Immunogenicity of Leishmania donovani iron superoxide dismutase B1 and peroxidoxin 4 in BALB/c mice: The contribution of Toll-like receptor agonists as adjuvant

In this study, we assessed the immune response of two Leishmania donovani recombinant proteins: iron superoxide dismutase B1 (SODB1) and peroxidoxin 4 (Pxn4) in BALB/c mice. Assessment of the immunogenicity of these proteins alone or combined with Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR-9) agonist (CpG ODN) or TLR-4 agonist (GLA-SE) showed that they elicit specific antibody as well as cytokine production in response to the respective antigen in vitro. The use of adjuvants augmented immunogenicity of these antigens and more importantly, skewed the immune response to a Th1-type. These results indicate that recombinant SODB1 and Pxn4 proteins are potential vaccine candidates when administered with appropriate adjuvants.

Highlights► We tested the immunogenicity of two Leishmania antigens: rSODB1 and rPxn4. ► We studied their immune responses in BALB/c mice. ► These antigens in the presence of CpG ODN or GLA-SE induced a Th1 biased response.