[Effects of recombinant Balillus Calmette-Guerin secreting IL-12 vaccination on development of T cell subsets in neonatal BALB/c mice]

Abstract

Aim: To explore the effects of recombinant Balillus Calmette-Guerin secreting IL-12 on the development of spleen T cell subsets of neonatal BALB/c mice.

Methods: Twenty-four neonatal BALB/c mice were divided 3 groups: Control, BCG, r-BCG groups, which inoculated with BCG and r-BCG intraperiotoneally within 2-3 days after birth. Four weeks later, spleen cells of mice were isolated and the percentage of CD3(+) CD8(+) INF-gamma(+)/CD3(+) CD8(-) IFN-gamma(+)/CD3(+) CD8(+) IL-4(+)/CD3(+) CD8(-) IL-4(+)/ CD4(+) Foxp3(+) T cells, which represent Tc1/Th1/Tc2/Th2/Treg cells respectively were detected by flow cytometry at single cells level, and Th1/Th2, Tc1/Tc2 ratio were calculated.

Results: The percentages of Th1, Tc1 cell of BCG-vaccinated mice, r-BCG -vaccinated mice were significant higher than control mice (P < 0.01), and there was no difference between the two vaccinated groups. The ratio of Th1/Th2, Tc1/Tc2 and total IFN-gamma/IL-4 of two vaccinated groups were higher than control group. The percentages of Treg cells were no difference among the three groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: Neonatal BCG and r-BCG vaccination can significantly increase Tc1 and Th1 cells and Th1/Th2, Tc1/Tc2 ratio in spleen cells. Neonatal BCG and r-BCG vaccination may have an same effects on development of T cell subsets in neonatal BALB/c mice. The percentage of CD4(+) Foxp3(+) T cells among three groups were no significant difference.