cells as primary responders during a protozoan infection, describe intracellular protozoan infection of NK cells in vitro for the first time, and represent the first functional study of purified bovine NK cells in response to infection.

scholarly journals The CXC Chemokines Gamma Interferon (IFN-γ)-Inducible Protein 10 and Monokine Induced by IFN-γ Are Released during Severe Melioidosis

2000 ◽  
Vol 68 (7) ◽  
pp. 3888-3893 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fanny N. Lauw ◽  
Andrew J. H. Simpson ◽  
Jan M. Prins ◽  
Sander J. H. van Deventer ◽  
Wipada Chaowagul ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Infection ◽  
Host Defense ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Gamma Interferon ◽  
Interleukin 12 ◽  
Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽  
Activated T Lymphocytes ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Inducible Protein

ABSTRACT Gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) and monokine induced by IFN-γ (Mig) are related CXC chemokines which bind to the CXCR3 receptor and specifically target activated T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells. The production of IP-10 and Mig by various cell types in vitro is strongly dependent on IFN-γ. To determine whether IP-10 and Mig are released during bacterial infection in humans, we measured plasma levels of IP-10 and Mig in patients with melioidosis, a severe gram-negative infection caused byBurkholderia pseudomallei. IP-10 and Mig were markedly elevated in patients with melioidosis on admission, particularly in blood culture-positive patients, and remained elevated during the 72-h study period. Levels of IP-10 and Mig showed a positive correlation with IFN-γ concentrations and also correlated with clinical outcome. In whole blood stimulated with heat-killed B. pseudomallei, neutralization of IFN-γ and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) partly attenuated IP-10 and Mig release, while anti-interleukin-12 (IL-12) and anti-IL-18 had a synergistic effect. Stimulation with other bacteria or endotoxin also induced strong secretion of IP-10 and Mig. These data suggest that IP-10 and Mig are part of the innate immune response to bacterial infection. IP-10 and Mig may contribute to host defense in Th1-mediated host defense during infections by attracting CXCR3+ Th1 cells to the site of inflammation.

scholarly journals Gamma Interferon Is Dispensable for Neopterin Production In Vivo

2005 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 1437-1441 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Sghiri ◽  
J. Feinberg ◽  
F. Thabet ◽  
K. Dellagi ◽  
J. Boukadida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Monocyte ◽  
Gamma Interferon ◽  
Interleukin 12 ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Deleterious Mutations ◽  
Serum Neopterin ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Dependent Pathway

ABSTRACT Previous studies have indicated that neopterin is synthesized in vitro by human monocyte-derived macrophages and dendritic cells upon stimulation with gamma interferon (IFN-γ). Neopterin production under specific conditions in vitro has also been obtained upon stimulation with IFN-α and/or IFN-β. However, it is unknown if any IFN-γ-independent neopterin synthesis is possible in vivo. In the present study we investigated the serum neopterin concentrations in patients affected by the syndrome of Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial disease (MSMD). Indeed, this syndrome is characterized by deeply impaired or absent IFN-γ production or function due to severe mutations in molecules involved in IFN-γ/interleukin-12 (IL-12)/IL-23-dependent pathway. Serum neopterin levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 27 patients with MSMD. We found that serum neopterin levels are elevated in the complete absence of IFN-γ activity due either to a complete deficiency of its receptor or to deleterious mutations of IL-12 or its receptor. These data clearly indicate that, as reported from in vitro studies, other stimuli are able to induce neopterin synthesis in vivo. Consequently, neopterin cannot be used as means of diagnosis of MSMD due to IFN-γ-, IL-12-, and IL-23-dependent pathway defects.

scholarly journals Vaccination with Novel Immunostimulatory Adjuvants against Blood-Stage Malaria in Mice

2003 ◽  
Vol 71 (9) ◽  
pp. 5178-5187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhong Su ◽  
Mi-Fong Tam ◽  
Dragana Jankovic ◽  
Mary M. Stevenson
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Protective Immunity ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Challenge Infection ◽  
Blood Stage ◽  
Interleukin 12 ◽  
Antigen Preparation ◽  
Malaria Antigen ◽  
Ifn Γ

ABSTRACT An important aspect of malaria vaccine development is the identification of an appropriate adjuvant which is both capable of stimulating a protective immune response and safe for use by humans. Here, we investigated the feasibility of using novel immunostimulatory molecules as adjuvants combined with a crude antigen preparation and coadsorbed to aluminum hydroxide (alum) as a vaccine against blood-stage Plasmodium chabaudi AS malaria. Prior to challenge infection, immunization of genetically susceptible A/J mice with the combination of malaria antigen plus recombinant interleukin-12 (IL-12) in alum induced a Th1 immune response with production of high levels of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and diminished IL-4 levels by spleen cells stimulated in vitro with parasite antigen compared to mice immunized with antigen alone, antigen in alum, or antigen plus IL-12. Mice immunized with malaria antigen plus recombinant IL-12 in alum had high levels of total malaria-specific antibody and immunoglobulin G2a. Compared to unimmunized mice, immunization with antigen plus IL-12 in alum induced the highest level of protective immunity against challenge infection with P. chabaudi AS, which was evident as a significantly decreased peak parasitemia level and 100% survival. Protective immunity was dependent on CD4+ T cells, IFN-γ, and B cells and was long-lasting. Replacement of IL-12 as an adjuvant by synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) containing CpG motifs induced a similar level of vaccine-induced protection against challenge infection with P. chabaudi AS. These results illustrate that it is possible to enhance the potency of a crude malaria antigen preparation delivered in alum by inclusion of immunostimulatory molecules, such as IL-12 or CpG-ODN.

