CpG寡脱氧核苷酸增强免疫抑制小鼠对乙肝疫苗的免疫应答

目的 :探讨CpG寡脱氧核苷酸 (ODN)增强免疫抑制小鼠对乙肝疫苗的免疫应答效果。方法 :选用环磷酰胺 (CTX)所致免疫抑制模型小鼠 ,以乙肝疫苗和 2 0 μgCpGODN联合或单独左胫前肌肌注免疫C5 7BL/6小鼠。 2wk后以同样剂量加强免疫 1次 ,再过 3wk后摘除眼球取血 ,用ELISA法检测抗 HBsIgG抗体和IL 12的水平。同时 ,无菌取脾脏做HE染色 ,观察脾脏淋巴细胞的数量和细胞核的变化。结果 :CpGODN与疫苗联合注射组产生的绝对抗体量比单独注射疫苗组提高 1倍 ;注射组产生IL 12的水平较单独注射疫苗组也有明显升高。光镜下各组脾脏淋巴细胞的变化如下 :正常对照组脾脏可见大量的淋巴细胞 ;与正常对照组相比较 ,CTX组的淋巴细胞明显稀少 ;而CTX加CpG组的淋巴细胞数明显增多 ,细胞核也明显增大。结论 :CpGODN能增强免疫抑制小鼠对乙肝疫苗的免疫应答     

新型CpG ODN增强乙肝疫苗诱导IgG2a类抗体产生的实验研究

目的：寻找能增强乙肝疫苗刺激IgG2a类抗体产生，使机体处于Th1样免疫环境的新型乙肝疫苗佐剂。方法：选用自行设计的A、B、C型CpGODN，并以发表的A、B型CpGODN作为阳性对照，与重组乙肝疫苗混合后于第0．4周免疫BALB／C小鼠，用ELISA法检测免疫小鼠血清中HBsAb水平及种类。结果：各型CpGODN都能增强乙肝疫苗刺激HBsAb的产生水平，CpGODN＋乙肝疫苗免疫的小鼠血清中HBsAb类型为IgG2a〉〉IgG1，而单独应用商品化重组乙型肝炎疫苗的小鼠血清中HBsAb类型为IgG1〉〉IgG2a。结论：各型CpGODN对重组乙型肝炎疫苗[含AI（OH）3佐剂]均具有增效作用，而且可以诱导机体产生倾向于Th1途径的免疫应答反应。     

Protection of BALB/c Mice against Brucella abortus 544 Challenge by Vaccination with Bacterioferritin or P39 Recombinant Proteins with CpG Oligodeoxynucleotides as Adjuvant

The P39 and the bacterioferrin (BFR) antigens of Brucella melitensis 16M were previously identified as T dominant antigens able to induce both delayed-type hypersensivity in sensitized guinea pigs and in vitro gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from infected cattle. Here, we analyzed the potential for these antigens to function as a subunitary vaccine against Brucella abortus infection in BALB/c mice, and we characterized the humoral and cellular immune responses induced. Mice were injected with each of the recombinant proteins alone or adjuvanted with either CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODN) or non-CpG ODN. Mice immunized with the recombinant antigens with CpG ODN were the only group demonstrating both significant IFN-gamma production and T-cell proliferation in response to either Brucella extract or to the respective antigen. The same conclusion holds true for the antibody response, which was only demonstrated in mice immunized with recombinant antigens mixed with CpG ODN. The antibody titers (both immunoglobulin G1 [IgG1] and IgG2a) induced by P39 immunization were higher than the titers induced by BFR (only IgG2a). Using a B. abortus 544 challenge, the level of protection was analyzed and compared to the protection conferred by one immunization with the vaccine strain B19. Immunization with P39 and CpG ODN gave a level of protection comparable to the one conferred by B19 at 4 weeks postchallenge, and the mice were still significantly protected at 8 weeks postchallenge, although to a lesser extent than the B19-vaccinated group. Intriguingly, no protection was detected after BFR vaccination. All other groups did not demonstrate any protection.     

