CVB3VP1核酸疫苗与重组腺病毒Ad/VP1联合应用的免疫效果

目的:观察柯萨奇病毒B3(Coxsackievirus group B type 3,CVB3)VP1核酸疫苗pcDNA3/VP1与重组腺病毒Ad/VP1联合应用的免疫效果。方法:大量制备pcDNA3/VP1和Ad/VP1,肌肉注射免疫小鼠。4～6周龄雄性BALB/c小鼠随机分为4组:质粒组,注射pcDNA3/VP1,共3次;腺病毒组,注射Ad/VP1,共2次;质粒/腺病毒组,第1、2次注射pcDNA3/VP1,第3次注射Ad/VP1;PBS对照组。各次注射间隔时间为3周。质粒每次接种100μg/只,腺病毒每次接种4×107pfu/只。用微量中和试验和ELISA法分别检测每次免疫后血清中和抗体和IgG抗体滴度;CCK-8法检测淋巴细胞增殖活性和CTL杀伤活性;用致死量病毒感染后检测血中病毒滴度,并观察小鼠的生存情况。结果:各实验组小鼠的中和抗体和IgG抗体水平均随免疫次数增加而提高,末次免疫后,质粒/腺病毒组血清中和抗体和特异性IgG抗体滴度(31.70±1.41,2425.15±1.86)明显高于质粒组(23.78±1.37,918.96±1.36)和腺病毒组(18.88±1.22,800.00±1.63)(P0.05);各实验组淋巴细胞增殖活性和CTL杀伤活性高于PBS对照组(P0.05);以致死量病毒感染后,质粒/腺病毒组血清病毒滴度低于其他组(P0.05),生存率高于其他组(P0.05)。结论:核酸疫苗与重组腺病毒联合应用可以明显提高免疫效果。     

全反式维甲酸对基因免疫应答的调节作用

目的　研究全反式维甲酸 (ATRA)对TR4 2 1 hCGβ质粒基因免疫诱生的特异性细胞免疫与体液免疫应答的调节作用。方法　肌肉注射重组质粒TR4 2 1 hCGβDNA(每只鼠 5 0 μg 10 0 μl)初次免疫小鼠 ,以灌胃的方式给予ATRA ,并以灌溶剂和TR4 2 1质粒免疫为对照 ;3周与 6周后经同样的方式加强免疫各组小鼠 ,采用ELISA方法对基因免疫小鼠血清中IgG抗体水平进行动态观察 ,分析小鼠血清中IgG抗体亚类 ;3H TdR掺入法测定特异性细胞增殖和细胞杀伤功能。结果　ELISA结果表明 ,TR4 2 1 hCGβ质粒基因免疫诱生较高的抗hCGβ抗体水平 ,ATRA增强TR4 2 1 hCGβ质粒基因免疫诱生的抗hCGβ特异性IgG抗体水平并且伴随IgG2a IgG1显著性降低 ;TR4 2 1 hCGβ质粒基因免疫诱生较强的淋巴细胞增殖活性和CTL活性 ,ATRA抑制TR4 2 1 hCGβ质粒基因免疫诱生的特异性细胞增殖和细胞杀伤功能。结论　ATRA促进基因免疫诱生的TH2免疫应答 ,抑制TH1型免疫应答 ,为改变基因免疫诱生的特异性免疫应答类型提供了一条新的途径。     

包裹天然骨架CpG ODN和HBsAg的非磷脂脂质体疫苗的免疫效果

非磷脂脂质体NovasomeR○(Np )是由Brij5 2、胆固醇和油酸组成 ,可作为同时传递佐剂和抗原的载体。我们将HBsAg与天然骨架CpGODN (phosphodiesterCpGODN ,pdCpGODN )包裹于Np后免疫BALB/c小鼠 ,检测其免疫效果。结果显示 ,包裹pdCpGODN和HBsAg的Np在小鼠中诱导了很高滴度的抗 HBs抗体产生并诱生了HBsAgS2 8 3 9特异性的CTL ,而铝佐剂组和仅包裹HBsAg的Np组诱生的抗体滴度较低 ,未检测到CTL活力。抗体亚类分析结果表明包裹pdCpGODN和HBsAg的Np诱生的免疫应答类型与pdCpGODN剂量有关 ,较低剂量 (2 4 μgpdCpGODN )诱生的为IgG2a为主的Th1型应答 ,而较高剂量(4 7μgpdCpGODN )诱生的是Th1/Th2混合型应答。铝佐剂和仅包裹HBsAg的Np组诱生的是以IgG1为主的Th2型应答。此外 ,包裹pdCpGODN和HBsAg的Np免疫小鼠脾淋巴细胞在体外HBsAg刺激培养后特异性增殖并分泌高水平的IFN γ。这些结果表明包裹pdCpGODN和HBsAg的Np能增强HBsAg的免疫原性 ,诱生体液 /细胞免疫均衡应答 ,有可能发展为慢性乙肝的治疗性疫苗     

