三种类型CpG-ODN作为蛋白亚单位疫苗佐剂的比较研究

目的 比较A、B和C3种类型CpG-ODN在动物模型中的疫苗佐剂活性,为设计高活性的新型人用疫苗佐剂提供理论基础.方法 用不同CpG-ODN刺激体外培养的小鼠脾细胞,检测上清中的IFN-γ和IgM,从而确定3种类型的CpG-ODN.以基因工程乙肝表面抗原(HBsAg)为模型抗原、不同类型CpG-ODN为佐剂免疫BALB/c小鼠,用间接ELISA法检测被免动物血清中抗原特异性ISG、IgG1和IgG2a抗体.结果 小鼠免疫结果表明,与Al(OH),对照组相比,3种类型CpG-ODN均具有良好的疫苗佐剂活性,但B和C型CpG-ODN诱生的抗原特异性IgG和IgG2a抗体水平远高于A型CpG-ODN.虽然A型CpG-ODN也能够显著增强总抗体水平,但并不改变IgG1和IgG2a抗体亚型的比值.这与B和C型CpG-ODN能够极大地促进TH1类免疫应答并降低IgG1/IgG2a比值明显不同,提示不同类型CpG-ODN可能通过不同机制起到疫苗佐剂作用.结论 不同类型CpG-ODN具有不同疫苗佐剂活性,B和c型CpG.ODN在小鼠体内的体液免疫佐剂效果优于A型CpG.ODN.     

免疫途径和佐剂对CVB3VP1蛋白免疫效果的影响

目的:观察不同免疫途径和佐剂类型对柯萨奇病毒B组3型(Coxsackievirus group B type 3,CVB3)衣壳蛋白VP1免疫效果的影响.方法:将原核表达质粒pET-his/VP1转入E.coli BL21 (DE3) pLysS中,用异丙基-1-硫代-β呋喃半乳糖苷(IPTG)诱导CVB3VP1蛋白的表达并进行纯化.首先采用不同的免疫途径(皮下,腹腔,肌肉)用VP1蛋白免疫小鼠,每组12只.然后另取小鼠分为PBS组和不同佐剂组(氢氧化铝、弗氏佐剂、Montanide ISA720),每组18只,采用肌肉注射途径免疫.每次每只小鼠注射50μg,共免疫3次,间隔3周.用ELISA和微量中和试验检测血清特异性IgG抗体和中和抗体.用CCK-8法检测淋巴细胞增殖活性和CTL杀伤活性.用致死量的CVB3攻击后,检测血中病毒的滴度并观察小鼠的存活状况.结果:在大肠杆菌中成功表达CVB3VP1蛋白.三种免疫途径比较,肌肉注射组血清中和抗体和特异性IgG抗体的水平明显高于其他组(P＜0.01).采用肌肉注射免疫时,弗氏佐剂组Montanide ISA 720佐剂组的体液免疫和细胞免疫应答的水平明显高于氢氧化铝组(P＜0.05);但血中病毒的滴度低于氢氧化铝组(P＜0.05).弗氏佐剂组小鼠的生存率好于氢氧化铝组(P＜0.05).结论:采用肌肉注射途径,并联合弗氏佐剂或Montanide ISA 720佐剂可以使CVB3VP1免疫获得较好的免疫效果.     

