颗粒溶素和白细胞介素12重组耻垢分枝杆菌对小鼠结核病的治疗作用

目的 探讨携带编码人天然颗粒溶素和小鼠白细胞介素12（IL-12）基因质粒（pZM03）的重组耻垢分枝杆菌对结核分枝杆菌感染的疗效与机制。方法 结核分枝杆菌H37Rv感染Balb／c小鼠4周后，分别用生理盐水、耻垢分枝杆菌、pZM03、重组耻垢分枝杆菌治疗6次，于第1次治疗后3个月处死小鼠，检测器官荷菌量、脾淋巴细胞γ干扰素的分泌水平、血清IL-12和IgG2a分泌水平和肺、脾组织中颗粒溶素表达，同时观察小鼠肺、脾组织病理改变情况。结果 重组耻垢分枝治疗组的肺和脾组织对数荷菌量分别为（4.57±0．28）和（3．47±0．25）CFU／g，比生理盐水组的（5．77±0．12）和（4．66±0．18）CFU／g、载体组的（5．62±0．14）和（4．65±0．26）CFU／g及质粒组的（5．04±0．22）和（4．25±0．48）显著降低；重组耻垢分枝杆菌组和pZM03组经结核菌素纯蛋白衍生物刺激后，1干扰素分泌水平显著高于耻垢分枝杆菌组和生理盐水对照组；重组耻垢分枝杆菌组血清IL-12水平和IgG2a水平显著高于耻垢分枝杆菌组和生理盐水对照组。用免疫组织化学方法检测到小鼠肺及脾组织中颗粒溶素的表达。生理盐水和耻垢分枝杆菌组的肺组织病理改变以渗出为主，病变广泛，增生改变不明显；重组耻垢分枝杆菌组的病变范围局限，并有类上皮细胞和泡沫细胞。治疗组和对照组的脾脏病理改变不明显。结论 携带颗粒溶素和IL-12的重组耻垢分枝杆菌对小鼠结核病有一定的免疫治疗作用，与增强宿主Th1型免疫应答和颗粒溶素的抗菌活性有关。     

Ag85B与MPT64 DNA疫苗联合免疫对鼠结核分枝杆菌感染的保护作用

目的　研究Ag85B与MPT6 4DNA疫苗联合免疫对鼠结核分枝杆菌感染的免疫保护效果。方法　C5 7BL/ 6小鼠 5 4只 ,采用随机数字表法随机分为 6组 ,分别用磷酸盐缓冲液 (PBS)、pcDNA3 1( )、卡介苗 (BCG)、pcDNA/Ag85B、pcDNA/MPT6 4、pcDNA/Ag85B pcDNA/MPT6 4经肌肉注射法免疫小鼠 ,0、3、6周各 1次 ,即PBS组、pcDNA3 1组、BCG组、pcDNA/Ag85B组、pcDNA/MPT6 4组及pcDNA/Ag85B pcDNA/MPT6 4组。BCG组只在 0周予皮内注射卡介苗 1次。末次免疫后第 5周用 1×10 6CFU的H3 7Rv经尾静脉实施攻击 ,攻击后 6周处死部分小鼠 ,用酶联免疫吸附测定 (ELISA)法检测血清总IgG、纯化蛋白衍生物 (PPD)特异性脾淋巴细胞干扰素γ(IFN γ)和白细胞介素 4 (IL 4 )分泌水平 ,四甲基偶氮唑盐 (MTT)法测定特异性脾淋巴细胞增殖 ;作脾、肺组织荷菌量和病理学检查 ,并观察小鼠存活时间。结果　PBS组肺和脾器官荷菌量分别为lg-1(7 85 4± 0 0 0 3)CFU/g和lg-1(7 190±0 0 16 )CFU/g、pcDNA3.1组分别为lg-1(7 70 0± 0 0 16 )CFU/g和lg-1(7 0 72± 0 0 6 8)CFU/g、BCG组分别为lg-1(6 4 4 9± 0 0 0 2 )CFU/g和lg-1(5 4 36± 0 0 4 2 )CFU/g、pcDNA/Ag85B组分别为lg-1(7 370± 0 0 0 2 )CFU/g和lg-1(6 4 2 96± 0 0 0 9)C     

