Aims
We investigated the protective effect of chitin micro‐particle (CMP) as an adjuvant against Leishmania infection in BALB/c mice.
Methods
Mice were immunized subcutaneously with soluble Leishmania antigen (SLA) plus CMP (100 µg SLA + 100 µg CMP/100 µL) as the test group. Three weeks after the last immunization, test and control groups were infected by Leishmania major (L major). Eight weeks post‐infection, evaluation of parasites load in lymph nodes was performed using limiting dilution assay. Then, the spleen cell cytokine response (TNF‐α, IFN‐γ, IL‐4, IL‐10, IL‐17 and IL‐27) to SLA among vaccinated and nonvaccinated groups was investigated using ELISA. Serum levels of IgG1 and IgG2a were measured as well.
Results
The SLA plus CMP group demonstrated the protection. The responses included reduced lesion formation and lower parasite load. Also, in comparison with control group higher levels of IFN‐γ and, IL‐10 in the culture of spleen cells, and lower levels of IgG1 in sera were seen in SLA plus CMP group.
Conclusion
The data supported the possibility of using CMP as a suitable adjuvant in Leishmania vaccination.