The adjuvant effect of CpG oligodeoxynucleotide linked to the non-toxic B subunit of cholera toxin for induction of immunity against H. pylori in mice

The present study was carried out to test the immunostimulatory and adjuvant effects of the non-toxic B subunit of cholera toxin (CTB), CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) and CpG ODN linked to CTB (CTB–CpG) for generation of immunity against H. pylori in mice. Herein, we showed that CTB–CpG induces more potent proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine responses in the cervical and the mesenteric lymph nodes (CLN and MLN, respectively) cells in vitro compared with those of CTB and CpG ODN. The adjuvant effects of these agents were examined following intranasal immunization of C57Bl/6 mice with H. pylori lysate in combination with CpG ODN, CTB or CTB–CpG. All three immunization regimes resulted in high H. pylori -specific IgG antibody responses; however, only the CTB–CpG and, to some extent, the CpG ODN immunized mice mounted a sustainable IgG2c antibody response. Importantly, mice immunized with H. pylori antigen and CTB–CpG or CpG ODN, but not CTB, developed strong H. pylori -specific proliferative and IFN-γ responses in their MLN CD4⁺ T cells upon recall antigen stimulation in vitro . These mice also had significantly lower bacterial load compared with the control-infected mice. Furthermore, the CTB–CpG and the CpG ODN immunized mice developed increased specific IgA antibody responses in their gastrointestinal tracts following H. pylori challenge. These results imply that CTB–CpG and CpG ODN, but not CTB, could serve as nasal adjuvants for induction of a H. pylori -specific Th1 type immunity in MLN and also a specific mucosal IgA antibody response in the gastrointestinal tract upon H. pylori challenge.     

Immunogenicity and safety of liposome-vaccine encapsulating hepatitis B surface antigen and phosphodiester CpG oligodeoxynucleotides

CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODN) as adjuvant have been extensively studied in recent years. Phosphodiester CpG ODN (PO CpG ODN) can perfectly mimic bacterial DNA in enhancing immune response but are vulnerable to nucleases in vivo . This study aimed to evaluate the immunostimulatory potential and safety of phosphodiester CpG ODN encapsulated in nonphospholipid liposomes. BALB/c mice were immunized intramuscularly with different formulations of liposomes,CpG ODN and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The results demonstrated that the encapsulated PO CpG ODN were protected against rapid degradation in vivo and retained their adjuvant activity. PO CpG ODN encapsulated with HBsAg in liposomes induced strong Th1-biased or Th1/Th2 mixed humoral immune response in mice with the magnitude similar to their phosphothioate equivalent in the same formulation. High IFN-gamma production induced by this formulation confirmed the generation of strong cellular immune response. Additionally, co-delivery of HBsAg and PO CpG ODN improved the immune response over that obtained with separate delivery. Safety experiment showed that liposome-encapsulaed PO CpG ODN and HBsAg caused mild systemic and moderate local adverse reaction. In conclusion, our data shows that PO CpG ODN encapsulated in liposomes fully exhibit their Th1-type adjuvant activity and act as a potential adjuvant for vaccines.     

T helper 2 immunity to hepatitis B surface antigen primed by gene-gun-mediated DNA vaccination can be shifted towards T helper 1 immunity by codelivery of CpG motif-containing oligodeoxynucleotides

Gene-gun-mediated DNA immunization usually induces predominant T helper 2 (Th2) type immune response. As oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN)-containing unmethylated CpG motifs can activate the innate immune system in a Th1-biased way, the potential of codelivery of CpG motifs-containing ODN (CpG-ODN) with plasmid DNA to switch the gene-gun-mediated Th2 immune response was evaluated in this study. Here we show that codelivery of CpG-ODN with plasmid DNA at certain ratio (10/1) can enhance the Th1 humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in gene-gun-mediated DNA immunization in BALB/c mice, including increasing the hepatitis B surface antigen-specific total immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgG2a subclass, cytotoxic T-cell lymphocyte activity as well as interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) secretion. Taken together, these results demonstrate that codelivery of CpG-ODN with recombinant plasmid DNA by gene gun can shift the gene-gun-mediated DNA immune response from Th2 towards Th1.     