依赖利福平结核分枝杆菌的动物实验研究

目的通过对依赖利福平结核分枝杆菌的豚鼠结核病模型研究,探讨依赖利福平结核分枝杆菌是否存在。方法豚鼠按随机数字法分成依赖利福平结核分枝杆菌(1130株、1219株、b858株)组、耐利福平结核分枝杆菌(1290株)组和对豚鼠强毒力致病株(ATCC 35810株)组,每株组再设实验组和对照组。建立豚鼠1130株、1219株、b858株、1290株和 ATCC 35810株攻毒模型,实验组用利福平治疗,对照组用生理盐水治疗,各组分别于4、7、10周观察豚鼠脏器(脾、肺、肝)致病指数、脏器重量指数(WI)、脏器(脾、肺)结核分枝杆菌培养的荷菌量及组织病理学检查。结果 1130株、1219株、1290株和 b858株攻毒豚鼠7周时,致病指数值:实验组分别为68.7±13.8、60.0±13.5、70.0±5.8和23.8±18.9,对照组分别为76.2±18.9、40.0±16.8、63.8±10.3和22.5±15.5,差异均无统计学意义(t 值分别为0.64、1.85、0.35和0.10,P 均>0.05);脾 WI 值:实验组分别为0.229±0.048、0.256±0.067、0.324±0.054和0.199±0.029,对照组分别为0.278±0.025、0.216±0.076、0.368±0.033和0.213±0.038,差异均无统计学意义(t 值分别为1.75、0.79、1.41和0.57,P 均>0.05);脾荷菌量的对数值:实验组分别为(4.98±0.30)、(4.68±1.26)、(5.07±0.47)和(3.85±0.45)CFU,对照组分别为(4.90±1.03)、(4.79±0.45)、(5.08±0.55)和(4.23±0.95)CFU,差异均无统计学意义(t 值分别为0.11、0.15、0.03和0.73,P 均>0.05),实验组和对照组的病理检查结果相似。结论依赖利福平结核分枝杆菌豚鼠结核病模型研究结果与耐利福平结核分枝杆菌株豚鼠结核病模型近似,未见明显依赖利福平现象。     

