Journal of Infectious Diseases & Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

Activation of cell mediated and humoral immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), are critical for protection. For decades, most studies regarding immunity to TB are focused mainly on proteins. In recent years, increasing evidences have shown that Mtb cell wall lipids act as potent adjuvants as well as antigens capable of activating specific T-cells through their presentation by CD1 molecules and also induce IgM, IgA and IgG antibody responses. However unlike proteins, delivery and presentation of lipid antigens is a major challenge. Herein, we have used chitosan nanoparticles (NPs) as Mtb lipid delivery system and showed that chitosan NP mediated delivery of Mtb lipids induce potent cytokine and antibody responses in immunized mice. Chitosan NP delivered Mtb lipids induced the release of most prominent cytokines associated with Th1 (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-2) and Th2-type (IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13) immune responses in mice lymphatic and spleen cells as compared to immunogenic Mtb purified protein derivative (PPD) and chitosan NPs alone. Moreover, mice immunized with Mtb lipid coated chitosan NPs showed significantly higher levels of IgG, IgG1 and IgM and a moderate increase in IgG2a antibodies as compared to Mtb lipid liposomes and chitosan NP immunized mice. In conclusion, this study represents a promising new strategy for efficient delivery of Mtb lipids to trigger enhanced cell mediated and antibody response against Mtb infection.

Biography

Email: ishanidas2011@gmail.com