Immunization with a gene encoding granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor inserted with a single helper T-cell epitope of an intracellular bacterium induces a specific T-cell subset and protective immunity

Vaccine. 2006 May 22;24(21):4548-53. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2005.08.072. Epub 2005 Sep 6.

Abstract

We evaluated here the effect of immunization with a gene encoding granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) inserted with a helper T cell (Th) epitope, listeriolysin O (LLO) 215-226 derived from Listeria monocytogenes on induction of a specific Th by gene gun bombardment. Immunization of C3H/He mice with pGM215m plasmid encoding murine GM-CSF inserted with LLO 215-226 Th epitope gave the epitope-specific proliferative responses of CD4(+) T lymphocytes. In addition, specific interferon-gamma production from the splenocytes was observed. Concomitantly, pGM215m-immunized mice showed significant protective immunity against lethal listerial challenge. These results suggest that immunization of a gene for GM-CSF inserted with a Th epitope is useful for eliciting a specific Th subset in vivo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • DNA Primers
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Epitopes / immunology*
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / administration & dosage*
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / genetics
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Listeria monocytogenes / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C3H
  • Plasmids
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology*

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Epitopes
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor