BCG-pAg85A combination induces strong mycobacteria-specific proliferative and IFN-γ responses.

<p>Evolution of Ag85A (Fig 1A) and PPD (Fig 1B) specific proliferation throughout the vaccination experiment in group 1 animals vaccinated with only BCG (black symbols), group 2 animals vaccinated with BCG-control vector (blue symbols) and group 3 animals vaccinated with BCG-pAg85A (green symbols). Each point represents mean cpm values of quintuplicate cultures of individual animals. Cells were stimulated <i>in vitro</i> with bovine PPD (<i>M</i>. <i>bovis</i> strain AN5, ex-Pasteur Institute of Brussels, 5 μg/mL final) or recombinant <i>E</i>. <i>coli</i> derived Ag85A (5 μg/mL final). Evolution of Ag85A (Fig 1C) and PPD (Fig 1D) specific IFN-γ production throughout the vaccination experiment. Bars represent mean IFN- γ levels ± SEM of six animals (pg/mL).