Immunization with KMP11-NTGP96-GFP Fusion of Leishmania major Induced Th1 Platform Immune Response in Susceptible BALB/c mice

Leishmaniasis has been known as an endemic disease since ancient times in Iran. Cell-mediated immunity plays a decisive role in Leishmaniasis. A promising vaccine against Leishmania could stimulate the Th1 immune response. In the present study, the cellular immunogenicity of the pEGFP-N1, pEGFP-KMP and KMP11-NTGP96-GFP fusion in induction of Th1 platform immune response was evaluated in susceptible BALB/c mice. Recombinant plasmid construction of pEGFP-N1, pEGFP-KMP and KMP11-NTGP96-GFP fusion was prepared. The mice were assigned to four groups (each 15) and immunization was performed with three times (0, 21 and 42 days) with PBS, pEGFP-N1, pEGFP-KMP and pEGFP-KMP-GP96 (FUSION), subcutaneously via footpad. Cytokines assay was performed a day before and seven weeks following immunization. According to the results, the level of cytokines interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin (IL)-4, and ratio of IFN-γ /IL4 was changed among different groups of mice before and seven weeks after immunization. The cytokines were increased significantly in the groups that received pEGFP-KMP and pEGFP-KMP-GP96 (FUSION) compared to PBS and pEGFP-N1 groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, pEGFP-KMP-GP96 (FUSION) induced Th1 platform immune response against Leishmania major (MRHO/IR/75/ER) infection.