颗粒性HBV多CTL表位基因诱导BALB/c小鼠的免疫应答研究

目的：研究含HBV多CTL表位的杂合HBc基因免疫BALB/c小鼠所诱导的免疫应答.方法：构建以HBV多CTL表位取代MIR区基因的杂合HBc基因疫苗（pHBcMep）并以肌肉注射方式免疫BALB/c小鼠,ELISA、流式细胞术、LDH释放法等分别检测血清特异性抗体与淋巴细胞分泌的IFN-γ水平、CD4^＋/CD8^＋T细胞比例变化及特异性CTLs活性等免疫应答指标.结果：颗粒性杂合HBc基因疫苗pHBcMep免疫BALB/c小鼠诱导明显抗体应答,末次免疫后2周,特异性抗preS2抗体阳性率达100%（12/12）,最高效价1∶1 000,同时诱导淋巴细胞分泌IFN-γ能力增强和刺激CTLs活化,其杀伤活性达16 IU30,CD4^＋/CD8^＋T细胞比例明显升高,且诱导明显回忆反应.结论：颗粒性HBV多CTL表位基因疫苗pHBcMep具有良好免疫原性,能迅速诱导高活性体液和细胞免疫应答及回忆反应.     

rAd5和rAAV2/1载体疫苗诱导载体特异性和外源基因特异性免疫反应的研究

目的 在小鼠体内比较携带相同外源基因的rAd5和rAAV2/1载体疫苗诱导的载体特异性和外源基因特异性免疫应答的差异.方法 分别用携带HIV-1 gag基因的rAd5和rAAV2/1疫苗免疫BALB/c小鼠,在免疫后不同时间点用Elispot方法和ELISA方法检测小鼠体内的rAd5或rAAV2/1载体特异性及HIV-1 gag特异性细胞免疫反应和抗体反应.结果 rAd5-gag能够诱导较强的gag特异性细胞免疫反应,显著高于针对Ad5载体的细胞免疫反应;而rAAV2/1 -gag诱导的gag特异性及AAV2/1载体特异性细胞免疫反应水平都较低.rAd5-gag诱导的P24特异性和Ad5特异性IgG抗体水平都较高,并且二者相当;与rAd5-gag相比rAAV2/1 -gag可诱导更高水平的P24 IgG抗体,而且rAAV2/1 -gag诱导的P24 igG高于AAV2/1载体特异性IgG水平.结论 rAd5载体可诱导强的外源基因特异性细胞免疫和抗体反应,针对载体的细胞免疫反应较弱而抗体反应较强;rAAV2/1载体可诱导强的外源基因特异性抗体反应,明显高于针对载体的抗体反应,外源基因特异性和载体特异性细胞免疫反应水平都很低.     

含有H5N1 NA基因重组腺病毒疫苗在小鼠体内的免疫效果研究

目的 考察含有禽流感病毒A/Anhui/1/2005(H5N1)优化型NA基因的重组腺病毒在BALB/c小鼠体内的免疫效果,并筛选合适的免疫剂量.方法 重组病毒以肌内注射方式在第0周和第4周免疫BALB/c小鼠两次,低、中、高组的免疫剂量分别是10~5、10~7和10~9 TCID_(50)/次,第5周时分别使用神经氨酸酶活性抑制试验和EHSpot实验来检测和比较疫苗的体液和细胞免疫效果.结果 重组病毒免疫后的小鼠均可检测出针对NA抗原的特异性体液和细胞免疫反应,并且免疫效果与免疫剂量呈正相关,10~7 TCID_(50)/只/次是合适的免疫剂量.另外,从包含NA全长氨基酸残基的合成肽库中筛选到两个能够刺激BALB/c小鼠T淋巴细胞分泌IFN-γ的表位,即NA_(109-124):CRTFFLTQGALLNDKH和NA_(182-199):AVAVLKYNGIITIKSW.结论 含有优化型NA基因的重组腺病毒疫苗能够诱导BALB/c小鼠同时产生NA抗原特异性的体液和细胞免疫反应,是较好的H5N1流感病毒候选疫苗株,值得进一步深入研究.     

