CRX-527 modulates IL-10 expression in BCG-MSP1C-immunized mice

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the expression of IL-10 in mice immunized with a recombinant BCG expressing the MSP1C antigen (BCG- MSP1C), in the presence and absence of a TLR4 agonist CRX-527.

Methods: The BCG-MSP1C vaccine candidate was cultured and characterized using acid-fast staining and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The mice were immunized with BCG-MSP1C in the presence or absence of CRX-527 intraperitoneally. The expression and production of IL-10 were measured via real-time PCR and ELISA in peritoneal macrophages, spleen, liver, and lymph nodes of immunized mice.

Results: IL-10 expression and production were significantly increased in peritoneal macrophages and lymph nodes in the presence of CRX-527. In contrast, spleen and liver samples showed a significant decrease in IL-10 levels with CRX-527.

Conclusions: BCG-MSP1C shows promise as a malaria vaccine candidate by inducing IL-10 expression in multiple immune compartments and displaying stable morphology. Tissue-specific modulation of IL-10 by CRX-527 results in increased expression in the lymph nodes and peritoneal macrophages, and decreased levels in the liver and spleen.

Keywords

BCG-MSP1C / IL-10 / CRX-527 / Malaria / Candidate vaccine

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Funding

This work was supported by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia for Fundamental Research Grant Scheme with Project Code: FRGS/1/2021/SKK06/USM/002/4.

Data availability statement

The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.

Authors’ contributions

NMZ performed the experimental study and wrote the original draft. Both NMZ and NH contributed to the final version of the manuscript. RS designed and conceptualized and supervised the experimental study, interpreted the experimental data, reviewed original draft, and acquired funding.

Publisher’s note

The Publisher of the Journal remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

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