Co-administration of porcine-specific CpG oligodeoxynucleotide enhances the immune responses to pseudorabies attenuated virus vaccine in newborn piglets in vivo

Oligonucleotides containing CpG motifs (CpG ODN) are strong adjuvants for humoral and cellular immune responses in mice, but data on immune responses in piglets are scarce. In this report, porcine-specific CpG ODN were used as immunoadjuvants to enhance the immune responses of the newborn piglets to Pseudorabies attenuated virus (PRV) vaccine. The titres of specific antibodies and serum IgG1/IgG2 ratio to PRV vaccine, the proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), IL-4 and interferon-gamma(IFN-gamma) in piglets serum were examined to identify the immune response of the newborn piglets. The results showed that piglets immunized with PRV vaccine and CpG ODN presented high titers of PRV-specific antibodies and IgG2 isotype, a Th1-dominated (IFN-gamma) cytokine profile, together with inducing higher proliferation of PBMCs. All these data indicate that CpG ODN are potential effective adjuvants for the PRV vaccine in newborn piglets.     

In vivo effects of oligodeoxynucleotides containing synthetic immunostimulatory motifs in the immune response to swine streptococcic septicemia vaccine in weaned piglets

The diverse immunostimulatory effects of CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODN) have been demonstrated extensively in mice and human. Although the immunoadjuvant effects of CpG ODN in pigs were also studied in several reports, until now, little work has been carried out with regard to their effects on the adaptive immune system of newly weaned piglets. In this study, swine streptococcic septicemia killed vaccine (SSSK vaccine) was used as antigen, we assessed the in vivo immunostimulatory effects of different CpG motifs in newly weaned piglets. The proportion of CD4(+), CD8(+) T lymphocytes subpopulations and proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), IFN-gamma and IL-6 in serum, and the titre of IgG and IgG2/IgG1 isotype to SSSK vaccine in serum were tested at different time-points. The results suggested that, the CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio decreased significantly in weaned piglets inoculated with phosphate buffer saline (PBS) alone, however, it was stable in CpG ODN-coinoculated newly weaned piglets. IFN-gamma and IL-6 levels, the titres of specific antibodies IgG, IgG2 and proliferative responses of CpG ODN-coinjected piglets were all significantly higher than those of SSSK vaccine alone or PBS or GpC ODN-coinjected piglets. The porcine-specific ODN-induced responses were stronger in animals injected with human-specific or mouse-specific CpG ODN. These in vivo data demonstrate for the first time that CpG ODN can stimulate adaptive immune system in weaned piglets.     

Synergy between CpG- or non-CpG DNA and specific antigen for B cell activation

DNA or oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) containing unmethylated CpG motifs (CpG DNA) activate antigen-presenting cells and switch on T(h)1 immunity to antigen. B cells are synergistically activated by CpG DNA in combination with non-physiologic B cell stimulators such as polyclonal mitogen and surface Ig cross-linkers. This study shows the unexpected finding that not only CpG ODN, but also non-CpG and methylated ODN synergize with specific antigen, hen egg lysozyme (HEL), in stimulating HEL-specific B cells to proliferate, to express the early activation marker CD69 and to activate the NF-kappaB pathway. In vivo, non-CpG and methylated CpG ODN also enhanced anti-HEL antibody production in HEL-immunized mice, with a bias towards the production of T(h)1-associated isotypes. The synergy with all ODN to enhance B cell immune function was epitope-specific since neither denatured HEL nor other antigens enhanced the ODN effect on HEL-specific B cells. Furthermore, the synergy was independent of whether the ODN backbone was phosphorothioate or phosphodiester, or whether natural vertebrate genomic DNA was used. In all functional analyses, non-CpG and methylated CpG ODN showed lower activity than CpG ODN. These studies demonstrate that the presence of specific physiologic antigen might broaden the spectrum of DNA/ODN that stimulate B cells, with potential implications for the initiation and regulation of normal and pathologic immune responses.     

CpG oligodeoxynucleotides act as adjuvants for pneumococcal polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccines and enhance antipolysaccharide immunoglobulin G2a (IgG2a) and IgG3 antibodies

