Abstract
To improve efficacy of DNA vaccination, various approaches have been developed, including the use of plasmid expressing co-stimulatory molecules as molecular adjuvants. In this study, we investigated whether co-inoculation of a construct expressing either 4-1BBL or OX40L as the molecular adjuvant with FMDV DNA vaccine, pcD-VP1, can increase immune responses and protective efficacies. Compared to the group immunized with pcD-VP1 alone, the co-inoculation of either molecular adjuvant induced a higher ratio of IgG2a/IgG1, higher levels of expression of IFN-gamma in CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells and antigen-specific CTL responses, and more importantly provided an enhanced protection against the live FMDV challenge in animals. Concurrently, 4-1BBL as the molecular adjuvant dramatically reduced the viral loads of FMDV in vivo after the challenge. Together, the results demonstrate that co-stimulatory molecules 4-1BBL and OX40L can enhance the antigen-specific cell-mediated responses elicited by VP1 DNA vaccine and provide an enhanced protective efficacy with the reduced viral loads.
MeSH terms
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4-1BB Ligand / administration & dosage*
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4-1BB Ligand / biosynthesis
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4-1BB Ligand / genetics
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Adjuvants, Immunologic / administration & dosage*
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Adjuvants, Immunologic / biosynthesis
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Adjuvants, Immunologic / genetics
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Animals
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Antibodies, Viral / blood
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
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CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
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Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic
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Female
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Foot-and-Mouth Disease / blood
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Foot-and-Mouth Disease / immunology*
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Foot-and-Mouth Disease / prevention & control*
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Foot-and-Mouth Disease / virology
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Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus / immunology*
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Guinea Pigs
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HeLa Cells
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Humans
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Immunoglobulin G / blood
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Injections, Intramuscular
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Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Neutralization Tests
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OX40 Ligand / administration & dosage*
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OX40 Ligand / biosynthesis
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OX40 Ligand / genetics
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Vaccination*
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Vaccines, DNA / administration & dosage
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Viral Load
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Viral Vaccines / administration & dosage*
Substances
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4-1BB Ligand
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Adjuvants, Immunologic
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Antibodies, Viral
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Immunoglobulin G
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OX40 Ligand
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Vaccines, DNA
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Viral Vaccines
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Interferon-gamma