Priming with a very low dose of DNA complexed with cationic block copolymers followed by protein boost elicits broad and long-lasting antigen-specific humoral and cellular responses in mice

Vaccine. 2009 Jul 16;27(33):4498-507. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.05.031. Epub 2009 May 28.

Abstract

Cationic block copolymers spontaneously assemble via electrostatic interactions with DNA molecules in aqueous solution giving rise to micellar structures that protect the DNA from enzymatic degradation both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we have previously shown that they are safe, not immunogenic and greatly increased antigen-specific CTL responses following six intramuscular inoculations of a very low dose (1microg) of the vaccine DNA as compared to naked DNA. Nevertheless, they failed to elicit detectable humoral responses against the antigen. To gain further insight in the potential application of this technology, here we show that a shorter immunization protocol based on two DNA intramuscular inoculations of 1microg of DNA delivered by these copolymers and a protein boost elicits in mice broad (both humoral and cellular) and long-lasting responses and increases the antigen-specific Th1-type T cell responses and CTLs as compared to priming with naked DNA. These results indicate that cationic block copolymers represent a promising adjuvant and delivery technology for DNA vaccination strategies aimed at combating intracellular pathogens.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • AIDS Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • AIDS Vaccines / immunology
  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / administration & dosage
  • Animals
  • Cations / immunology
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Epitope Mapping
  • Female
  • HIV Antibodies / blood
  • HIV Antibodies / immunology
  • HIV Antigens / immunology
  • Immunity, Cellular
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Injections, Intramuscular
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Polymers / pharmacology*
  • Spleen / cytology
  • Spleen / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*
  • Th1 Cells / immunology
  • Vaccines, DNA / administration & dosage
  • Vaccines, DNA / immunology*
  • tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / immunology

Substances

  • AIDS Vaccines
  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Cations
  • Cytokines
  • HIV Antibodies
  • HIV Antigens
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Polymers
  • Vaccines, DNA
  • tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus