Replicase-based DNA vaccines for allergy treatment

Methods Mol Med. 2006:127:221-35. doi: 10.1385/1-59745-168-1:221.

Abstract

Replicase-based vaccines were introduced to overcome some of the deficiencies of conventional DNA- and RNA-based vaccines, including poor efficiency and low stability. At ultra-low doses, these alphavirus-derived vectors elicit cellular as well as humoral immune responses. Additionally, replicase-based vectors induce "self-removal" of the vaccine via apoptosis of transfected cells. This chapter describes the construction of a replicon-based DNA vaccine vector from commercially available plasmids. We present protocols for monitoring cellular immune responses following replicase-based immunization including measurement of allergen-specific proliferation of splenocytes, ELISPOT, a FACS-based cytokine secretion assay providing information about T-helper subsets, and a cytokine fluorescent bead immunoassay.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Apoptosis / immunology
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Flow Cytometry / methods
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • Genetic Vectors / immunology
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Hypersensitivity / therapy*
  • Immunoassay / methods
  • Mice
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / genetics
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / immunology*
  • Replicon / genetics
  • Replicon / immunology*
  • Sindbis Virus*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology
  • Vaccination
  • Vaccines, DNA / genetics
  • Vaccines, DNA / immunology*
  • Vaccines, DNA / pharmacology

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Vaccines, DNA
  • RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase