Construction of Eukaryotic Expression Vectors Encoding CFP-۱۰ and ESAT-۶ Genes and Their Potential in Lymphocyte Proliferation

Background: Mycobacterium (M.) bovis is the agent of bovine tuberculosis (TB) in a range of animal species, including humans. Recent advances in immunology and the molecular biology of Mycobacterium have allowed identification of a large number of antigens with the potential for the development of a new TB vaccine. The ESAT-۶ and CFP-۱۰ proteins of M. bovis are important structural and functional proteins known to be important immunogens. Methods: In the current study, the DNAs encoding these genes were utilized in the construction of pcDNA ۳.۱+/ESAT-۶ and pcDNA۳.۱+/CFP-۱۰ plasmids. After intramuscular injection of BALB/c mice with these plasmids, ESAT-۶ and CFP-۱۰ mRNA expression was assessed by RT-PCR. Mice were inoculated and boosted with the plasmids to evaluate their effects on lymphocyte proliferation. Results: Our results indicate the plasmids are expressed at the RNA level and can induce lymphocyte proliferation. Conclusion: Further study is needed to characterize the effect of these antigens on the immune system and determine whether they are effective vaccine candidates against M. bovis.

کلیدواژه ها:

BALB/c mice ، CFP-۱۰ ، DNA vaccine ، ESAT-۶ ، Mycobacterium bovis ، PPD ، Proliferation assay