弓形虫多表位DNA疫苗的构建及其免疫保护作用

目的:构建弓形虫多表位DNA疫苗并研究其免疫保护效果.方法:将编码含弓形虫多个T、B细胞表位的6段弓形虫多肽基因,以5个甘氨酸编码基因相间隔相连接,克隆入真核表达质粒pcDNA3.1( )中,构建成多表位弓形虫DNA疫苗.免疫BALB/c小鼠,测定其诱导的特异性抗体水平及T淋巴细胞增殖状况,同时进行弓形虫攻击感染保护实验.结果:成功构建了包含多个弓形虫表位的真核表达质粒pcDNA3.1/T-ME,以其作为DNA疫苗免疫小鼠,可诱导机体产生弓形虫特异性的体液及细胞免疫应答,产生有效的抗弓形虫保护性免疫应答.结论:构建的弓形虫多表位DNA疫苗能诱导机体产生有效的保护性免疫应答,在控制弓形虫感染上具有可行性.     

表达HIV-1 B亚型env基因的质粒DNA及腺病毒载体疫苗的免疫原性研究

目的 构建表达中国B亚型HIV-1流行株env基因的DNA及重组腺病毒载体疫苗,将其用于预防或治疗HIV感染.方法 构建质粒DNA疫苗pVR-gp160及重组腺病毒载体疫苗rAdV-gp160.将这两种疫苗以不同的方式免疫BALB/c小鼠,分别采用ELISPOT方法 和ELISA方法 检测免疫小鼠中HIV-1 Gp120特异性细胞免疫反应及抗体反应.结果 DNA疫苗单独免疫及DNA疫苗初免/腺病毒疫苗加强免疫的联合免疫方案皆可诱导较高水平的Gp120特异性细胞免疫反应;而在体液免疫方面,各实验组产生的Gp120特异性抗体水平都较低.结论 所构建的DNA疫苗及rAdV疫苗能有效表达Gp160蛋白,并可有效激活机体的细胞免疫反应.     

IL-12和IL-18基因免疫对HBcAg核酸疫苗诱导小鼠(H-2d)特异性免疫应答的影响

目的：观察IL-12和IL-18基因免疫对HBcAg核酸疫苗诱导小鼠（H-2d）特异性体液免疫和细胞免疫应答的影响.方法：用肌肉注射法将HBV核心区DNA疫苗、IL-12质粒和IL-18 质粒接种BALB/c小鼠;ELISA法检测小鼠血清抗-HBc（IgG）及IgG亚类（IgG1、IgG2a）;LDH释放法检测小鼠脾细胞HBcAg特异性CTL活性.结果：免疫6周后,HBcAg DNA疫苗联合IL-12质粒、IL-18质粒和IL-12＋IL-18质粒组小鼠的血清抗HBc终点滴度均明显高于单纯注射HBcAg DNA疫苗组小鼠（P＜0.05）,抗HBc IgG亚类以IgG2a占优.DNA疫苗免疫的各组小鼠,HBcAg特异性细胞毒性T淋巴细胞杀伤率均高于对照组（P组）,其中C＋IL-18组和C＋IL-12＋IL-18组中CTL值明显高于C组,尤以C＋IL-12＋IL-18组中的CTL杀伤率最高.结论：IL-12和IL-18基因与HBcAg DNA疫苗联合免疫,不仅能增强HBcAg特异性体液免疫应答,而且能增强HBcAg特异性CTL的杀伤活性.     