Pneumococcal polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccines elicit antipolysaccharide antibodies, but multiple doses are required to achieve protective antibody levels in children. In addition, the immunogenicity of experimental multivalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines varies with different polysaccharide serotypes. One strategy to improve these vaccines is to incorporate an adjuvant to enhance their immunogenicity. Synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides containing unmethylated CpG motifs (CpG ODN) are adjuvants that promote T-cell and T-dependent antibody responses to protein antigens, but it has been unclear whether CpG ODN can enhance polysaccharide-specific antibody responses. The present studies demonstrate significant adjuvant activity of CpG ODN for antibody responses against Streptococcus pneumoniae polysaccharide types 19F and 6B induced by conjugates of 19F and 6B with the protein carrier CRM(197). BALB/c ByJ mice were injected with 19F-CRM(197) or 6B-CRM(197) with or without CpG ODN, and sera were tested for anti-19F or anti-6B antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The polysaccharide-specific antibody response to 19F-CRM(197) alone was predominantly of the immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and IgM isotypes, but addition of CpG ODN markedly increased geometric mean titers of total anti-19F antibody (23-fold), anti-19F IgG2a (26-fold), and anti-19F IgG3 (>246-fold). The polysaccharide-specific antibody response to 6B-CRM(197) alone consisted only of IgM, but addition of CpG ODN induced high titers of anti-6B IgG1 (>78-fold increase), anti-6B IgG2a (>54-fold increase), and anti-6B IgG3 (>3,162-fold increase). CpG ODN also increased anti-CRM(197) IgG2a and IgG3. Adjuvant effects were not observed with control non-CpG ODN. Thus, CpG ODN significantly enhance antipolysaccharide IgG responses (especially IgG2a and IgG3) induced by these glycoconjugate vaccines.     

CpG ODN增强乙型肝炎表面抗原免疫小鼠的抗体产生

目的：探讨合成含CpG基序的寡核苷酸（CpG ODN)对重组乙型肝炎表面抗原（rHBsAg)及乙型肝炎疫苗增强小鼠特异性抗体产生的效应。方法：采用非纯系（Km)及纯系（Balb/c)小鼠作为免疫对象，经后腱胫骨前肌免疫2次，ELISA法检测血清乙型肝炎表面抗体（抗－HBs)效价。结果：加CpG ODN组，其抗-HBs效价均较单独注射rHBsAg和疫苗组明显增高，持续时间长，且纯系鼠的抗体效价明显高于非纯系鼠。结论：CpG ODN对小鼠抗－HBs产生具有增强作用，具与疫苗中的铝佐剂有协同效应。     

Anti-HBV effects of CpG oligodeoxynucleotide-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with chronic hepatitis B

Unmethylated CpG dinucleotides in bacterial DNA or synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides containing immunostimulatory CpG motifs (CpG ODN) are known as a potent Th1-like immune enhancer in vertebrates. Chronic hepatitis B is the immunocompromising condition. We therefore investigated the effects of CpG ODN on cultured cells from chronic hepatitis B patients and healthy controls. The inhibitory effects of CpG ODN on hepatitis B virus (HBV) were also studied. The secretion of IFN-alpha by CpG ODN-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from chronic hepatitis B patients and healthy controls was significantly increased when compared with PBMCs alone or GpC ODN-stimulated PBMCs. After activation with CpG ODN, the IFN-alpha secretion by chronically HBV-infected patient PBMCs is less than that by healthy control PBMCs. Treatment of HepG2 2.2.15 cells with culture supernatants of PBMCs activated by CpG ODN can significantly suppress the secretion of HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA as compared with that of PBMCs without CpG ODN activation under the same conditions. No inhibitory effect on the replication of HBV was found for CpG ODN treatment alone. Our results indicated that CpG ODN could efficiently enhance the immune response of chronic hepatitis B patients. Moreover, the CpG ODN-activated PBMCs from chronic hepatitis B patients were able to significantly inhibit HBV replication in vitro, suggesting that CpG ODN may be a potential immunoregulator against HBV infection in the future.     

Immunization against hepatitis B virus by mucosal administration of antigen-antibody complexes

Antigen-antibody complexes have been shown to enhance immune responses against several antigens given by parenteral immunization. Herein, we have evaluated the potential of administering such immunostimulatory complexes by a mucosal route. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) complexed with antibodies against HBsAg (anti-HBs) (HBsAg/Ab) was administered to BALB/c mice by intranasal inhalation. HBsAg by itself did not induce immune responses, whereas with HBsAg/Ab complexes, both systemic and mucosal immune responses were observed and these could be modulated by adjuvants. With HBsAg/Ab (1 or 10 microg), anti-HBs antibodies induced were predominantly of the IgG1 isotype (Th2-like). In contrast, anti-HBs induced by HBsAg/Ab plus cholera toxin (CT) or oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) containing immunostimulatory CpG motifs (CpG) (1 microg each) were predominantly IgG2a (Th1-like). Results from this study indicate that HBsAg/Ab complexes can induce strong humoral immune responses when delivered by a noninvasive route, whether used alone or in combination with other mucosal adjuvants.     

