Abstract
Aim. To study effect of recombinant heat-shock protein (rHSP70) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis on immunogenicity of Haemophilus influenzae type b capsular polysaccharide (CPSHib). Materials and methods. Capsular polysaccharide was obtained by precipitation with cetavlon, antibody titers and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) were detected by enzyme immunoassay and flow cytometry respectively. Results. rHSP70 modified immune response to chemically conjugated and unconjugated CPSHib. rHSP70 enhanced expression of TLRs 2, 4, 9 on mice splenocytes; encreased levels of CD3 +, CD8 +, NK, CD3/NK (NKT) lymphocytes. Levels of CD4 +, CD25 + (markers of early activation of T-helpers) as well as MHC class II molecules were increased that could be appraised as a shift from T-independent to T-dependent immune response. Difference in antibody titers after 2or 3-dose immunization of mice with 5 mcg/dose of CPSHib in mixture or conjugated with rHSP70 was not revealed. Level of antibodies to rHSP70 in serum samples of mice immunized with CPSHib conjugated with rHSP70 was 6.55 — 8.4 times higher compared to unimmunized animals. Antibodies, which have common antigenic epitopes to human organs and tissues, were not detected. Conclusion. rHSP70 modifies immune response to CPSHib.