rAd5和rAAV2／1载体疫苗诱导载体特异性和外源基因特异性免疫反应的研究

目的 在小鼠体内比较携带相同外源基因的rAd5和rAAV2/1载体疫苗诱导的载体特异性和外源基因特异性免疫应答的差异.方法 分别用携带HIV-1 gag基因的rAd5和rAAV2/1疫苗免疫BALB/c小鼠,在免疫后不同时间点用Elispot方法和ELISA方法检测小鼠体内的rAd5或rAAV2/1载体特异性及HIV-1 gag特异性细胞免疫反应和抗体反应.结果 rAd5-gag能够诱导较强的gag特异性细胞免疫反应,显著高于针对Ad5载体的细胞免疫反应;而rAAV2/1 -gag诱导的gag特异性及AAV2/1载体特异性细胞免疫反应水平都较低.rAd5-gag诱导的P24特异性和Ad5特异性IgG抗体水平都较高,并且二者相当;与rAd5-gag相比rAAV2/1 -gag可诱导更高水平的P24 IgG抗体,而且rAAV2/1 -gag诱导的P24 igG高于AAV2/1载体特异性IgG水平.结论 rAd5载体可诱导强的外源基因特异性细胞免疫和抗体反应,针对载体的细胞免疫反应较弱而抗体反应较强;rAAV2/1载体可诱导强的外源基因特异性抗体反应,明显高于针对载体的抗体反应,外源基因特异性和载体特异性细胞免疫反应水平都很低.     

HCV核心-包膜E2抗原融合基因DNA疫苗的构建及对小鼠的免疫应答试验

目的：观察一种结构新颖的HCV融合抗原DNA疫苗在BALB/c小鼠的免疫效果，探讨其用于防治丙型肝炎的可行性。方法：用重叠延伸PCR拼接编码小鼠IgG kappa链信号肽和通用型辅助性T细胞表位PADRE的DNA片段，PCR分别扩增HCV核心抗原基因和包膜E2抗原基因，将3段基因插入真核表达载体pcDNA3.1，构成重组表达质粒pST-CE2t，转染COS7细胞，免疫组化检测HCV抗原的表达。将pST-CE2t和HCV核心抗DNA疫苗pcDNA3.1core分别肌肉注射接种BALB/c小鼠，检测小鼠的血清抗体、T细胞增殖和CTL反应。结果：pST-CE2t可在COS7细胞内表达HCV核心抗原和E2抗原，接种于BALB/c小鼠能有效诱导体液和细胞免疫应答，其中抗HCV核心抗原免疫应答的强度明显超过pcDNA3.1core，且更趋向于TH1型免疫应答。结论：pST-CE2t对于丙型肝炎的防治有潜在的应用价值。     

人精子特异性乳酸脱氢酶DNA疫苗的构建及免疫效果的初步研究

目的:构建人精子特异性乳酸脱氢酶DNA疫苗,并免疫雌雄两性BALB/c小鼠,以观察特异性抗体的产生。方法:采用分子克隆的方法构建pVAX1-hLDHC DNA疫苗。双酶切及正反向测序对该DNA疫苗进行鉴定。肌肉注射方法免疫雌雄两性BALB/c小鼠,ELISA和Western blot方法检测小鼠血清中的特异性抗体,常规病理学方法检测雄性实验小鼠的睾丸组织。结果:双酶切及正反向测序结果表明:插入片段的序列以及插入的位置和方向均正确。肌肉注射免疫BALB/c小鼠后可诱导明显的体液免疫反应,且在雄性实验小鼠中未观察到睾丸炎的发生。结论:成功构建了具有一定免疫效果的hLDHC DNA疫苗,为今后进行更深入的研究奠定了基础。     

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     

Enhanced cellular immune response elicited by a DNA vaccine fused with Ub against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