CpG 寡脱氧核苷酸增强小鼠抗结核分枝杆菌感染的作用与机制

目的观察CpG 寡脱氧核苷酸(ODN)对结核分枝杆菌感染小鼠的保护作用及其机制.方法将96只雌性BALB/c小鼠按随机数字表法分为4组,每组24只,分别为CpG ODN免疫组(A组)、对照ODN免疫组(B组)、感染对照组(C组)和正常对照组(D组).A组和B组小鼠于攻毒前2周腹腔注射CpG ODN和对照ODN(30 μg/只).A 、B、C 3组小鼠经尾静脉注射结核分枝杆菌(H37Rv ,1×106条/只).攻毒后3周,每组处死12只小鼠,观察肺脾组织病理学变化,检测肺脾组织Toll样受体9(TLR9)mRNA、γ干扰素(IFN-γ)mRNA、白细胞介素(IL)-4 mRNA、IL-10 mRNA和IL-6 mRNA表达以及肺和脾组织菌落计数.同时观察4组小鼠生存率.结果 CpG ODN能够提高结核分枝杆菌感染小鼠的生存率.A组[(20.37±1.12)g]小鼠体重高于B组[(17.50±0.62)g]和C组[(17.15±0.97)g, P均<0.01];A组小鼠肺湿重[(0.25±0.02)g]与B组[(0.27±0.34) g,P>0.05]相似,但低于C组[(0.28±0.26) g,P<0.01];A组小鼠脾湿重[(0.63±0.37)g]高于B组[(0.39±0.05)g]和C组[(0.38±0.02) g, P均<0.01].A组小鼠肺部炎症较B组和C组小鼠为轻.A组小鼠肺脏和脾脏组织匀浆未见结核分枝杆菌菌落生长.A组小鼠肺、脾组织TLR9 mRNA表达(分别为0.61±0.29和0.72±0.48)与B组(分别为0.58±0.35和0.64±0.28)和C组(分别为0.60±0.32和0.65±0.31)相似(P>0.05),但高于D组(分别为0.11±0.08和0.26±0.22,P<0.01),CpG ODN对TLR9 mRNA的表达无影响.A组小鼠肺、脾组织IFN-γ mRNA表达(分别为0.44±0.07和0.76±0.09)高于B组(分别为0.19±0.05和0.22±0.05)和C组(分别为0.16±0.04和0.18±0.08,P均<0.01).A组小鼠肺、脾组织IL-6 mRNA的表达(分别为1.56±0.29和8.21±0.82)高于B组(分别为0.86±0.55和0.16±0.09)和C组(分别为0.78±0.21和0.06±0.04,P均<0.01).A组小鼠肺、脾组织IL-4 mRNA的表达(分别为0.18±0.05和0.06±0.02)低于B组(分别为0.31±0.06和1.22±0.01)和C组(0.35±0.04,1.31±0.31,P均<0.01).A、B、C 3组小鼠肺组织IL-10 mRNA的表达分别为0.28±0.06、0.26±0.04、0.28±0.05,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);A组脾组织IL-10 mRNA的表达(0.05±0.02)低于B组(0.57±0.09)和C组(0.65±0.15,P均<0.01).结论 CpG ODN可促进Th1型免疫反应,抑制Th2型免疫反应,增强小鼠抵抗结核分枝菌感染的能力.     

结核分枝杆菌复苏因子D-DNA疫苗在小鼠抗感染中的免疫保护作用初探

目的探讨结核分枝杆菌复苏因子D(RpfD)-DNA疫苗在BALB/c小鼠抗H37Rv感染中产生的免疫原性。方法将90只SPF级BALB/c小鼠随机分为3组(每组30只),即RpfD疫苗免疫组、BCG免疫组、生理盐水对照组,分别以RpfD-DNA疫苗、BCG和生理盐水于0、3、6周共3次免疫小鼠,于第9周用结核分枝杆菌气雾感染小鼠。于第17周采集小鼠血清,应用ELISA方法检测RpfD抗体效价、IFNγ水平,ELISA检测脾淋巴细胞培养上清诱导的IFNγ、IL-12水平,采用CCK-8检测淋巴细胞增殖指数,LDH方法检测淋巴细胞CTL杀伤效应,并对小鼠肺组织菌荷量计数。结果 RpfD疫苗免疫组小鼠血清RpfD抗体水平和IFNγ水平均显著高于生理盐水组对照组及BCG组(P<0.05或P<0.01)。RpfD体外刺激培养小鼠脾淋巴细胞释放IFNγ水平RpfD疫苗免疫组显著高于其他组(P<0.05);IL-12水平3组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。RpfD疫苗免疫组淋巴细胞增殖指数和脾特异性CTL杀伤性显著高于其他组(P<0.05)。RpfD疫苗免疫组小鼠肺组织结核分枝杆菌CFU显著低于其他组(P<0.05)。结论 RpfD-DNA疫苗可诱导小鼠产生免疫应答,具有免疫原性。     