IL-2和GM-CSF表达质粒对pcDNA3/MDC-VP1 DNA疫苗作用的比较

目的:比较IL-2与GM-CSF两种细胞因子对pcDNA3/MDC-VP1 DNA疫苗免疫的免疫增强效果.方法:4～6周龄雄性BALB/c小鼠随机分成pcDNA3组、pcDNA3/MDC-VP1组、pcDNA3/MDC-VP1与pcDNA3/hIL-2混合注射组、pcDNA3/MDC-VP1与pcDNA3/mGM-CSF混合注射组,每组10只.每3周接种1次,共3次.每次接种后的第20天眼眶采血,用微量中和试验(固定病毒-稀释血清法)检测血清中和抗体效价.第3次免疫后3周,每组取3只小鼠脾脏制备淋巴细胞悬液,检测淋巴细胞增殖活性与特异性细胞毒性T淋巴细胞(CTL)杀伤活性.结果:pcDNA3/MDC-VP1+pcDNA3/mGM-CSF组的血清中和抗体滴度明显提高,小鼠脾脏淋巴细胞增殖活性和特异性CTL杀伤活性均有增强.结论:GM-CSF作为本疫苗分子佐剂能诱导小鼠产生较强的体液和细胞免疫,免疫效果优于IL-2.     

恶性疟疾疫苗M.RCAg-1与候选佐剂纳米乳配伍的免疫原性研究

为了评价纳米乳作为佐剂对恶性疟疾人工重组蛋白疫苗M.RCAg-1免疫原性的影响,将纳米乳佐剂与M.RCAg-1相配伍,于第0、14、28 d肌肉注射免疫小鼠,抗原量为20μg/只。第3次免疫后10 d,眼球取血并取脾细胞。采用ELISA法检测小鼠血清特异性Ig G抗体水平、抗体亚类及其对抗原单表位的识别,用间接免疫荧光反应(IFA)检测抗体对恶性疟原虫天然蛋白的识别,用ELISPOT法检测小鼠脾淋巴细胞免疫应答水平。结果显示疫苗佐剂组小鼠血清中抗M.RCAg-1的抗体水平可达1∶108;疫苗佐剂组产生的特异性Ig G抗体以Ig G1为主;疫苗佐剂组抗体对抗原单表位和天然虫体的识别效果显著。各表位和蛋白诱发免疫小鼠分泌IFN-γ的特异性淋巴细胞克隆数高于分泌IL-4的特异性淋巴细胞克隆数。结果提示纳米乳作为恶性疟疾疫苗M.RCAg-1的佐剂,能够显著提高机体的体液免疫和细胞免疫应答水平。     

四价流感病毒亚单位疫苗配伍RFH01佐剂在小鼠体内的免疫原性研究

目的评价四价流感病毒亚单位疫苗配伍RFH01佐剂在小鼠模型中的免疫原性。方法按照《中国药典》2020年版(三部)的方法对4种单价流感病毒亚单位疫苗原液进行鉴别试验。在研究配伍RFH01佐剂的四价流感病毒亚单位疫苗小鼠模型中, 采用随机分组法将460只雌性6～8周龄BALB/c小鼠分为实验组、疫苗对照组、阴性对照组和空白组, 共46组, 每组10只。在研究四价流感病毒亚单位疫苗在老年和青年小鼠模型中, 采用随机分组将80只雌性10月龄和80只雌性10周龄BALB/c小鼠同时分为单价流感病毒疫苗、四价流感病毒亚单位疫苗、四价流感病毒亚单位疫苗+RFH01佐剂组、鸡胚四价流感病毒裂解疫苗对照组和PBS组, 共16组, 每组10只。均采用肌内注射免疫, 初次免疫21 d后, 采血分离血清, 并用相同程序和剂量进行加强免疫, 第42天采血分离血清。血凝抑制试验检测小鼠血清抗体水平。结果两次免疫后, 所有配伍RFH01的疫苗组阳转率均达到100%, 且血清抗体效价几何平均滴度(geometric mean titer, GMT)显著高于不含佐剂的疫苗组。配伍RFH01佐剂的单价流感病毒疫苗和四价流...     

