RESUMEN
Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the most important human pathogens and improvement of the currently used polysaccharide vaccines is being pursued. We constructed DNA vaccine vectors containing either the full-length psaA (pneumococcal surface adhesin A) or a truncated pspA (pneumococcal surface protein A--pspA') gene. Both constructs showed transient expression of the antigens in vertebrate cells and induced significant antibody response to the pneumococcal antigens in BALB/c mice injected intramuscularly (i.m.). Fusion with an N-terminal cytoplasmatic SV40 T-antigen (CT-Ag), which was previously shown to stabilize poorly expressed antigens through association with Hsp73, also induced anti-PspA antibody response. The induction of antibodies with a low IgG1:IgG2a ratio and elevated gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) production by spleen cells elicited by DNA vaccination indicate preferential priming of Th1 immunity. Since induction of antibodies against both PsaA and PspA was previously shown to correlate with protection against fatal infection with S. pneumoniae and cell-mediated immune responses could contribute to protection, further evaluation of PsaA and PspA as antigens for a DNA vaccine against S. pneumoniae could be promising.
Asunto(s)
Proteínas Bacterianas/inmunología , Proteínas Portadoras/inmunología , Proteínas de Choque Térmico/inmunología , Lipoproteínas/inmunología , Proteínas de Transporte de Membrana , Vacunas Neumococicas/farmacología , Streptococcus pneumoniae/inmunología , Adhesinas Bacterianas , Animales , Anticuerpos Antibacterianos/biosíntesis , Proteínas Bacterianas/genética , Secuencia de Bases , Proteínas Portadoras/genética , ADN Bacteriano/genética , Proteínas de Choque Térmico/genética , Humanos , Inmunidad Celular , Interferón gamma/biosíntesis , Interleucina-4/biosíntesis , Lipoproteínas/genética , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos BALB C , Vacunas Neumococicas/genética , Vacunas Neumococicas/inmunología , Streptococcus pneumoniae/genética , Células TH1/inmunología , Vacunas de ADN/genética , Vacunas de ADN/inmunología , Vacunas de ADN/farmacologíaRESUMEN
Performance of 82 Colombian, 87 Mexican, and 96 Venezuelan university students and adult community dwellers on Spanish translations of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) were compared. Findings suggest more comprehensive research is required on applications of the MMPI-2 in Latin America and greater consideration of the roles of culture and nationality.