Variation in the cellular localization of host-protective oncospheral antigens in Taenia saginata and Taenia solium

Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence with confocal microscopy were used to localize the host-protective antigens of Taenia saginata (TSA9 and TSA18) and Taenia solium (TSOL16, TSOL18 and TSOL45). In nonactivated oncospheres, TSA9 and TSOL45 antigens were found primarily in the cytoplasm of the penetration gland type one (PG1) cell. A similar pattern of staining was seen for TSOL45 in oncospheres of T. solium that remained within the oncospheral membrane. In addition, there was less intense staining of TSA9 and TSOL45 in the quadri-nucleate penetration gland type 2 (PG2) cell. TSA18, TSOL16 and TSOL18 were predominantly found in the PG2 cell. In activated oncospheres that had escaped the oncospheral membrane, the antigens (other than TSA9) were seen both in the penetration gland cell locations and throughout the oncospheral parenchyma. Co-localization analyses revealed that only TSOL16 and TSOL18 antigens were co-localized in the PG2 cell of oncospheres that had not escaped the oncospheral membrane. However, in activated oncospheres that escaped the oncospheral membrane, all three antigens of T. solium were co-localized as they were present throughout the parenchyma. No positive staining was observed on the surface of nonactivated or recently activated oncospheres of T. saginata or T. solium.

Correlation of T cell response and bacterial clearance in human volunteers challenged with Helicobacter pylori revealed by randomised controlled vaccination with Ty21a-based Salmonella vaccines

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori remains a global health hazard, and vaccination would be ideal for its control. Natural infection appears not to induce protective immunity. Thus, the feasibility of a vaccine for humans is doubtful.

METHODS

In two prospective, randomised, double-blind, controlled studies (Paul Ehrlich Institute application nos 0802/02 and 1097/01), live vaccines against H pylori were tested in human volunteers seronegative for, and without evidence of, active H pylori infection. Volunteers (n = 58) were immunised orally with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi Ty21a expressing H pylori urease or HP0231, or solely with Ty21a, and then challenged with 2x10(5) cagPAI(-) H pylori. Adverse events, infection, humoral, cellular and mucosal immune response were monitored. Gastric biopsies were taken before and after vaccination, and postchallenge. Infection was terminated with antibiotics.

RESULTS

Vaccines were well tolerated. Challenge infection induced transient, mild to moderate dyspeptic symptoms, and histological and transcriptional changes in the mucosa known from chronic infection. Vaccines did not show satisfactory protection. However, 13 of 58 volunteers, 8 vaccinees and 5 controls, became breath test negative and either cleared H pylori (5/13) completely or reduced the H pylori burden (8/13). H pylori-specific T helper cells were detected in 9 of these 13 (69%), but only in 6 of 45 (13%) breath test-positive volunteers (p = 0.0002; Fisher exact test). T cells were either vaccine induced or pre-existing, depending on the volunteer.

CONCLUSION

Challenge infection offers a controlled model for vaccine testing. Importantly, it revealed evidence for T cell-mediated immunity against H pylori infection in humans.

Biodegradable implants for the delivery of veterinary vaccines: design, manufacture and antibody responses in sheep

Biodegradable implants made from cholesterol and lecithin (C:L) were used to deliver a recombinant antigen (recombinant Dichelobacter nodosus pili) and adjuvant (Quil A) to sheep. Implants (5.5- x 1.8-mm) were placed subcutaneously and compared to a conventional vaccination regime (2 injections, 4 weeks apart) for antibody responses and tissue compatibility. Release profiles of antigen and adjuvant were also studied in vitro and in vivo. The presence of Quil A in vaccine implants had a marked effect on the rate at which antigen was released with 29 and 44% being released in the first 24 h from implants containing pili alone and pili with Quil A, respectively. Sheep produced significant levels of antibody when immunized with implants, however the response was short-lived and of significantly lower intensity than the response stimulated by two injections of antigen with Quil A (P < 0.01). A second implant system was developed where implants coated with C:L to delay antigen release, were used in combination with uncoated implants to deliver a priming dose and boosting dose of antigen. Antibody titres stimulated by the 4 double implant system were equivalent to those stimulated by a conventional regime of two injections (four weeks apart) for the first six weeks of the experiment. After this time, antibody levels in the groups which received implants dropped significantly. In vitro studies revealed that some of the implant coatings had caused a delay in the release of antigen (the rate of release peaked at 72 h), however this was not long enough to provide a significant boosting effect. In all cases, implants were well tolerated by sheep and caused less local reaction than injected vaccines.

Effect of adjuvants on antibody responses of sheep immunised with recombinant pili from Dichelobacter nodosus

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects of two oil emulsion adjuvants (incomplete Freunds adjuvant and a proprietary oil adjuvant), DEAE-dextran, L-tyrosine particles and Quil A on the humoral immune responses of sheep immunised with recombinant pili of Dichelobacter Nodosus (strain A).

PROCEDURE

Antibody titres were studied for up to 32 weeks and were measured by bacterial agglutination and ELISA. The relative avidity of antibodies for pili was determined and the incidence and severity of adverse reactions at the site of injection of vaccines were recorded.

RESULTS

The oil emulsion adjuvants and Quil A were more effective than either DEAE-dextran or L-tyrosine at stimulating antibodies in sheep. The incidence and severity of adverse reactions was lower in sheep which received vaccines containing either Quil A or DEAE-dextran than in sheep which received vaccines containing oil emulsion adjuvants. L-tyrosine had no adverse effects.

CONCLUSION

Quil A was as effective as oil adjuvants at stimulating high levels of antibodies against recombinant pili in sheep and had the significant advantage of being less irritant after subcutaneous injection.