结核分枝杆菌低剂量感染小鼠模型的建立与分析

目的 建立结核分枝杆菌低剂量感染的小鼠模型,分析感染小鼠组织荷菌量、组织病理随感染时间的动态变化。 方法 以100 菌落形成单位(CFU)的结核分枝杆菌标准株H37Rv经尾静脉途径感染雌性C57BL/6J小鼠40只,于感染后1、3、5、8、12、16、20、24周取材,每个时间点5只小鼠,脾、肺组织匀浆培养检测脾脏组织的荷菌量,脾脏、肺脏及肝脏组织经HE染色分析病理变化。 结果 小鼠感染后3周脾脏荷菌量达到（4.97±0.19）lg CFU,在感染后5周下降至（3.64±0.22）lg CFU,至感染后8周降到最低的（2.75±0.23）lg CFU;感染后3周肝、脾、肺等脏器出现病理改变,感染5周时病变加重,感染8周时病变自然减轻。 结论 成功建立了结核分枝杆菌低剂量感染小鼠模型,为结核分枝杆菌慢性持续感染或潜伏感染的研究可提供有用的工具。     

GLS/IL-12重组BCG的构建及其对小鼠结核病疗效的研究

目的构建携带编码人天然颗粒溶素(GLS)和小鼠IL-12基因质粒(pZM03)的重组卡介苗(BCG),并观察其对结核分枝杆菌感染的疗效与机制。方法将分枝杆菌复制子OriM克隆进已含GLS和IL-12的多启动子真核共表达载体pBudCE4.1中(pZM02),得到穿梭质粒pZM03,以pZM03电转化BCG获得重组BCG。结核分枝杆菌H37Rv感染Balb/c小鼠4周后分别用生理盐水、BCG、pZM03和重组BCG治疗,于第一次治疗后3个月,处死小鼠,检测器官荷菌量、脾淋巴细胞IFN-γ和TNF-α的分泌水平、血清IL-12和肺、脾组织中GLS表达,同时观察小鼠肺、脾组织病理改变情况。结果重组BCG治疗组肺、脾组织荷菌量比生理盐水组、BCG组和质粒组显著降低。重组BCG组和pZM03组经PPD刺激后IFN-γ和TNF-α分泌水平明显高于BCG组和生理盐水组。重组BCG组血清IL-12水平明显高于生理盐水组,但与pZM03质粒组和BCG载体组无明显差异。用免疫组化检测到小鼠肺及脾组织中GLS的表达。生理盐水和BCG组肺组织病理改变以渗出为主,病变广泛,增生改变不明显;重组BCG病变范围局限,并有大量类上皮细胞、泡沫细胞等细胞出现。结论成功构建携带GLS和IL-12的重组BCG;重组BCG对小鼠结核病有一定免疫治疗作用,系增强宿主Th1型免疫应答和抗菌活性有关。     

应用结核病DNA疫苗治疗小鼠耐多药结核病的研究

目的 研究结核分枝杆菌Ag85A质粒DNA疫苗单独或联合药物治疗小鼠耐多药结核病的效果,为建立耐多药结核病的免疫治疗新策略和新方案奠定基础.方法 用结核分枝杆菌高耐利福平、低耐异烟肼临床分离株HB361尾静脉注射17～19 g的6～8周龄雌性BALB/C小鼠后,将小鼠随机分为6组,每组10只.感染后第2天开始,分别用pVAX1载体(A组)、利福平(B组)、吡嗪酰胺(C组)、Ag85A质粒DNA疫苗(D组)、Ag85A质粒DNA疫苗联合利福平(E组)、Ag85A质粒DNA疫苗联合吡嗪酰胺(F组)治疗60 d.治疗结束后4周,分别取肺、肝和脾观察病理改变,称取重量,做菌落计数.结果 小鼠感染4周后,肺内菌量达到1.5×107 CFU,脾内菌量达到1.1×106 CFU.A、B组小鼠死亡率均为10%,其余各组小鼠均存活.治疗结束后4周,肺组织病理显示,各治疗组肺组织病变均有不同程度减轻,病变局限,可见正常的肺泡结构,肺泡轮廓相对清晰.与A组比较,C、D、E、F组肺组织菌落数分别减少了1.18、1.35、1.38、1.08 logs,脾脏菌落数分别减少了0.91、1.00、1.26、1.03 logs(P＜0.01).结论 结核分枝杆菌Ag85A质粒DNA疫苗单独或联合药物治疗小鼠耐多药结核病均有显著疗效.Ag85A质粒DNA疫苗与抗结核药物联合治疗是治疗耐多药结核病的最有前途的免疫策略.     

