Language
English
Publication Date
3-19-2026
Journal
Vaccine
DOI
10.1016/j.vaccine.2026.128296
PMID
41637895
Abstract
Chagas disease is a poverty-related neglected tropical disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi affecting approximately 6.3 million people, predominantly in the Americas. Approximately 30% of T. cruzi infections progress to chronic cardiomyopathy and 10% of these cases end in death from cardiac failure. The first-line drug Benznidazole (BNZ) require a prolonged treatment regimen and can be highly toxic. Here, we evaluate a therapeutic vaccine in T. cruzi-infected mice, based on the recombinant Trypomastigote Surface Antigen 1 (TSA-1.C4) protein and the emulsified adjuvant E6020, and in combination with a suboptimal dose of BNZ. We observed a reduced burden parasite in blood in mice receiving either with TSA-1.C4 vaccine alone or in combination with a low dose of BNZ. TSA-1.C4-specific IgG and isotype levels were increased in all experimental groups receiving TSA-1.C4 protein treatment, confirming its immunogenicity. Mice treated with TSA-1.C4 vaccine in combination with BNZ exhibit a reduced cardiac inflammation as well as an antigen-specific IFN-γ CD4
Keywords
Animals, Nitroimidazoles, Chagas Disease, Trypanosoma cruzi, Cytokines, Mice, Antibodies, Protozoan, Female, Immunoglobulin G, Protozoan Vaccines, Antigens, Protozoan, Trypanocidal Agents, Immunotherapy, Mice, Inbred BALB C, Adjuvants, Immunologic, Protozoan Proteins, Benznidazole, Chagas disease, TSA-1.C4, Therapeutic vaccine, Trypanosoma cruzi
Published Open-Access
yes
Recommended Citation
Pech-Pisté, Landy Magaly; Dzul-Huchim, Victor; Teh-Poot, Christian Florian; et al., "Immunotherapy of TSA-1.C4 or in Combination With Bnz Confers Protection Against Trypanosoma cruzi Infection With a Distinct Cytokine Response" (2026). Faculty, Staff and Students Publications. 7770.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/baylor_docs/7770