Boosting Immune Responses Against Bacterial Pathogens: In Vitro Analysis of Immunomodulators (In Vitro Analyse van de Stimulerende Werking van Verschillende Stoffen op het Immuunsysteem)
Abstract
The threat of the use of biological weapons, including bacteria, has increased. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics increasingly becomes a problem. Vaccination of military personnel against biothreat agents may be an option, however there is a broad range of biothreat agents, which may become even broader as a result of genetic engineering. Moreover, vaccination against multiple agents may cause undesired effects. A more generic approach to prevent the effects of a broad spectrum of bacteria via immunomodulation seems more effective. Three potential broad-spectrum therapeutics (MPL, MDP and ssPolyU) and their combinations were tested in an in vitro dendritic cell culture system, since dendritic cells play a central role in the development of immune responses. All combinations of modulators (but not all single modulators) enhanced DC activation, combinations with MDP acted synergistically. MDP and ssPolyU in addition enhanced the T cell polarizing capacity of DC into a response that is suitable for the combat of intracellular infections. The effects of the modulators varied when combined with different pathogens were used. The effects of MDP and ssPolyU will be studied further in an in vivo mouse infection model.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA474291
Entities
People
- D. Van Der Kleij