Leishmania infantum FML pulsed-dendritic cells induce a protective immune response in murine visceral leishmaniasis

Aim: To investigate the efficacy of FML loaded dendritic cells (DCs) in protection against visceral leishmaniasis. Materials & methods: Mice were immunized with FML- or soluble Leishmania antigen-loaded DCs as well as FML or soluble Leishmania antigen in saponin and challenged with parasite. The levels of cytokines before and after challenge were detected by ELISA. Parasite burden (total Leishman–Donovan unit) was determined after parasite challenge. Results: FML-saponin induced the highest IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio among vaccinated groups, though this ratio was higher in FML-loaded DCs group subsequent to challenge with Leishmania infantum. Moreover, the greatest reduction in parasite number was detected in mice vaccinated with FML-loaded DCs compared with phosphate-buffered saline-treated mice (p = 0.002). Conclusion: FML-loaded DCs are one of the promising tools for protection against murine visceral leishmaniasis.