耻垢分枝杆菌疫苗对小鼠细胞因子产生及Th1/Th2应答的影响

目的研究以耻垢分枝杆菌(M.S)制备的M.S疫苗对小鼠免疫应答的影响,验证M.S的免疫原性、探讨M.S疫苗的免疫调节作用。方法将BALB/c小鼠随机分成生理盐水对照组和M.S疫苗低、中、高剂量组,每组6只,分别注射生理盐水和不同剂量的M.S疫苗。取小鼠脾细胞或腹腔巨噬细胞体外培养,用酶联免疫吸附测定(ELISA)法检测培养上清中白细胞介素(IL)-2、IL-4、IL-12和γ干扰素(IFN-γ)的含量,分析M.S疫苗对小鼠Th1/Th2类应答的影响。结果(1)生理盐水对照组和M.S疫苗低、中、高剂量组小鼠产生的IL-12分别为(32.6±22.7)、(58.9±18.6)、(77.3±38.0)、(114.7±9.9)pg/m l,M.S疫苗中、高剂量组与生理盐水对照组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。(2)生理盐水对照组和M.S疫苗低、中、高剂量组小鼠产生的IL-2分别为(5.0±2.6)、(13.4±9.3)、(15.3±9.7)、(22.6±7.5)pg/m l,M.S疫苗高剂量组与生理盐水对照组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。(3)体外以ConA刺激时,生理盐水对照组和M.S疫苗中剂量组小鼠产生的IFN-γ分别为(662±279)和(807±163)pg/m l,IL-4分别为(407±127)和(101±26)pg/m l,但M.S疫苗组与生理盐水对照组比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);体外以M.S-纯化蛋白衍生物(PPD)刺激时,生理盐水对照组和M.S疫苗中剂量组小鼠产生的IFN-γ分别为(14.0±6.31)和(55.3±32.4)pg/m l,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),各组产生的IL-4均在检测限以下。结论M.S具有良好的免疫原性,以此制备的M.S疫苗具有促进Th1类应答、抑制Th2类应答的免疫调节作用。     

Ag85A/B嵌合DNA疫苗治疗小鼠敏感结核病疗效的实验研究

目的研究结核分枝杆菌Ag85A/B嵌合DNA疫苗治疗小鼠敏感结核病的效果。方法用结核分枝杆菌标准株H37Rv尾静脉注射50只雌性BALB/c小鼠后,将小鼠随机均匀地分为5组,感染后第3 d开始,分别用生理盐水(A组)、pVAX1载体(B组)、利福平(C组)、草分枝杆菌F.U.36注射液(D组)、Ag85A/B嵌合DNA疫苗(E组)治疗,每2周肌肉注射1次DNA疫苗,共3次。在治疗结束后2周,杀鼠,取小鼠肺和脾观察病理改变、称取重量、做菌落计数。结果与A组比较,D组、E组肺脏病变有不同程度减轻,病变局限,3/5区域肺泡结构完整,清晰,细胞分布均匀。与A组相比,C、D、E组肺脏菌落数依次减少2.11 log、0.76 log、0.81 log;肝脏菌落数依次减少2.11 log、0.74 log、1.11 logs(P0.01)。结论 Ag85A/B嵌合DNA对小鼠敏感结核病具有较好的治疗效果。     

Differential activation of alveolar and peritoneal macrophages from BCG-vaccinated guinea pigs

