Multiple experimental designs to evaluate the role of T-cell-mediated immunity against experimental vaginal Candida albicans infection

Studies to date suggest a limited protective role for Candida-specific Th1-type cell-mediated immunity (CMI) against Candida albicans vaginitis, despite protection against other mucosal Candida infections. Recent evidence suggests this may be due to immunoregulatory mechanisms that inhibit a more profound CMI response against C albicans vaginal infections. The present study was designed to conduct an evaluation of the protective role of CMI against experimental C albicans vaginitis using multiple approaches, including the use of T-cell-immunodeficient (SCID, Nude) and knockout (CD4) mice and several immunization designs in immunocompetent mice. Results showed, with few exceptions, that most T-cell-immunodeficient or knockout mice had a vaginal fungal burden similar to that of wild-type strains throughout the observation period. In addition, no correlation was observed between vaginal T-helper and proinflammatory cytokines and fungal burden, suggesting a generalized state of immunoregulation. Evaluation of the effects of various immunization designs that included different Candida antigens, routes of delivery and strains of mice yielded no protection against vaginal candidiasis. These studies provide further evidence of a lack of a protective role of T cells against C albicans vaginitis, and continue to support the concept of immunoregulation against vaginal CMI responses.