A combined DNA vaccine encoding BCSP31, SOD, and L7/L12 confers high protection against Brucella abortus 2308 by inducing specific CTL responses

DNA Cell Biol. 2007 Jun;26(6):435-43. doi: 10.1089/dna.2006.0552.

Abstract

We constructed a combined DNA vaccine comprising genes encoding the antigens BCSP31, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and L7/L12 and evaluated its immunogenicity and protective efficacy. Immunization of mice with the combined DNA vaccine offered high protection against Brucella abortus (B. abortus) infection. The vaccine induced a vigorous specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) response, with higher IgG2a than IgG1 titers. Cytokine profiling performed at the same time showed a biased Th1-type immune response with significantly increased interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha stimulation. CD8(+), but not CD4(+), T cells accumulated at significantly higher levels after administration of the vaccine. Granzyme B-producing CD8(+) T cells were significantly higher in number in samples prepared from combined DNA-vaccinated mice compared with S19-vaccinated mice, demonstrating that the cytotoxicity lysis pathway is involved in the response to Brucella infection. The success of our combined DNA vaccine in a mouse model suggests its potential efficacy against brucellosis infection in large animals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / biosynthesis
  • Antigens, Bacterial / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / immunology
  • Base Sequence
  • Brucella Vaccine / genetics*
  • Brucella Vaccine / pharmacology*
  • Brucella abortus / enzymology
  • Brucella abortus / genetics*
  • Brucella abortus / immunology*
  • Brucellosis / immunology*
  • Brucellosis / prevention & control*
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • Female
  • Genes, Bacterial
  • Immunoglobulin G / biosynthesis
  • Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Superoxide Dismutase / genetics
  • Superoxide Dismutase / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*
  • Vaccines, DNA / genetics*
  • Vaccines, DNA / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Brucella Vaccine
  • Cytokines
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Vaccines, DNA
  • Superoxide Dismutase