We compared the effect of BCG vaccination on the mRNA expression of two prototypic cytokines, IL-12 (Type 1) and IL-10 (Type 2), in guinea pig resident alveolar macrophages (AM) or resident peritoneal macrophages (PM). Cells were stimulated with live or heat-killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and/or with recombinant guinea pig (rgp) TNF-alpha and/or rgp IFN-gamma. AM from BCG-vaccinated guinea pigs expressed significantly less IL-10 mRNA and more IL-12p40 mRNA compared to AM from naive animals following stimulation with heat-killed mycobacteria. In PM from BCG-vaccinated guinea pigs, IL-12p40 mRNA was significantly up-regulated; however, the level of IL-10 mRNA was not affected by prior vaccination. rgp TNF-alpha or rgp IFN-gamma, both alone and together, induced a significant increase of H(2)O(2) production in PM from BCG-vaccinated animals. MHC class II expression was dramatically up-regulated in PM from BCG-vaccinated animals stimulated with both rgp TNF-alpha and rgp IFN-gamma. The levels of IL-10 and IL-12p40 mRNA were significantly enhanced in PM stimulated with combinations of rgp TNF-alpha and rgp IFN-gamma, and those cells suppressed the intracellular accumulation of viable, virulent M. tuberculosis. BCG vaccination results in the differential activation of guinea pig AM and PM to promote a Type 1 cytokine milieu and control intracellular mycobacteria.     

Efficacy of recombinant bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccine secreting interleukin-15/antigen 85B fusion protein in providing protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis not only depends on CD4+ T helper type 1 (Th1) cells but, also, on CD8+ T cells. Interleukin (IL)-15 has an important function in the maintenance of memory CD8+ T cells. In the present study, we examined the efficacy of recombinant Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette-Guérin (rBCG) secreting fusion protein antigen (Ag) 85B murine IL-15 (rBCG-Ag85B-IL15) in providing protection against M. tuberculosis infection. The levels of major histocompatibility (MHC) class Ib (H2-M3)-binding TB2- or MHC class Ia (H-2Db)-binding MPT64-specific CD8+ T cells producing interferon (IFN)-gamma were significantly higher after immunization with rBCG-Ag85B-IL15 than after immunization with rBCG secreting Ag85B (rBCG-Ag85B). The levels of purified protein derivative- or Ag85B-specific CD4+ T cells producing IFN-gamma were also higher in mice immunized with rBCG-Ag85B-IL15 than in mice immunized with rBCG-Ag85B. Mice immunized with rBCG-Ag85B-IL15 exhibited CD8+ and CD4+ T cells responses that were stronger than those in mice immunized with rBCG-Ag85B, as well as robust protection in the lung against intratracheal challenge of M. tuberculosis. Thus, rBCG-Ag85B-IL15 vaccination capable of inducing efficient cell-mediated immunity might be used as an effective vaccine for tuberculosis.     

结核分支杆菌Ag85B DNA疫苗的构建及其免疫作用的研究

目的 研究pcDNA3-Ag85B质粒DNA疫苗的免疫原性及其诱生细胞免疫应答的作用。方法 将结核分支杆菌Ag85B基因插入载体pcDNA3中,制备pcDNA3-Ag85B DNA疫苗。分别以生理盐水、pcDNA3及pcDNA3-Ag85B免疫BALB／c小鼠,检测小鼠抗Ag85B抗体水平（ELISA）和体外循异抗原刺激诱导的免疫小鼠脾细胞IL－2、IL－4、IL－10、IFN－γ表达水平。结果 pcDNA3-Ag85B诱生的抗Ag85B效介明显高于生理盐水组和pcDNA3组;pcDNA3-Ag85B免疫小鼠脾细胞在Ag85B抗原刺激下,IL－2和IFN－γ mRNA转录水平明显高于对照组,而IL－4和IL－10 mRNA转录水平在3组中无明显变化。结论 pcDNA3-Ag85B质粒DNA疫苗不仅能增强体液免疫,亦可诱导Th1型细胞免疫。     

