Immunogenicity and protective effect of recombinant enolase of Candida albicans in a murine model of systemic candidiasis

• Published in: Medical mycology (Oxford) Vol. 42; no. 4; pp. 319 - 324
• Main Authors: Montagnoli, Claudia, Sandini, Silvia, Bacci, Angela, Romani, Luigina, Valle, Roberto La
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: UK Informa UK Ltd 01-08-2004
• Subjects: Animals; Antigens, Fungal - administration & dosage; Antigens, Fungal - immunology; Candida albicans; Candida albicans - enzymology; Candida albicans - genetics; Candidiasis - immunology; Candidiasis - microbiology; Candidiasis - mortality; Candidiasis - prevention & control; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - metabolism; Cytokines - metabolism; Disease Models, Animal; Fungal Vaccines - administration & dosage; Fungal Vaccines - immunology; Interleukin-12 - administration & dosage; Interleukin-12 - immunology; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase - administration & dosage; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase - genetics; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase - immunology; Recombinant Proteins - administration & dosage; Recombinant Proteins - immunology; Spleen - cytology; Spleen - immunology; Th1 Cells - immunology; enolase; protection
• ISSN: 1369-3786; 1460-2709
• DOI: 10.1080/13693780310001644653

Enolase, a 46-kDa glycolytic enzyme, is an immunodominant antigen of the opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans. A recombinant 6×His-tagged enolase was studied, in conjunction with interleukin-12 (IL-12), as an adjuvant for cytokine induction favouring protection in a murine model of haematogenous candidiasis. Mice immunized with enolase plus IL-12 showed increased antibody titres against enolase, as well as increased median survival time and decreased fungal burden in kidneys, in comparison to non-immunized or IL-12-treated mice. This increased survival was attributable to enolase-induced cell-mediated immunity as it also occurred in B-cell-deficient mice. Enolase immunization stimulated a predominant T-helper-1 (Th1) cytokine pattern in splenic cells and induced production of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) by purified CD4+ T cells. However, despite the elevation of immunogenicity, recombinant enolase induced only a modest protection against disseminated candidiasis, suggesting a form of protection likely attributable to the induction of a Th1 cell-mediated immune response.