The chimeric protein that relies on the T-cell epitopes of antigen 85B (Ag85B) and the 6-kDa early secreted antigen target (ESAT-6) has been demonstrated to augment the Th1 immune response. In this study, we developed a recombinant... more
The chimeric protein that relies on the T-cell epitopes of antigen 85B (Ag85B) and the 6-kDa early secreted antigen target (ESAT-6) has been demonstrated to augment the Th1 immune response. In this study, we developed a recombinant Mycobacterium bovis BCG (rBCG) strain that secretes the chimeric protein of Ag85B and ESAT-6 (rBCG-AN-E-AC). Immunization with this rBCG strain induced stronger antigen-specific gamma interferon (IFN-γ) activities, as determined by an enzyme-linked immunospot assay, and higher levels of antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses than those in the control groups immunized with either rBCG expressing the Ag85B-ESAT-6 fusion protein (rBCG-A-E) or BCG. Likewise, rBCG-AN-E-AC significantly increased the level of production of the major Th1 cytokines IFN-γ and tumor necrosis factor alpha in splenocyte cultures to levels comparable to those elicited by control BCG. Moreover, the antigen-specific immunoglobulin 2c (IgG2c)/IgG1 ratio for mice immunized with r...
The chimeric protein that relies on the T-cell epitopes of antigen 85B (Ag85B) and the 6-kDa early secreted antigen target (ESAT-6) has been demonstrated to augment the Th1 immune response. In this study, we developed a recombinant... more
The chimeric protein that relies on the T-cell epitopes of antigen 85B (Ag85B) and the 6-kDa early secreted antigen target (ESAT-6) has been demonstrated to augment the Th1 immune response. In this study, we developed a recombinant Mycobacterium bovis BCG (rBCG) strain that secretes the chimeric protein of Ag85B and ESAT-6 (rBCG-AN-E-AC). Immunization with this rBCG strain induced stronger antigen-specific gamma interferon (IFN-γ) activities, as determined by an enzyme-linked immunospot assay, and higher levels of antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses than those in the control groups immunized with either rBCG expressing the Ag85B-ESAT-6 fusion protein (rBCG-A-E) or BCG. Likewise, rBCG-AN-E-AC significantly increased the level of production of the major Th1 cytokines IFN-γ and tumor necrosis factor alpha in splenocyte cultures to levels comparable to those elicited by control BCG. Moreover, the antigen-specific immunoglobulin 2c (IgG2c)/IgG1 ratio for mice immunized with r...
Over 8000 cases of tuberculosis (TB) are diagnosed annually in Poland. People infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) have a risk of active disease around 10% during whole life, the risk is biggest in the first two years after... more
Over 8000 cases of tuberculosis (TB) are diagnosed annually in Poland. People infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) have a risk of active disease around 10% during whole life, the risk is biggest in the first two years after infection. Recognizing infection before TB disease occurred enables prophylaxis against its activation and ceases transmission of infection. Knowledge about proportion of infected people in the population is crucial to predict the number of new cases of active disease. Prevalence of latent TB infection (LTBI) was tested in 700 healthy adult inhabitants of Mazovia Region in different age groups, using both tuberculin skin test (TST) and interferon gamma release assay (IGRA). Commercial test QuantiFERON(®)-TB-Gold In Tube (QFT) was used. All participants were mandatory BCG vaccinated according to Polish vaccination schedule. Twenty three per cent of participants tested positively for QFT, which was significantly less than positive results of TST (50.3%). ...