Resumo

LEON, Annette et al. Development of Biomodels for the evaluation of the secretory immunity against M tuberculosis in Balb/c mice. Vaccimonitor [online]. 2000, vol.9, n.3, pp. 24-30. ISSN 1025-0298.

The role of specific antibodies found in the respiratory tract secretion, in the defense against intracellular pathogens like mycobacterium causing tuberculosis in man (M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. africanum), has not been studied deeply enough. With the purpose of developing suitable experimental models aimed at the assessment of the secretory immunity role in the defense against tuberculosis, two experimental models were developed using IgA monoclonal antibodies directed against the M. tuberculosis and M. bovis. 16 kDa protein. In the first model Balb/c mice were subcutaneously inoculated in the neck with different amounts of TBA61 hibridome cells, which produce the specific IgA. In a second model, this hibridome’s ascitic fluid, obtained from mice, was intraperitoneally inoculated. In both cases, we determined, in different moments, the monoclonal concentration in saliva and only in the second one; we determined the concentration in serum. In the two models we demonstrated the monoclonal’s pass to the saliva, reaching its maximum concentration at 21 days in the animals inoculated with the hibridome and at two hours in saliva and serum in the animals inoculated with ascitic fluid. Due to its simplicity and innocuousness, we recommend the use of the second model for challenging experiments through the mucosal way.

Palavras-chave : Tuberculosis; mucosal immunity; Antibodies; hibridome; IgA.