This study evaluated the immune response elicited by a Ub-fused Ag85A DNA vaccine against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. BALB/c mice were vaccinated with plasmid DNA encoding Ag85A protein, Ub-fused Ag85A DNA vaccine (UbGR-Ag85A) and negative DNA vaccines, respectively. Ag85A DNA vaccine immunization induced a Th(l)-polarized immune response. The production of Th(l)-type cytokine (IFN-γ) and proliferative T cell responses was enhanced significantly in mice immunized with UbGR-Ag85A fusion DNA vaccine, compared with non-fusion DNA vaccine. Moreover, this fusion DNA vaccine also resulted in an increased relative ratio of IgG(2a) to IgG(l) and the cytotoxicity of T cells. IFN-γ intracellular staining of splenocytes indicated that UbGR-Ag85A fusion DNA vaccine activated CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, particularly CD8(+) T cells. Thus, this study demonstrated that the UbGR-Ag85A fusion DNA vaccine inoculation could improve antigen-specific cellular immune responses, which is helpful for protection against TB infection.     

含密码子优化的SIV gag基因的DNA疫苗与rAd5疫苗构建及免疫原性评价

目的 构建含有SIVgag基因的DNA疫苗和重组腺病毒疫苗,为后期在SIV感染的猴模型中进行多载体疫苗联合免疫策略的治疗效果评价奠定基础.方法 将SIV gag基因按照哺乳动物偏嗜密码子进行优化并构建至pVR载体,作为DNA疫苗.以Western Blot方法比较优化前后gag基因表达水平.将优化后的gag基因插入重组腺病毒载体,构建rAd5-SIVgag疫苗.在BALB/c小鼠中分别比较DNA疫苗及rAd5-SIV.gag疫苗单独及联合免疫的效果.结果 密码子优化的SIVgag基因的表达水平远高于野生型SIVgag基因.重组腺病毒疫苗免疫一次或两次诱导的细胞免疫反水平分别高于DNA疫苗免疫一次或两次.两种疫苗联合免疫的反应水平与腺病毒疫苗免疫两次的水平相当,高于DNA疫苗单独免疫及腺病毒疫苗单独免疫一次的结果.结论 成功优化了SIV gag基因,使其不依赖Rev高水平表达;成功构建了表达优化后SIV gag基因的DNA疫苗和rAd5疫苗,可以在小鼠体内诱导较强的gag基因特异性CTL应答.     

壳聚糖介导增强幽门螺杆菌Lpp20 DNA疫苗黏膜免疫效果的研究

目的 探讨壳聚糖包裹DNA疫苗黏膜免疫效果.方法 采用复凝聚法制备载幽门螺杆菌脂蛋白 Lpp20基因的壳聚糖(CS)纳米粒(NPs),并对CS/DNA纳米粒的特质进行研究;用载基因壳聚糖纳米粒黏膜免疫(滴鼻和口服)小鼠,检测免疫小鼠的细胞和体液免疫水平.结果 裸质粒pcDNA3.1(+)/Lpp20与CS/DNA NPs通过黏膜免疫均能诱导小鼠产生有效的免疫应答.CS/DNANPs滴鼻和口服免疫组诱导的抗体明显升高,与裸质粒组相比有明显差异(P＜0.05),同时CS/DNANPs滴鼻和口服免疫组小鼠脾淋巴细胞经特异性抗原刺激后,刺激指数及培养上清中IFN-γ和IL-4含量明显高于裸质粒组、壳聚糖组和PBS组,且滴鼻免疫组高于口服组.结论 壳聚糖纳米粒能增强pcDNA3.1(+)/Lpp20核酸疫苗的黏膜免疫(滴鼻和口服免疫)效果;载Lpp20基因壳聚糖纳米粒滴鼻免疫比口服免疫能诱导更强的细胞和体液免疫应答.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the immune response of mucosal immunization of new chitosan(CS) nanoparticles coating DNA vaccine. Methods The chitosan nanoparticles containing plasmid DNA encoding H. pylori lipoprotein Lpp20 gene were prepared using a complex coacervation method and then its speciality were analyzed. We then administered the naked plasmid DNA and chitosan-DNA nanoparticles to 6-week-old female BALB/c mice by intranasal or oral mucosal routes to observe the humoral and cellular immune responses. Results Naked plasmid pcDNA3.1 ( + )/Lpp20 and chitosan-pcDNA3. 1 ( + )/Lpp20 nanoparticles both induced effective immune response in mice through mucosal vaccination. Specific IgG and sIgA antibodies of chitosan-pcDNA3. 1 ( + )/Lpp20 nanoparticles groups were higher than that of naked pcDNA3.1 ( + )/Lpp20 group. The concentration of cytokines IFN-γ and IL-4 in cultural supernatant of T lymphocytes from chitosan-pcDNA3. 1 ( + )/Lpp20 nanoparticles immunized mice increased greatly than that of control groups. After stimulated by corresponding antigen, the stimulation index of intranasal or oral delivery of chitosan-pcDNA3. 1 ( + )/Lpp20 nanoparticles group was significantly higher than that of pcDNA3.1( + )/Lpp20 group, CS group and PBS control group. Moreover, systemic and mucosal immune responses in mice induced by intranasal immunization were stronger than that of oral immunization. Conclusion Chitosan nanoparticles enhanced the immune response of pcDNA3.1 ( + )/Lpp20 DNA vaccine by intranasal or oral administration in BALB/c mice. Compared to oral administration, intranasal delivery of chitosan-pcDNA3.1 ( + )/Lpp20 DNA nanoparticles could induce stronger cellular and humoral immune responses in BALB/c mice.     

