Veterinary Research Forum
Vet Res Forum

Immunological characterization of recombinant outer membrane Loa22 protein of local pathogenic Leptospira serovars

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Mehdi Gharakhani 1
Mohammad Faezi Ghasemi 1
Pejvak Khaki 2
Majid Esmaelizad 3
Majid Tebianian 4

1 Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Lahijan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Lahijan, Iran

2 Department of Microbiology, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran

3 Department of Research and Development, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran

4 Department of Immunology, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran

https://doi.org/10.30466/vrf.2024.2017700.4099
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira spp., often occurring in tropical and subtropical regions. Focusing on development of rapid diagnostic methods to facilitate early diagnosis and a universal vaccine are the main critical issues to overcome the burden of leptospirosis. Here, we have studied the immunogenic potential of prepared recombinant Loa22 protein (rLoa22) of local pathogenic Leptospira species in mice and its ability to induce humoral and cellular immunity, being further evaluated by analyzing the immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclasses and cytokines produced through immunization. Based on the results, mice immunized with rLoa22/adjuvant and a trivalent vaccine, induced high titers of total IgG. All immunized groups increased IgG1 almost on the same level; but, IgG2a level was significantly higher in the vaccine and rLoa22/adjuvant groups than rLoa22 alone group. Animals immunized with the vaccine produced more interleukin 4 than rLoa22/ adjuvant group. The results of evaluating interferon gamma level showed that the rLoa22/adjuvant and vaccine groups had a significant increase compared to the rLoa22 alone group. The results also demonstrated that the rLoa22 protein, in indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, was able to detect the anti-Leptospira antibodies in mice serum that can be used as a marker in assessing the seroprevalence of leptospirosis and/or in combination with other leptospiral antigens in development of an effective vaccine against leptospirosis.

Keywords

Immune responses
Leptospira
Leptospirosis
Recombinant Loa22 protein

Subjects

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Veterinary Research Forum
Volume 15, Issue 10
October 2024
Pages 565-573

  • Receive Date 12 December 2023
  • Revise Date 27 March 2024
  • Accept Date 05 June 2024

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