重组戊型肝炎氢氧化铝佐剂疫苗的磷含量与免疫效力关系研究

目的探索氢氧化铝佐剂戊肝疫苗的免疫原性与疫苗中PO_4~(3-)浓度的关系,并分析抗体滴度与抗原在羊淋巴液中吸附率有无相关性。方法用不同浓度PO_4~(3-)处理氢氧化铝佐剂制备试验疫苗,腹腔免疫Balb/c小鼠,ELISA法定量检测免疫后不同时间血清抗体滴度,同时采用钼酸铵还原法检测试验疫苗离心沉淀中的磷含量,根据兰格缪尔方程计算抗原在含不同浓度PO_4~(3-)的佐剂表面的最大吸附量(Γm)。试验疫苗在羊淋巴液中的抗原吸附率采用ELISA法检测。结果随疫苗中PO_4~(3-)浓度增加,抗原最大吸附量(Γm)减小,抗原在羊淋巴液中的吸附率下降,免疫血清抗体滴度渐次增加,直至达到平稳状态。结论在一定范围内增加疫苗磷酸根含量可减小抗原在羊淋巴液中吸附率,降低佐剂对抗原的吸附程度,提高疫苗免疫抗体滴度。     

基于流行病学调查的H1N1流感疫苗免疫应答评价研究

本文通过比较单价pH1N1疫苗接种者、pH1N1流感感染病例、流感患者密切接触者、健康对照人群的病毒特异性体液和细胞免疫水平,对pH1N1流感疫苗的免疫保护性效果进行了评价。采集4组人群外周血,检测血清中的pH1N1流感病毒特异性IgG抗体水平、抗体中和能力,以及PBMC经特异性病毒抗原刺激后分泌IFN-γ的能力。发现pH1N1流感病例组中抗血凝素特异性IgG抗体水平显著高于疫苗接种组、健康对照组和密切接触组,而疫苗接种组则高于密切接触组,但与健康对照组无统计学差异;病例组和密切接触组的血凝抑制水平和分泌IFN-γ的PBMC数量均高于疫苗接种组和健康对照组。同时,特异性IgG与血凝抑制水平呈正相关,分泌IFN-γ的PBMC数量也与血凝抑制水平呈正相关。本研究认为,pH1N1流感病毒感染诱发的特异性细胞免疫和体液免疫应答水平及抗体中和能力均高于疫苗接种者。相对于健康人群,疫苗接种组在诱导产生病毒特异性IgG方面虽然没有比健康人群表现出特别强的优势,但其较高的特异性IgG与血凝抑制水平,表明疫苗接种仍然不失为一种有效的产生保护性抗体的重要手段,但是和病毒感染后的免疫应答反应相比,其不能诱导产生有效的细胞免疫应答。通过新型疫苗佐剂的选择使用等措施促进疫苗接种后体液和细胞免疫共同保护作用的产生值得进一步深入研究。     

IL-17作为分子佐剂增强HIV DNA疫苗细胞免疫应答的研究

目的 为了进一步增强HIV DNA疫苗的免疫反应,本研究将IL-17作为HIV DNA疫苗的分子佐剂免疫小鼠,旨在探讨IL-17对HIVDNA疫苗诱导体液和细胞免疫应答的影响.方法 将小鼠IL-17构建到真核表达载体,与HW-1膜蛋白DNA疫苗pGX-Env联合免疫BALB/c小鼠;分别在第0、2周进行免疫,在第4周检测T淋巴细胞增殖指数、抗-Env IgG、细胞因子表达水平和体内细胞毒性T淋巴细胞杀伤作用(CTL)等免疫学指标.结果 IL-17能够增强HIV DNA疫苗的特定免疫反应.与单注射疫苗组相比,IL-17作为佐剂组的T细胞增殖、抗体水平和CD4~+T细胞分泌IFN-γ、IL-4和IL-17的表达均无明显增强,但对CD8~+T细胞分泌IFN-γ的表达和体内CTL的效果影响明显(P<0.05).结论 IL-17作为分子佐剂不足以影响Th细胞分化,然而却能够增强特异性CD8~+T细胞中IFN-γ的表达,尤其是增强体内CTL反应.此结果为增强艾滋病DNA疫苗CD8~+T细胞活性和用于艾滋病的治疗提供了一个新的思路.     

