Systemic and mucosal immunization withCandida albicanshsp90 elicits hsp90-specific humoral response in vaginal mucosa which is further enhanced during experimental vaginal candidiasis

Abstract

The Candida albicans heat shock protein 90 kDa (hsp90-CA) is an important target for protective antibodies in disseminated candidiasis of experimental mice and humans. Hsp90-CA is present in the cell wall of Candida pseudohyphae or hyphae--typical pathogenic morphotypes in both mucosal and systemic Candida infections. However, the potential protective effects of hsp90-CA-specific antibodies in vaginal candidiasis has not yet been reported. In the present study we used various vaccine formulations (recombinant hsp90-CA protein and hsp90-CA-encoding DNA vaccine) and routes of administration (intradermal, intranasal, and intravenous) to induce both hsp90-CA-specific systemic and vaginal mucosa immune responses in experimental BALB/c mice. The results showed that intradermal recombinant hsp90-CA protein priming, followed by intranasal or intradermal recombinant hsp90-CA protein boosting induced significant increases in both serum and vaginal hsp90-CA-specific IgG and IgA antibodies compared to the control group, as well as enhanced hsp90-CA-specific splenocyte responses in vitro. In the intradermally boosted group, subsequent experimental vaginal Candida infection induced additional increases in the hsp90-CA specific IgG isotype, suggesting that Candida has the ability to induce a local hsp90-specific antibody (IgG) response during vulvovaginal candidiasis. Further work is required to elucidate the importance of immunity to highly conserved antigens during infection of the human female reproductive tract where a balance between immunity to and tolerance for commonly antigens such as hsp90 is necessary for the maintenance of fertility.

Management of Recurrent Vulvo-Vaginal Candidosis as a Chronic Illness

“…Vaccination in mice has been shown efficient to produce antibodies against the highly preserved heat-shock protein 90 as well as against beta-glucan, both present in Candida organisms and indicating increased protection against invasive disease and recurrences of local disease [106,107] . Another approach that has been tried is the development of antibodies to limit the effect of the Thelper (TH)-2 response and increase the TH-1 response, which is beneficial to the course of the disease [108,109] .…”

Endotoxin-minimized HIV-1 p24 fused to murine hsp70 activates dendritic cells, facilitates endocytosis and p24-specific Th1 response in mice

“…S2). As a positive control, the activity of a recombinant hsp90 from Candida albicans [32] was measured (k cat = 10.51 min −1 ) and found in agreement with previously published k cat range of 10-150 min −1 for eukaryotic hsp90 [33].…”

Immunité innée et adaptative du tractus génital féminin

“…Chez l'animal [83], des essais de vaccins contre les pathologies virales : VIH, papillomavirus, herpès contre les candidoses [84,85] et les principales infections microbiennes sexuellement transmises ont donné des résultats intéressants. Chez la femme, deux études récentes de vaccination contre les infections urinaires récidivantes en utilisant des comprimés gynécologiques viennent d'être publiées [86,87]. Le béné-fice en termes de diminution des épisodes infectieux serait significatif mais sans augmentation du taux d'anticorps aussi bien IgG que IgA.…”