白细胞介素12调节小鼠Th1/Th2的抗结核分支杆菌感染研究

目的 观察、评价白细胞介素１２（ＩＬ－１２）对结核分支杆菌感染小鼠细胞因子的影响和疗效。方法 将ＢＡＬＢ／ｃ小鼠４２只,制成小鼠结核分支杆菌感染模型,随机分为对照组（ＰＢＳ）和ＩＬ－１２共两组（２１只）。给予ＰＢＳ或ＩＬ－１２治疗,检测血清γ干扰素（ＩＮＦ－γ）、ＩＬ－４、ＩＬ－１０水平（ＥＬＩＳＡ法）和器官菌数计数,观察治疗后生存率。结果 ＩＬ－１２组小鼠无一死亡、肺、肝、脾菌落数分别为（２２７     

Novel vaccines against M. tuberculosis

CDC and ACET in U.S.A. reported that novel vaccines instead of BCG are required for the protection against infection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis worldwide. However, no novel vaccine for clinical use has not yet been developed in the world including U.S.A. and Europe. We have developed two novel tuberculosis (TB) vaccines; a DNA vaccine combination expressing mycobacterial heat shock protein 65 (HSP 65) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) by using the hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ)-liposome (HSP 65 + IL-12/HVJ). A mouse IL-12 expression vector (mIL-12 DNA) encoding single-chain IL-12 proteins comorised of p40 and p35 subunits were constructed. In a mouse model, a single gene gun vaccination with the combination of HSP 65 DNA and mIL-12 DNA provided a remarkably high degree of protection against challenge with virulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis; bacterial numbers were 100 fold lower in the lungs compared to BCG-vaccinated mice. To explore the clinical use of the DNA vaccines, we evaluated HVJ-liposome encapsulated HAP 65 DNA and mIL-12 DNA (HSP 65 + mIL-12/ HVJ). The HVJ-liposome method improved the protective efficacy of the HSP 65 DNA vaccine compared to gene gun vaccination. This vaccine provide remarkable protective efficacy in mouse and guinea pig models, as compared to the current by available BCG vaccine. HSP 65 + IL-12/HVJ vaccine induced CD8+cytoxic T lymphocyte activity against HSP 65 antigen. Protective efficacy of this vaccine was associated with the emergence of IFN-gamma-secreting T cells and activation of proliferative T cells as well as CTL induction upon stimulation with the HSP 65 and antigens from M. tuberculosis. Furthermore, we extended our studies to a cynomolgus monkey model, which is currently the best animal model of human tuberculosis, to evaluate the HSP 65 + IL-12/HVJ vaccine. Vaccination with HSP 65 + IL-12/HVJ provided better protective efficacy as assessed by the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, chest X-ray findings, and immune responses than BCG. Most importantly, HSP 65 + IL-12/HVJ resulted in an increased survival for over a year. This is the first report of successful DNA vaccination against M. tuberculosis in the monkey model. Novel TB vaccines using the monkey model will be discussed in this issue. The development of novel vaccines against tuberculosis was also studied in murine and cynomolgus monkey systems. Four distinct methods; DNA vaccination (1. plasmid, 2. adenovirus vector, 3. adenoassouated virus), 4. recombinant BCG, and 5. subunit (recombinant protein) were used for the development of novel vaccines. Genes (HSP 65 gene, IL-12 gene as well as Ag 85A-, 85B-, MPB51-gene) and IL-6 related genes (IL-6 gene + IL-6R gene +gp130 gene) were administered into the Balb/c mice infected (i.v. or intra-tracheal injection) with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). Elimination of M. tuberculosis in lungs, liver, and spleen of these mice and survival were studied in these models. HSP 65 gene + IL-12 gene vaccination, or recombinant BCG (BA51 : Antigen 85B(-) + Antigen 85A(-) + MPB51-gene recombinant BCG) were more prophylactically efficient than parental BCG Tokyo vaccination. In contrast, IL-6 related genes vaccination using adenovirus vector showed therapeutic effect on M. tuberculosis infected mice. Cytotoxic T cells (CTL) activity against M. tuberculosis in the spleen cells from mice treated with IL-6 related genes vaccination were significantly augmented. Furthermore, NOD-SCID-PBL/hu mice treated with anti-IL-2 receptor beta-chain antibody provide an useful tool for analyzing in vivo human T cell immunity against tuberculosis. In conclusion, we demonstrate the development of a novel HVJ-liposome DNA vaccine encapsulating HSP 65 DNA plus IL-12 DNA. These results suggest that HSP 65 + IL-12/HVJ could be a promising candidate for a new tuberculosis DNA vaccine, which is superior to the currently available BCG vaccine. The goal of our study is to develop a new tuberculosis vaccine superior to BCG. To this aim, we believe that the protective efficacy and protective immune responses for vaccine candidates should be addressed in larger animals, such as nonhuman primates, before proceeding to human clinical trials. Although other DNA vaccine candidates that appear to protect against virulent M. tuberculosis in mice better than BCG have failed to provide better protection than BCG in guinea pigs against aerosol challenge of a low dose of virulent M. tuberculosis, some of them are being prepared to enter early human clinical trials. More recently, we evaluated the HSP 65 + hIL-12/HVJ vaccine in the cynomolgus monkey model, which is currently the best non-human primate animal model of human tuberculosis. Monkeys were subsequently challenged with virulent M. tuberculosis by the intra-tracheal route after the third vaccination. This challenge dose normally causes death from acute respiratory infection within 4-6 months. In this particular experiment, monkeys vaccinated with HSP 65 + hIL-12/HVJ induced HSP 65-specific T-cell proliferation and improvement of chest X-P findings, resulting in an increased survival for over a year, superior to BCG group. Thus, we are taking advantage of the availability of multiple animal models (mouse, guinea pig, and monkey) to accumulate essential data of the HVJ-liposome DNA vaccine, including the vaccine efficacy and safety, for up-coming Phase I clinical trials.     