季节性流感裂解疫苗在小鼠中半数有效剂量ED50a的测定

目的探讨季节性流感疫苗在小鼠中的免疫原性及其使50％小鼠血凝抑制抗体滴度（HI）达到40的血凝素（HA）有效剂量（ED50。）。方法以我国2008—2009年度季节性流感裂解疫苗为模式,将该疫苗中针对甲型流感病毒HlNl与H3N2两种组分按照HA不同剂量免疫小鼠,通过比较1针免疫与2针免疫所产生的Hl抗体强度探讨季节性流感疫苗在小鼠中的免疫原性,确定疫苗免疫程序;此后,观察两种疫苗组分免疫小鼠后的HI抗体动力学,确定HI抗体产生的高峰期;最后,使用HA不同剂量免疫小鼠,在HI抗体高峰期测定使50％小鼠HI抗体滴度达到40的HA有效剂量（ED50。）。结果季节性流感疫苗1针与2针免疫结果显示,两种疫苗组分1针免疫可在小鼠中产生HI抗体滴度范围为10～120,2针免疫可以使HI抗体滴度为1针免疫的10～100倍;HI抗体动力学研究表明,两种疫苗组分1针免疫后第28～35天为HI抗体产生的高峰期;该高峰期的ED50‘测定结果表明,两种疫苗组分使50％小鼠HI抗体滴度达到40的HA有效剂量（ED50。）均为1．5μg。结论季节性流感疫苗在小鼠中具有良好的免疫原性,1针免疫后第28～35天为抗体产生的高峰期,使50％小鼠HI达到40的HA有效剂量为1．5μg,为建立以季节性流感疫苗为参考的免疫保护评价体系奠定了基础。     

双歧杆菌完整肽聚糖对重组乙肝表面抗原的佐剂效应

目的 探讨双歧杆菌完整肽聚糖对重组乙肝表面抗原的吸附作用及其佐剂效应。方法 从双歧杆菌细胞壁提取完整肽聚糖，以不同方式与重组乙肝表面抗原结合，检测其对重组乙肝表面抗原的吸附作用；制备免疫原接种BALB／c小鼠，观察小鼠免疫后状态和生长情况，检测小鼠血清特异性抗体应答情况的变化。结果 在磷酸盐缓冲液中，完整肽聚糖对重组乙肝表面抗原的吸附呈剂量依赖性，作为佐剂免疫小鼠后无毒副反应出现，小鼠血清抗体阳性率和抗体滴度明显提高，IgC2a/IgG1增大。结论 双歧杆菌完整肽聚糖能够吸附重组乙肝表面抗原，增强机体相应的体液免疫应答和细胞免疫应答，具备良好的免疫佐剂效应。     

Rapid immunity to vaccination with woodchuck hepatitis virus surface antigen using cationic liposome–DNA complexes as adjuvant

Complexes of cationic liposomes and non‐coding DNA (CLDC) have shown promise as vaccine adjuvant. Using the woodchuck animal model of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the immunogenic effects of CLDC were evaluated following vaccination with three doses of woodchuck hepatitis virus surface antigen (WHsAg) adjuvanted with either CLDC or conventional alum and administered intramuscularly (im) or subcutaneously (sc). IM vaccination with WHsAg and CLDC elicited antibodies earlier, in more woodchucks, and with higher titers than WHsAg and alum. After two vaccine doses, antibody titers were higher following im than sc administration. Woodchucks administered two vaccine doses sc received the third vaccine dose im, and antibody responses reached titers comparable to those elicited by im administration. Following the second vaccine dose, im vaccination with WHsAg and CLDC induced T cell responses to WHsAg and selected WHs peptides and expression of the leukocyte surface marker CD8 and of the Th1 cytokines interferon‐gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha in woodchucks. T cell responses and CD8/cytokine expression were diminished in woodchucks from the other groups suggesting that this vaccine regimen induced a skew toward Th1 immune responses. The present study in woodchucks demonstrates that CLDC‐adjuvanted WHsAg vaccine administered im resulted in a more rapid induction of humoral and cellular immune responses compared to conventional, alum‐adjuvanted WHsAg vaccine. While less rapid, the immune responses following sc administration can prime the im immune responses. This adjuvant activity of CLDC over alum may be beneficial for therapeutic vaccination in chronic HBV infection. J. Med. Virol. 81:1760–1772, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