CpG ODN对rHBsAg免疫小鼠淋巴细胞增殖反应的影响

目的：进一步探讨以合成含CpG基序的寡核苷酸（CpG ODN）作为免疫增强剂与重组乙型肝炎表面抗原（rHBsAg）联合免疫小鼠,观察其淋巴细胞增殖反应效应.方法：经后腿胫骨前肌初次免疫BALB/c小鼠两周后加强免疫1次;MTT和3H-TdR掺入法分别检测免疫小鼠胸腺及脾脏淋巴细胞增殖反应.结果：加CpG ODN组与单纯注射抗原及疫苗组相比,淋巴细胞增殖反应显著增强.而且,除胸腺特异性增殖中的CpG加疫苗组和疫苗组外,其他各实验组与对照组相比,淋巴细胞增殖反应也都显著增强.结论：CpG ODN能够明显刺激小鼠胸腺及脾脏淋巴细胞增殖反应,显示出强而有效的免疫增强效应,有望成为一种新型的免疫佐剂.     

Coencapsulation of CpG oligodeoxynucleotides with recombinant Leishmania major stress-inducible protein 1 in liposome enhances immune response and protection against leishmaniasis in immunized BALB/c mice

CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODN) have been shown to have potent adjuvant activity for a wide range of antigens. The purpose of this study was to determine the potential benefit of using liposomes as a delivery vehicle to enhance the adjuvant activity of CpG ODN with Leishmania major stress-inducible protein 1 (LmSTI1) antigen in induction of the Th1 response in a murine model of leishmaniasis. BALB/c mice were immunized subcutaneously three times in 3-week intervals with liposomal recombinant LmSTI1 (Lip-rLmSTI1), rLmSTI1 coencapsulated with CpG ODN in a liposome (Lip-rLmSTI1-CpG ODN), rLmSTI1 plus CpG ODN in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), rLmSTI1 plus non-CpG ODN in PBS, rLmSTI1 in PBS, empty liposome, or PBS. The intensity of infection induced by L. major promastigote challenge was measured by footpad swelling. A significant (P < 0.001) inhibition of infection in mice immunized with Lip-rLmSTI1-CpG ODN was shown compared to the other groups, and no parasite was detected in the spleens of this group 14 weeks after challenge. The highest immunoglobulin G2a (IgG2a) titer and the highest IgG2a/IgG1 ratio were also shown in the sera of mice immunized with Lip-rLmSTI1-CpG ODN before and 14 weeks after challenge. The results indicated the superiority of CpG ODN in its liposomal form over its soluble form to induce the Th1 response when used in association with rLmSTI1 antigen. It seems that using a liposome delivery system carrying CpG ODN as an adjuvant coencapsulated with Leishmania antigen plays an important role in vaccine development strategies against leishmaniasis.     

CpG ODN对ZP~(121-140)表位合成肽诱导的免疫应答和免疫避孕效应影响

目的:探讨CpG ODN对透明带(四)抗原表位ZP~(121-140)合成肽诱导的免疫应答和免疫避孕效应影响.方法:应用人工合成ZP2~(121-140)表位肽,与20μg CpG ODN或等量完全弗氏佐剂(CFA)混悬后左胫前肌免疫雌性BALB/c小鼠,初次免疫后2、4、6周各加强免疫一次,共免疫四次.在每次加强免疫前和末次免疫后两周断尾取血,分离血清,分析特异性lgG抗体及非特异性细胞因子IFN-γ、TNF-Ⅱ,IL-10水平;收集小鼠阴道冲洗液,离心取上清,分析特异性IgA抗体水平.免疫小鼠生育实验结束后,取卵巢组织行病理学分析.结果:CpG ODN组诱导的特异性IgG和IgA水平较CFA组有增高趋势,但无显著性差异(P＞O.05).CpG ODN组诱导的非特异性IFN-γ和TNF-水平明显高于CFA组(P＜0.05);而CpG ODN组诱导的IL-10水平显著低于CFA 组(P＜0.05).两种佐剂对小鼠的受孕率影响没有显著性差异,但CpG ODN组孕鼠每胎产仔数明显低于CFA组(P＜O.05).病理学分析显示实验小鼠卵巢组织无病理性变化.结论:CpG ODN对Zp~(121-140)合成肽诱导的免疫应答和免疫避孕效应略优于CFA,更适合用于避孕疫苗佐剂研究.     