DNA vaccine expressing repeated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)(625-667) induces strong immunity in mice

The efficacy of immunization with DNA plasmids for single truncated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) peptide or triple repeated CEA peptides in mice was evaluated. A DNA fragment the truncated CEA gene (nucleotide 625-667) encoding two helper T lymphocyte (HTL) epitopes was amplified by PCR and cloned for generating recombinant plasmids for single CEA(625-667) (pcDNA-CEA(625-667)) or triple CEA(625-667) (pcDNA-triCEA(625-667)), respectively. Subsequently, groups of BALB/c female mice were intramuscularly injected with pcDNA-CEA(625-667,) pcDNA-triCEA(625-667) or control pcDNA3.0 vector, respectively. Ten days after the last immunization, the frequency of splenic CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in the mice was determined by flow cytometry. The antigen-specific proliferation of splenic T cells and cytokine production ex vivo were analyzed by (3)H-TdR uptake and cytokine ELISA, respectively. The levels of serum antibodies against CEA in the mice were detected by Western blot and ELISA. Although immunization with plasmid for the CEA(625-667) peptide(s) did not alter the frequency of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in mice, vaccination with plasmid for CEA peptide induced strong antigen-specific T cell proliferation, particularly for the plasmid encoding the triple-repeated CEA peptides, accompanied by significantly elevated levels of IFN-γ secreted by T cells from the mice immunized with triple-repeated peptides. Furthermore, immunization with the plasmid for CEA peptide stimulated higher levels of antigen-specific antibody responses in mice. Vaccination with the plasmid for the triple repeated CEA peptides induced stronger Th1 responses. Our findings may be useful for the development of effective DNA vaccine for the immunotherapy of cancer.     

Comparison of plasmid vaccine immunization schedules using intradermal in vivo electroporation

In vivo electroporation (EP) has proven to significantly increase plasmid transfection efficiency and to augment immune responses after immunization with plasmids. In this study, we attempted to establish an immunization protocol using intradermal (i.d.) EP. BALB/c mice were immunized with a plasmid encoding HIV-1 p37Gag, either i.d. with the Derma Vax EP device, intramuscularly (i.m.) without EP, or with combinations of both. A novel FluoroSpot assay was used to evaluate the vaccine-specific cellular immune responses. The study showed that i.d. EP immunizations induced stronger immune responses than i.m. immunizations using a larger amount of DNA and that repeated i.d. EP immunizations induced stronger immune responses than i.m. priming followed by i.d. EP boosting. Two and three i.d. EP immunizations induced immune responses of similar magnitude, and a short interval between immunizations was superior to a longer interval in terms of the magnitude of cellular immune responses. The FluoroSpot assay allowed for the quantification of vaccine-specific cells secreting either gamma interferon (IFN-γ), interleukin-2 (IL-2), or both, and the sensitivity of the assay was confirmed with IFN-γ and IL-2 enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISpot) assays. The data obtained in this study can aid in the design of vaccine protocols using i.d. EP, and the results emphasize the advantages of the FluoroSpot assay over traditional ELISpot assay and intracellular staining for the detection and quantification of bifunctional vaccine-specific immune responses.     

