Characterization of the mucosal and systemic immune response induced by Cry1Ac protein from Bacillus thuringiensis HD 73 in mice

• Published in: Brazilian journal of medical and biological research Vol. 33; no. 2; pp. 147 - 155
• Main Authors: Vázquez-Padrón, R I, Moreno-Fierros, L, Neri-Bazán, L, Martínez-Gil, A F, de-la-Riva, G A, López-Revilla, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Associação Brasileira de Divulgação Científica 01.02.2000
• Subjects: Animals; Antibodies, Bacterial - biosynthesis; Antibodies, Bacterial - blood; Bacillus thuringiensis; Bacillus thuringiensis - immunology; Bacterial Proteins - immunology; Bacterial Toxins - immunology; BIOLOGY; Cry proteins; Cry1Ac protein; Endotoxins - immunology; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Hemolysin Proteins; Immunoglobulin G - biosynthesis; Immunoglobulin G - blood; Immunoglobulin M - biosynthesis; Immunoglobulin M - blood; Intestinal Mucosa - immunology; MEDICINE, RESEARCH & EXPERIMENTAL; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; mucosal immunology; mucosal immunology; Cry proteins; Bacillus thuringiensis
• ISSN: 0100-879X; 1414-431X; 0100-879X; 1414-431X
• DOI: 10.1590/S0100-879X2000000200002

The present paper describes important features of the immune response induced by the Cry1Ac protein from Bacillus thuringiensis in mice. The kinetics of induction of serum and mucosal antibodies showed an immediate production of anti-Cry1Ac IgM and IgG antibodies in serum after the first immunization with the protoxin by either the intraperitoneal or intragastric route. The antibody fraction in serum and intestinal fluids consisted mainly of IgG1. In addition, plasma cells producing anti-Cry1Ac IgG antibodies in Peyer's patches were observed using the solid-phase enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT). Cry1Ac toxin administration induced a strong immune response in serum but in the small intestinal fluids only anti-Cry1Ac IgA antibodies were detected. The data obtained in the present study confirm that the Cry1Ac protoxin is a potent immunogen able to induce a specific immune response in the mucosal tissue, which has not been observed in response to most other proteins.