乙型肝炎病毒多表位抗原DNA疫苗的免疫原性

目的 :探讨HBV复合多表位DNA疫苗诱导体液及细胞免疫的可行性。方法 :将HBV多表位抗原基因BPT克隆到真核表达载体pcDNA3.1中 ,构建重组真核表达载体pcDNA3.1/BPT。将其通过肌肉注射免疫BALB/c小鼠 ,用间接免疫ELISA法、CTL杀伤功能检测和淋巴细胞增殖试验 ,检测特异性体液免疫和细胞免疫的水平 ,并观察其对免疫小鼠的毒副作用。结果 :用重组质粒pcDNA3.1/BPT免疫BALB/c小鼠后 ,在效靶比为 10 0∶1时 ,可诱导显著地特异性CTL应答 (P <0 .0 5 )。ELISA检测免疫小鼠血清特异性IgG的水平明显升高 (P <0 .0 5 )。在BPT基因原核表达蛋白的刺激下 ,免疫小鼠脾淋巴细胞增殖显著 (P <0 .0 5 )。RT PCR分析表明 ,IL 12mRNA的水平亦明显升高。结论 :HBV多表位基因疫苗可诱发特异性免疫应答 ,为预防、治疗性HBV疫苗的研制提供了一定的实验依据     

Archaeosome vaccine adjuvants induce strong humoral, cell-mediated, and memory responses: comparison to conventional liposomes and alum

Ether glycerolipids extracted from various archaeobacteria were formulated into liposomes (archaeosomes) possessing strong adjuvant properties. Mice of varying genetic backgrounds, immunized by different parenteral routes with bovine serum albumin (BSA) entrapped in archaeosomes ( approximately 200-nm vesicles), demonstrated markedly enhanced serum anti-BSA antibody titers. These titers were often comparable to those achieved with Freund's adjuvant and considerably more than those with alum or conventional liposomes (phosphatidylcholine-phosphatidylglycerol-cholesterol, 1. 8:0.2:1.5 molar ratio). Furthermore, antigen-specific immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1), IgG2a, and IgG2b isotype antibodies were all induced. Association of BSA with the lipid vesicles was required for induction of a strong response, and >80% of the protein was internalized within most archaeosome types, suggesting efficient release of antigen in vivo. Encapsulation of ovalbumin and hen egg lysozyme within archaeosomes showed similar immune responses. Antigen-archaeosome immunizations also induced a strong cell-mediated immune response: antigen-dependent proliferation and substantial production of cytokines gamma interferon (Th1) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) (Th2) by spleen cells in vitro. In contrast, conventional liposomes induced little cell-mediated immunity, whereas alum stimulated only an IL-4 response. In contrast to alum and Freund's adjuvant, archaeosomes composed of Thermoplasma acidophilum lipids evoked a dramatic memory antibody response to the encapsulated protein (at approximately 300 days) after only two initial immunizations (days 0 and 14). This correlated with increased antigen-specific cell cycling of CD4(+) T cells: increase in synthetic (S) and mitotic (G(2)/M) and decrease in resting (G(1)) phases. Thus, archaeosomes may be potent vaccine carriers capable of facilitating strong primary and memory humoral, and cell-mediated immune responses to the entrapped antigen.     