Plasmids enriched with CpG motifs activate human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro and enhance th-1 immune responses to hepatitis B surface antigen in mice

T helper-1 (Th-1)-type immune responses play an important role in viral clearance during infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Unmethylated CpG motifs present in bacterial DNA can activate toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) signals and act as potent adjuvants to induce Th-1-type immune responses. Here, a mini-plasmid with 812 base pairs in length was constructed and used as a vector to prepare a series of plasmids containing 3-21 copies of D-type CpG motifs. In vitro, these CpG-enriched plasmids strongly stimulated proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and enhanced secretion of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-12 (IL-12). The responses of the PBMCs from healthy individuals to the plasmids were stronger than those obtained from HBV-infected individuals. Contrary to the strong Th-2-biased response induced by surface antigen of hepatitis B virus (HBsAg) plus alum adjuvant, immunization of BALB/c mice with HBsAg plus these plasmids induced a strong Th-1-biased response. The plasmids increased the titers of HBsAg-specific total immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgG(2a). HBsAg-specific IL-2 and IFN-γ production and cytotoxic activity were also enhanced in the presence of the plasmids. The strength of the immune responses positively correlated with the number of CpG motifs in the plasmids. These results indicate that the use of CpG-enriched plasmids as an adjuvant to recombinant HBsAg could provide a promising and cost-effective approach for the development of efficacious therapeutic vaccines against HBV infection.     

Tolerizing DNA vaccines for autoimmune arthritis

Current therapies for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other autoimmune diseases non-specifically suppress immune function, and there is great need for fundamental approaches such as antigen-specific tolerizing therapy. In this paper we describe development of antigen-specific tolerizing DNA vaccines to treat collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice, and use of protein microarrays to monitor response to therapy and to identify potential additional autoimmune targets for next generation vaccines. We demonstrate that tolerizing DNA vaccines encoding type II collagen (CII) reduced the incidence and severity of CIA. Atorvastatin, a statin drug found to reduce the severity of autoimmunity, potentiated the effect of DNA vaccines encoding CII. Analysis of cytokines produced by collagen-reactive T cells derived from mice receiving tolerizing DNA encoding CII, as compared to control vaccines, revealed reduced production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and TNF-α. Arthritis microarray analysis demonstrated reduced spreading of autoantibody responses in mice treated with DNA encoding CII. The development of tolerizing DNA vaccines, and the use of antibody profiling to guide design of and to monitor therapeutic responses to such vaccines, represents a promising approach for the treatment of RA and other autoimmune diseases.     

Vaccination with a fusion DNA vaccine encoding hepatitis B surface antigen fused to the extracellular domain of CTLA4 enhances HBV-specific immune responses in mice: Implication of its potential use as a therapeutic vaccine

Fusion of specific antigens to extracellular domain of cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA4) represents a promising approach to increase the immunogenicity of DNA vaccines. We evaluated this interesting approach for its enhancement on HBV-specific immune responses and its antiviral effects in HBV transgenic mice. A fusion plasmid encoding the extracellular domain of CTLA4 linked with HBsAg was constructed. Mice were immunized by this fusion plasmid. Vaccination with the CTLA4-fused DNA not only induced much higher level of anti-HBs antibody, but also increased HBsAg-specific CD8+ response as well as CTL response in BALB/c mice. Furthermore, both Th1 and Th2 responses were augmented. In HBV transgenic mice, the levels of circulating HBsAg and HBV DNA replication were down-regulated by induction of higher anti-HBs antibody and HBsAg-specific CD8+ response after vaccination with the fusion plasmid. Thus, the CTLA4-fused DNA vaccine led to breakdown of immune tolerance to viral infection in HBV transgenic mice, which might be used as a therapeutic vaccine in HBV infection.     