结核分枝杆菌Ag85A/ESAT-6嵌合型质粒DNA疫苗和抗结核药物联合治疗小鼠耐药结核病的效果研究

目的研究结核分枝杆菌Ag85A/ESAT-6嵌合型质粒DNA疫苗和抗结核药物联合治疗小鼠耐药结核病的效果。方法用结核分枝杆菌高耐利福平低耐异烟肼临床分离株HB240尾静脉注射BALB/c小鼠1个月后,将小鼠随机分成2组,第1组用利福平(RFP)、异烟肼(INH)治疗12周,第2组用RFP、INH和结核分枝杆菌Ag85A/ESAT-6嵌合型质粒DNA疫苗(免疫5次)联合治疗12周;治疗结束后4和8周,分别取肺、肝和脾观察病理改变、称取质量、作菌落计数。结果治疗结束后4和8周,第2组小鼠体质量均超过第1组,但无显著性差异(P>0.05)。治疗结束后4周,第2组肺、脾脏指数(0.017,0.011)均略低于第1组(0.020,0.012)(P>0.05);治疗结束后8周,第2组肺、肝脏指数(0.021,0.047)均略低于第1组(0.022,0.048)(P>0.05);而第2组脾脏指数(0.008)显著低于第1组(0.012)(P<0.05)。治疗结束后4周,第2组有4例脾脏未见明显病变,第1组仅1例脾脏未见明显病变;治疗结束后8周,第2组有1例肺门淋巴结肿大,而第1组有3例;第2组有5例脾脏未见明显病变,第1组仅2例脾脏未见明显病变。治疗结束后4周,第2组肺菌落计数和脾菌落计数比第1组显著减少,分别减少70%和80%。结论DNA疫苗和抗结核药物联合治疗小鼠耐药结核病疗效高于单纯化疗。