Abstract
CD4+ T cells have been shown to be essential for vaccine-induced protection against Helicobacter pylori infection. However, the effector mechanisms leading to reductions in the gastric bacterial loads of vaccinated mice remain unclear. We have investigated the function of IFN-γ and IL-17A for vaccine-induced protection and inflammation (gastritis) using IFN-γ-gene-knockout (IFN-γ-/-) mice, after sublingual or intragastric immunization with H. pylori lysate antigens and cholera toxin. Bacteria were enumerated in the stomachs of mice and related to the gastritis score and cellular immune responses. We report that sublingually and intragastrically immunized IFN-γ-/- mice had significantly reduced bacterial loads similar to immunized wild-type mice compared to respective unimmunized infection controls. The reduction in bacterial loads in sublingually and intragastrically immunized IFN-γ-/- mice was associated with significantly higher levels of IL-17A in stomach extracts and lower gastritis scores compared with immunized wild-type mice. To study the role of IL-17A for vaccine-induced protection in sublingually immunized IFN-γ-/- mice, IL-17A was neutralized in vivo at the time of infection. Remarkably, the neutralization of IL-17A in sublingually immunized IFN-γ-/- mice completely abolished protection against H. pylori infection and the mild gastritis. In summary, our results suggest that IFN-γ responses in the stomach of sublingually immunized mice promote vaccine-induced gastritis, after infection with H. pylori but that IL-17A primarily functions to reduce the bacterial load.
Highlights
Helicobacter pylori infection in the stomach is characterised by gastritis with both active and chronic (T and B cells) components [1]
Protection against H. pylori infection has been shown to be associated with post-immunization gastritis, and an increase in both IFN-γ and IL-17A in the stomachs of immunized mice [17]
We report that the protection against H. pylori infection after SL with H. pylori lysate antigens and cholera toxin can be induced in the absence of IFN-γ to somewhat lower levels compared to immunized WT mice
Summary
Helicobacter pylori infection in the stomach is characterised by gastritis with both active (neutrophils) and chronic (T and B cells) components [1]. A robust H. pylori-specific immune response can be detected in the circulation and stomach of infected individuals, it is insufficient to eradicate the infection [2]. IL-17A Responses to H. pylori in IFN-γ-/- Mice.
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