Induction of Cell-Mediated Immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis Using DNA Vaccines Encoding Cytotoxic and Helper T-Cell Epitopes of the 38-Kilodalton Protein

Cell-mediated immune responses are crucial in the protection against tuberculosis. In this study, we constructed DNA vaccines encoding cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and T helper cell (Th) epitopes of the 38-kDa lipoglycoprotein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and analyzed and compared their immunogenicities with that of pXJ38, a DNA vaccine encoding the entire 38-kDa protein (X. Zhu, N. Venkataprasad, H. S. Thangaraj, M. Hill, M. Singh, J. Ivanyi, and H. M. Vordermeier, J. Immunol. 158:5921-5926, 1997). Plasmid DNAs encoding a CTL epitope, P3 (pP3), a Th epitope (vTh), or both the Th and the P3 epitopes (pThP3) were prepared and tested in C57BL6/J (H-2(b)) mice. Our results confirmed that DNA immunization with pXJ38 induces strong CD8(+) CTL and Th1 responses (high gamma interferon [IFN-gamma], low interleukin-4 [IL-4]). Coadministration of plasmid DNAs encoding a Th epitope with those encoding a CTL epitope (vTh+pP3) elicited both antigen-specific CD8(+) CTL and Th1 responses. High levels of IFN-gamma were secreted by spleen cells from all plasmid DNA-vaccinated mice after in vitro stimulation with the recombinant 38-kDa protein. Small or undetectable amounts of IL-4 were observed, which indicates the induction of a Th1-like response. Multiple-epitope vaccination by vTh+pP3 or pThP3 resulted in a broader Th1 response to peptide or epitopes than the single-epitope plasmid DNAs. Antigen-specific immunoglobulin G2a was only detected in sera from mice immunized with the plasmid pXJ38, and not in mice immunized with the epitope-based DNA vaccines. Thus, the absence of an antibody response after immunization with epitope plasmid DNAs and their ability to trigger only a specific cellular immune response may prove to be important advantages for a vaccine against tuberculosis.     

Endogenous interleukin-4 downregulates the type 1 CD4 T cell-mediated immune response induced by intramuscular DNA immunization.

Intramuscular (i.m.) administration of eukaryotic plasmid vectors containing foreign genes is a general immunization strategy capable of inducing protective type 1 immune responses against viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections. We have described that immunization with a plasmid containing a gene encoding a parasite antigen elicits specific type 1 protective immune responses against experimental infection with the human protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. However, we had evidence suggesting that DNA immunization concomitantly activated specific type 2 immune responses. To determine precisely the influence of the type 2 cytokine interleukin-4 (IL-4) during DNA immunization, we compared the immune responses of genetically modified IL-4-deficient or wild-type (wt) BALB/c mice. IL-4-deficient mice had a significantly lower ratio of specific serum IgG1/IgG2a, and on in vitro restimulation with antigen, their spleen cells secreted significantly higher amounts of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). In contrast, absence of IL-4 did not affect total serum antibody response, T cell proliferative responses, or activation of IFN-gamma-producing CD8(+) T cells. Our results suggested that in contrast to conventional adjuvants, such as alum and complete Freund's adjuvant, specific IgG1 in DNA-immunized BALB/c mice was highly dependent on IL-4. To our knowledge, our study provides the first evidence that endogenous IL-4 selectively downregulates the type 1 CD4(+) T cell-mediated immune response induced by i.m. genetic immunization, a fact that may have implications for the design of certain DNA vaccines.