IL-18基因佐剂协同HSV-1 gB DNA疫苗免疫诱导的特异性免疫应答

目的研究IL-18 cDNA协同单纯疱疹病毒Ⅰ型（HSV-1）糖蛋白B（gB）核酸疫苗免疫对机体体液免疫和细胞免疫应答的影响。方法利用pcDNA3载体分别构建HSV-1gB和IL-18的真核表达质粒pgB和pIL-18,分pcDNA3、pgB和pgB＋pIL-18三组,肌肉注射免疫接种BALB/c小鼠3次,每次间隔2周,每次接种质粒100μg,第3次免疫后2周,用ELISA检测特异性抗体滴度;利用^3H-TdR掺入法进行T细胞特异性抗原刺激实验;耳廓肿胀实验检测迟发型超敏（DTH）反应。结果与pgB单独免疫组相比,pIL-18的协同免疫可以显著增强ELISA特异性抗体滴度、T细胞增殖反应和DTH反应。结论IL-18cD-NA的协同免疫可以显著提高pgBDNA疫苗诱导的体液免疫和细胞免疫水平,增强核酸疫苗对机体的免疫保护作用。     

Immunogenicity of a monovalent, aluminum-adjuvanted influenza whole virus vaccine for pandemic use

In the case of an influenza pandemic a significant gap between influenza vaccine manufacturing capacities and vaccine demands must be expected on a global scale. This study explores the possibility to increase the number of vaccine doses that can be provided with the existing resources by using a lower amount of antigen per dose in an aluminum-adjuvanted whole virus vaccine formulation, instead of the standard dosage of 15 microg hemagglutinin (HA). The study was performed as an open, non-controlled, randomized, multicentric study in 200 volunteers (18-30 years of age). Three monovalent aluminum-adjuvanted whole virus formulations with different antigen concentrations (1.9, 3.75 and 7.5 microg HA per dose) were compared to a split virus vaccine (15 microg HA per dose) without aluminum adjuvantation. The sera were tested for hemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibodies, neuraminidase inhibition (NI) antibodies and virus neutralizing (VN) antibodies. Nasal swab samples were tested for influenza-specific IgA antibodies. All volunteers were immunologically na?ve to the vaccine strain influenza A/Singapore/1/57 (H2N2). The vaccine was well tolerated. HI titers reached protective levels (geometric mean titer (GMT) >1:40) after two vaccine doses. In the group immunized with the lowest antigen dose the seroprotection rate was 82%. Although the immune response tends to be lower for vaccine formulations with reduced antigen content, the immunogenicity criteria as defined by the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products (EMEA) were met with all antigen formulations after two vaccine doses. Significant increases in HI, NI and VN titers were observed, however, no significant local immune response was detected. The use of a low-dose whole virus influenza vaccine, adjuvanted with aluminum appears to be a viable approach to increase vaccine supplies in a pandemic situation.     

嵌合人偏肺病毒(hMPV)表位的重组流感病毒免疫保护效果

目的评价重组嵌合表达人偏肺病毒(hMPV)表位的流感病毒的免疫应答及免疫保护效果。方法用8质粒系统拯救出的在NS基因中嵌合hMPV表位的重组流感病毒免疫BALB/c小鼠,检测其刺激机体产生的针对hMPV和流感病毒的抗体滴度,及脾细胞分泌细胞因子含量。免疫后小鼠用hMPV和流感病毒进行攻击,对攻击后小鼠肺组织和鼻甲骨中病毒含量采用数字PCR方法进行测定,同时对肺组织进行HE染色,评价其对肺部损伤的保护作用。结果重组流感病毒株rFLU/hMPV/B(嵌入了hMPV的B细胞表位)免疫小鼠后,产生了针对hMPV和流感病毒的特异性抗体。rFLU/hMPV/CTL+Th(嵌入了CTL表位/Th细胞表位)免疫小鼠后,产生了针对流感病毒的特异性抗体及hMPV特异的细胞毒性T淋巴细胞反应(IFN-γ分泌增多)。rFLU/hMPV/B和rFLU/hMPV/CTL+Th引起了平衡的Th1/Th2免疫应答。用hMPV和流感病毒攻击重组病毒免疫后小鼠,肺组织病理HE染色结果显示重组病毒免疫后小鼠肺病变明显减轻,肺组织和鼻甲骨中hMPV和流感病毒含量也明显减少。结论重组的2株嵌合有hMPV B细胞表位和CTL表位/Th细胞表位的重组流感病毒株,可刺激机体产生针对hMPV和/或流感病毒体液免疫应答,嵌合有hMPV CTL表位/Th细胞表位的重组流感病毒株还可刺激机体产生hMPV特异性的细胞免疫应答,对hMPV和流感病毒攻击也有一定保护作用,该重组病毒株有潜在疫苗应用价值。     