scholarly journals Central Role of Endogenous Gamma Interferon in Protective Immunity against Blood-Stage Plasmodium chabaudi AS Infection

2000 ◽  
Vol 68 (8) ◽  
pp. 4399-4406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhong Su ◽  
Mary M. Stevenson
Keyword(s):  
Protective Immunity ◽  
Gamma Interferon ◽  
Blood Stage ◽  
No Production ◽  
Plasmodium Chabaudi ◽  
Spleen Cells ◽  
Parasite Antigen ◽  
Ifn Γ

ABSTRACT The role of endogenous gamma interferon (IFN-γ) in protective immunity against blood-stage Plasmodium chabaudi AS malaria was studied using IFN-γ gene knockout (GKO) and wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 mice. Following infection with 106 parasitized erythrocytes, GKO mice developed significantly higher parasitemia during acute infection than WT mice and had severe mortality. In infected GKO mice, production of interleukin 12 (IL-12) p70 and tumor necrosis factor alpha in vivo and IL-12 p70 in vitro by splenic macrophages was significantly reduced compared to that in WT mice and the enhanced nitric oxide (NO) production observed in infected WT mice was completely absent. WT and GKO mice had comparable numbers of total nucleated spleen cells and B220+ and Mac-1+spleen cells both before and after infection. Infected WT mice, however, had significantly more F4/80+, NK1.1+, and F4/80+Ia+ spleen cells than infected GKO mice; male WT had more CD3+ cells than male GKO mice. In comparison with those from WT mice, splenocytes from infected GKO mice had significantly higher proliferation in vitro in response to parasite antigen or concanavalin A stimulation and produced significantly higher levels of IL-10 in response to parasite antigen. Infected WT mice produced more parasite-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgG2a, and IgG3 and less IgG1 than GKO mice. Significant gender differences in both GKO and WT mice in peak parasitemia levels, mortality, phenotypes of spleen cells, and proliferation of and cytokine production by splenocytes in vitro were apparent during infection. These results thus provide unequivocal evidence for the central role of endogenous IFN-γ in the development of protective immunity against blood-stage P. chabaudi AS.

scholarly journals Roles of Interleukin-12 and Gamma Interferon in Murine Chlamydia pneumoniae Infection

2000 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 2245-2253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuemei Geng ◽  
Klara Berencsi ◽  
Zsofia Gyulai ◽  
Tibor Valyi-Nagy ◽  
Eva Gonczol ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Pneumoniae ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Gamma Interferon ◽  
Interleukin 12 ◽  
Chain Gene ◽  
Pathological Changes ◽  
Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
And Control

ABSTRACT BALB/c and strain 129 mice infected intranasally withChlamydia pneumoniae displayed a moderate-to-severe inflammation in the lungs and produced interleukin-12 (IL-12), gamma interferon (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and IL-10, with peak levels on days 1 to 3 postinfection (p.i.), returning to basal levels by day 16 p.i. Anti-IL-12 treatment resulted in less-severe pathological changes but higher bacterial titers on days 3 and 7 p.i. By day 16 p.i., the inflammatory responses of control antibody-treated mice subsided. The bacterial titers of both anti-IL-12- and control antibody-treated mice decreased within 3 weeks to marginally detectable levels. Anti-IL-12 treatment significantly reduced lung IFN-γ production and in vitro spleen cell IFN-γ production in response to either C. pneumoniae or concanavalin A. In γ-irradiated infected mice, cytokine production was delayed, and this delay correlated with high bacterial titers in the lungs. Following C. pneumoniae infection, 129 mice lacking the IFN-γ receptor α chain gene (G129 mice) produced similar IL-12 levels and exhibited similarly severe pathological changes but had higher bacterial titers than 129 mice. However, by day 45 p.i., bacterial titers became undetectable in both wild-type 129 and G129 mice. Thus, during C. pneumoniae lung infection, IL-12, more than IFN-γ, plays a role in pulmonary-cell infiltration. IFN-γ and IL-12, acting mostly through its induction of IFN-γ and Th1 responses, play an important role in controlling acuteC. pneumoniae infection in the lungs, but eventually all mice control the infection to undetectable levels by IL-12- and IFN-γ-independent mechanisms.

scholarly journals Chlamydial Protease-Like Activity Factor Induces Protective Immunity against Genital Chlamydial Infection in Transgenic Mice That Express the Human HLA-DR4 Allele

