DNA-based vaccination against murine paracoccidioidomycosis using the gp43gene from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

Gp43, the major 43-kDa antigenic glycoprotein of Paracoccidioides brasilien sis, or its 15-amino acid inner peptide (P10), induces a T-CD4(+), Th1 cell ular immune response which protects BALB/c mice from intratracheal infectio n by virulent yeast forms. We investigated whether DNA vaccination using th e gp43 gene could elicit protective immunity against P. brasiliensis. Anima ls immunised intramuscularly (i.m.) or intradermally (i.d.) with plasmid DN A containing the gp43 gene induced a specific, long lasting humoral and cel lular immune response. A mixed Th1/Th2 cellular immune response in DNA-immu nized mice was modulated in vivo by IFN-gamma and was protective in BALB/c mice. A significant decrease in the lung colony forming units (CFUs) and re duced, or no dissemination to the spleen and liver of immunised mice were o bserved. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.