CpG oligodeoxynucleotide vaccination suppresses IgE induction but may fail to down-regulate ongoing IgE responses in mice

Antigen-specific IgE plays an important role in the pathogenesisof allergic disorders. Immunostimulatory CpG motifs (CpG) inbacterial DNA or synthesized oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) aregaining recognition as potential immunomodulators for switchingon protectiveT_h1-mediated immunity and preventing or potentiallyinhibiting T_h2-dependent allergic responses. To date, allergicmodels used in CpG ODN studies have been established by immunizationof mice with allergen in the presence of adjuvant. This, inaddition to failure to assess specific IgE production in mostof the studies, has limited understanding of the role of CpGODN vaccination in allergic responses. Here, we examine theeffects of synthesized CpG ODN on both developing and ongoingIgE responses in mice sensitized using a recombinant mosquitosalivary antigen (rAed a 2) without adjuvant. Pretreatment ofmice with CpG ODN mixed with rAed a 2 successfully inhibitedsubsequent induction of serum rAed a 2-specific IgE (but notIgG1) and antigen-induced IL-4 and IL-5 production in spleencells. This was associated with an increase of serum IgG2a andIL-12, and increased IFN- and IL-12 production by spleen cells.In this model, however, co-administration of CpG ODN with rAeda 2 to presensitized mice failed to down-regulate ongoing IgEresponses despite significant up-regulation of serum IL-12 andspecific IgG2a. Strikingly, a transient skin delayed-type hypersensitivityreaction occurred in CpG ODN-treated mice. These observationsprovide a new insight into the potential therapeutic applicationof CpG ODN to allergic disorders.     

CpG ODN对rHBsAg免疫小鼠脾细胞周期与凋亡的影响

目的：研究合成含CpG基序的寡脱氧核苷酸（CpGODN）对重组乙型肝炎表面抗原（rHBsAg）免疫小鼠脾淋巴细胞细胞周期及细胞凋亡的效应。方法：采用BALB／c小鼠作为免疫实验动物，经后腿胫骨前肌免疫两次，FACS法检测脾细胞的细胞周期与细胞凋亡。结果：FACS检测结果显示，加CpGODN各组与不加CpGODN相应组比较，脾细胞细胞周期明显由G0／G1期向S期转化；细胞凋亡则呈现降低趋势。结论：CpGODN可以有效刺激免疫小鼠脾淋巴细胞细胞周期由G0／G1期向S期转化，并且有抑制细胞凋亡的效应。     

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.     

Immunomodulation of Japanese encephalitis vaccine through CpG oligodeoxynucleotides in mice

Synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) containing unmethylated cytosine guanine (CpG) dinucleotides motifs act as immune adjuvant and provide means of modulation to immune responses when co-delivered with antigens. They stimulate both innate and adaptive immune responses and induce T helper 1 (Th1) immune responses. We investigated the immunomodulation of Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine using CpG ODN as an adjuvant. Mice were immunized with one dose of JE vaccine 0.1 ml with different concentrations (10, 25 and 100 microg) of CpG ODN. The serum antibody level and cytokines were evaluated and compared with mice immunized with two doses of JE vaccine alone. Our studies revealed that anti-JE antibody level in mice immunized with single dose of 0.1 ml JE vaccine and 100 microg CpG ODN were almost equal to mice immunized with two doses of JE vaccine alone. Furthermore, CpG ODN enhanced the production of TNF-alpha and Th1-mediated cytokines, including IFN-gamma and IL-2 compared with JE vaccine alone. In addition, absence of any significant changes in biochemical, haematological and histological studies suggest that CpG ODN are safe adjuvants for JE vaccine. Therefore, it is inferred that CpG ODN are effective and improve the efficacy of JE vaccine.