重组质粒pcDNA3.1IL-2/Fc对HBV preS2S DNA疫苗免疫作用的影响

目的 探讨IL-2/Fc融合表达后对HBVpreS2S基因疫苗诱导免疫反应的佐剂效应.方法 采用HBV preS2S DNA疫苗作为基础免疫,重组质粒pcDNA3.1IL-2/Fc作为佐剂加强免疫BALB/c小鼠,采用0、2、4周的方案接种,检测各次接种后抗体水平.初次免疫后7周,测定免疫脾细胞的杀伤活性、增殖活性和细胞因子的分泌水平.结果 pcDNA3.1IL-2/Fc作为佐剂在HBV preS2S注射3 d后免疫组小鼠抗体滴度、免疫脾细胞的杀伤活性和增殖活性、TH1型细胞因子的分泌水平,均比各对照组明显增强.结论 IL-2/Fc是有效的HBV preS2S DNA疫苗佐剂之一.     

Serial re-challenge with influenza vaccine as a tool to study individual immune responses

With new treatments of inflammatory diseases targeting key inflammatory pathways follows an increased risk for infections. The aim of the present study was to identify an immunological readout where consecutive immunizations induce reproducible immune responses. Such a method could be used as a tool to assess drug-induced immunomodulation in individual patients by comparing responses to the immunizations before and after introduction of a specific treatment. Importantly, the vaccine is merely used as a model antigen and protective immunity is not the primary aim of the method. Eleven volunteers were immunized with influenza vaccine three times, four weeks apart. In order to find the optimal readout for the method, immune responses to the immunizations were measured as circulating antigen-specific B-cells, serum antibody titers and avidity, T-cell proliferation and cytokine secretion. The first exposure to the influenza vaccine induced a stronger B- and T-cell responses than the consecutive immunizations. The second and third immunizations induced comparable but lower B-cell responses as measured by ELISPOT. In summary, we have measured immune responsiveness by using repeated immunizations with influenza virus vaccine as the model antigen. The induction of comparable B-cell responses after the second and third serial immunizations provides a possibility to investigate effects on immune responsiveness by immunomodulatory drugs. The method also allows humoral memory and immune competence per se to be studied on a cellular level in different patient groups.     

Applied biotechnology for production of immunoglobulin Y specific to hepatitis A virus

A new protocol for producing polyclonal antibody against hepatitis A virus (HAV) is described. Twenty hens were immunized three times with a commercial HAV vaccine and HAV from a cell culture with three types of adjuvants: CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODN), incomplete Freund's adjuvant and an alum adjuvant. In each of the last two booster inoculations, blood from the birds was collected and tested for HAV antibodies. Egg yolk was separated from egg white and immunoglobulin Y (IgY) antibody was then purified by polyethylene glycol 6000. The mean yield of total protein in yolk was 22.62 mg/mL. Specific activity of the antibody was tested using commercial ELISA, Western blotting, and in vitro neutralization assay demonstrating that anti-HAV IgY bound specifically. After the first immunization, birds immunized with HAV from cell culture plus incomplete Freund's adjuvant with/without CpG-ODN showed highest levels of anti-HAV IgY in serum (p < 0.05). Viral combination with CpG-ODN resulted in early response of anti-HAV serum in hens, reflecting the amount of IgY transferred to the egg yolk (p < 0.05). The results suggest that egg yolk may be a large scale source of specific antibodies against hepatitis A virus. Further applications of this method have yet to be tested.