2006 ◽  
Vol 74 (12) ◽  
pp. 6722-6729 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashlesh K. Murthy ◽  
Yu Cong ◽  
Cathi Murphey ◽  
M. Neal Guentzel ◽  
Thomas G. Forsthuber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mhc Class Ii ◽  
Protective Immunity ◽  
Chlamydial Infection ◽  
Transmitted Disease ◽  
Class Ii ◽  
Interleukin 12 ◽  
Chlamydia Muridarum ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Activity Factor ◽  
Ifn Γ

ABSTRACT There is no licensed vaccine available against Chlamydia trachomatis, the leading cause of bacterial sexually transmitted disease. We have found that intranasal immunization with recombinant chlamydial protease-like activity factor (CPAF) induces CD4+ T-cell- and gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-dependent protective immunity against murine genital chlamydial infection, thus making CPAF a viable vaccine candidate for further characterization. HLA-DR4 is the predominant allele involved in chlamydial antigen presentation to CD4+ T cells in humans. We used engineered mice that lack endogenous major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) alleles but express a human HLA allele (HLA-DR4 transgenic [tg] mice) to examine primary immune and CPAF-mediated responses against genital Chlamydia muridarum challenge. Upon primary bacterial exposure, HLA-DR4 tg mice developed Chlamydia-specific IFN-γ and antibody production and resolved the infection within 30 days, similar to challenged conventional C57BL/6 animals. Moreover, C. muridarum-challenged HLA-DR4 tg mice exhibited CPAF-specific antibody and IFN-γ production. Upon CPAF-plus-interleukin-12 (IL-12) vaccination, HLA-DR4 tg animals exhibited robust CPAF-specific IFN-γ production and elevated titers of anti-CPAF total antibody and immunoglobulin G2a (IgG2a) and lower titers of IgG2b and IgG1 antibodies. HLA-DR4 tg and C57BL/6 mice vaccinated with CPAF plus IL-12 resolved the primary genital chlamydial infection significantly earlier than mock-immunized animals, whereas similarly vaccinated MHC class II-deficient mice displayed minimal antigen-specific immune responses and failed to resolve the infection even at 30 days postchallenge. Together, these results demonstrate the importance of human HLA-DR4 molecules in the recognition and presentation of CPAF epitopes, leading to the generation of protective antichlamydial immunity and making these mice a valuable model for mapping HLA-DR4-restricted chlamydial epitopes.

scholarly journals Interleukin 12 in Part Regulates Gamma Interferon Release in Human Whole Blood Stimulated with Leptospira interrogans

2003 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 332-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maaike de Fost ◽  
Rudy A. Hartskeerl ◽  
Martijn R. Groenendijk ◽  
Tom van der Poll
Keyword(s):  
Whole Blood ◽  
Gamma Interferon ◽  
Interleukin 12 ◽  
Leptospira Interrogans ◽  
Type I ◽  
Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽  
Human Whole Blood ◽  
Factor Alpha ◽  
Ifn Γ

ABSTRACT Heat-killed pathogenic Leptospira interrogans serovar rachmati induced the production of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and the IFN-γ-inducing cytokines interleukin-12p40 (IL-12p40) and tumor necrosis factor alpha in human whole blood in vitro. The production of IFN-γ was largely dependent on IL-12. These data establish that pathogenic leptospires can stimulate the production of type I cytokines involved in cellular immunity.

scholarly journals Interleukin-12 Promotes Gamma Interferon-Dependent Neutrophil Recruitment in the Lung and Improves Protection against Respiratory Streptococcus pneumoniae Infection

2007 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 1196-1202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keer Sun ◽  
Sharon L. Salmon ◽  
Steven A. Lotz ◽  
Dennis W. Metzger
Keyword(s):  
Streptococcus Pneumoniae ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Gamma Interferon ◽  
Neutrophil Recruitment ◽  
Interleukin 12 ◽  
Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽  
Innate Defense ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Ifn Γ

ABSTRACT The ability of exogenous interleukin-12 (IL-12) to elicit protective innate immune responses against the extracellular pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae was tested by infecting BALB/c mice intranasally (i.n.) with S. pneumoniae after i.n. administration of IL-12. It was found that administration of IL-12 resulted in lower bacterial burdens in the infected mice and significantly improved survival rates. All IL-12-treated mice contained higher levels of pulmonary gamma interferon (IFN-γ) after infection and significantly more neutrophils than infected mice not treated with IL-12. IFN-γ was found to be essential for IL-12-induced resistance and for neutrophil influx into the lungs, and the observed changes correlated with increased levels of the IL-8 homologue keratinocyte-derived chemokine (KC). In addition, in vitro tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production by alveolar macrophages stimulated with heat-killed pneumococci was enhanced by IFN-γ, and TNF-α in turn could enhance production of KC by lung cells. Finally, IL-12-induced protection was dependent upon the presence of neutrophils and the KC receptor CXCR2. Taken together, the results indicate that exogenous IL-12 can improve innate defense in the lung against S. pneumoniae by inducing IFN-γ production, which in turn enhances chemokine expression, and promotes pulmonary neutrophil recruitment into the infected lung. The findings show that IL-12 and IFN-γ can mediate a protective effect against respiratory infection caused by extracellular bacterial pathogens.

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