TABLE 2.
Changes in cytokine profiles
| Cytokine | Relative intensity of cytokine profile (%)a
|
||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| pcDNA3/fliCb
|
pcDNA3/CpG-fliCb
|
pcDNA3b
|
Nonc | ||||||||
| 1 dd | 4 d | 7 d | 14 d | 1 d | 4 d | 7 d | 14 d | 1 d | 4 d | ||
| IFN-γ | 32 ± 2.5 | 31 ± 2.5e | 36 ± 2.0f | 31 ± 3.5f | 30 ± 0.6 | 35 ± 1.5e | 49 ± 1.5 | 40 ± 2.5 | 25 ± 4.5 | 52 ± 3.0 | 3 ± 2.5 |
| TNF-α | 19 ± 3.0 | 34 ± 1.5e | 32 ± 2.0 | 12 ± 2.5 | 20 ± 1.5 | 34 ± 2.1e | 25 ± 2.5 | 8 ± 2.6 | 14 ± 3.1 | 46 ± 4.0 | 3 ± 2.5 |
| IL-4 | 23 ± 2.0 | 21 ± 1.5 | 12 ± 2.0 | 14 ± 1.0 | 22 ± 1.5 | 22 ± 2.6e | 11 ± 3.2 | 11 ± 1.0 | 21 ± 2.5 | 25 ± 2.0 | 2 ± 1.5 |
| IL-10 | 13 ± 2.1 | 13 ± 3.5e | 22 ± 4.1 | 34 ± 3.1 | 13 ± 3.0 | 11 ± 3.2e | 17 ± 3.5 | 43 ± 3.1 | 21 ± 2.5 | 26 ± 3.1 | 2.3 ± 2.5 |
| IL-12(p35) | 25 ± 4.0 | 33 ± 2.5e | 25 ± 1.5 | 4 ± 3.6 | 27 ± 2.5 | 32 ± 1.5e | 27 ± 1.5 | 2.3 ± 2.0 | 23 ± 2.1 | 42 ± 2.5 | 4 ± 2.0 |
| IL-12(p40) | 12 ± 2.5 | 27 ± 2.5e | 19 ± 1.0 | 1.6 ± 2.0 | 15 ± 2.0 | 28 ± 2.6e | 19 ± 1.2 | 1 ± 1.0 | 10 ± 1.5 | 41 ± 3.2 | 2.3 ± 2.1 |
a
Relative intensity of RT-PCR products was quantified using NIH Image software, with β-actin mRNA as a reference control.
b
Level of cytokine-specific mRNA expression in the mice immunized with pcDNA3/fliC, pcDNA3/CpG-fliC, and pcDNA3.
c
Nonimmunized mice used as negative control (without infection).
d
The indicated day represents the time of exposure to B. pseudomallei by intravenous injection.
e
Significant difference (P < 0.05) compared with the mouse group immunized with pcDNA3.
f
Significant difference (P < 0.05) compared with the mouse group immunized with pcDNA3/CpG-fliC on day 7 or day 14, respectively.