CVB3腺病毒载体疫苗Ad/MDC-VP1与DNA疫苗联合应用的免疫效果

目的 构建重组腺病毒Ad/MDC-VP1,观察Ad/MDC-VP1与NA疫苗联合应用的免疫效果.方法 构建、包装重组腺病毒Ad/MDC-VP1并检测目的 蛋白的表达.BALB/c小鼠随机分为Ad/MDC-VP1、pcDNA3/MDC-VP1、pcDNA3/MDC-VPl+Ad/MDC-VP1和PBS 4组,肌肉注射免疫小鼠.用ELISA法和微量中和试验法分别检测血清柯萨奇病毒B3(CVB3)VP1 IgG和中和抗体滴度;CCK-8法检测淋巴细胞增殖活性和特异性CTL杀伤活性;用致死量CVB3攻击小鼠后,检测血中病毒滴度并观察小鼠的存活率.结果 成功构建并包装了重组腺病毒Ad/MDC-VP1,检测到目的 蛋白的表达.peDNA3/MDC-VP1+Ad/MDC-VP1组血清CVB3 VP1 IsG滴度、淋巴细胞增殖指数、CTL杀伤活性和对小鼠的保护率明显高于其他各组(P<0.05),血清病毒滴度低于其他各组(P<0.05).结论 Ad/MDC-VP1与DNA疫苗联合应用能显著提高小鼠细胞和体液免疫应答.     

CVB3腺病毒载体疫苗Ad/MDC-VP1与DNA疫苗联合应用的免疫效果

目的 构建重组腺病毒Ad/MDC-VP1,观察Ad/MDC-VP1与NA疫苗联合应用的免疫效果.方法 构建、包装重组腺病毒Ad/MDC-VP1并检测目的 蛋白的表达.BALB/c小鼠随机分为Ad/MDC-VP1、pcDNA3/MDC-VP1、pcDNA3/MDC-VPl+Ad/MDC-VP1和PBS 4组,肌肉注射免疫小鼠.用ELISA法和微量中和试验法分别检测血清柯萨奇病毒B3(CVB3)VP1 IgG和中和抗体滴度;CCK-8法检测淋巴细胞增殖活性和特异性CTL杀伤活性;用致死量CVB3攻击小鼠后,检测血中病毒滴度并观察小鼠的存活率.结果 成功构建并包装了重组腺病毒Ad/MDC-VP1,检测到目的 蛋白的表达.peDNA3/MDC-VP1+Ad/MDC-VP1组血清CVB3 VP1 IsG滴度、淋巴细胞增殖指数、CTL杀伤活性和对小鼠的保护率明显高于其他各组(P<0.05),血清病毒滴度低于其他各组(P<0.05).结论 Ad/MDC-VP1与DNA疫苗联合应用能显著提高小鼠细胞和体液免疫应答.     

CVB3腺病毒载体疫苗Ad/MDC-VP1与DNA疫苗联合应用的免疫效果

目的 构建重组腺病毒Ad/MDC-VP1,观察Ad/MDC-VP1与NA疫苗联合应用的免疫效果.方法 构建、包装重组腺病毒Ad/MDC-VP1并检测目的 蛋白的表达.BALB/c小鼠随机分为Ad/MDC-VP1、pcDNA3/MDC-VP1、pcDNA3/MDC-VPl+Ad/MDC-VP1和PBS 4组,肌肉注射免疫小鼠.用ELISA法和微量中和试验法分别检测血清柯萨奇病毒B3(CVB3)VP1 IgG和中和抗体滴度;CCK-8法检测淋巴细胞增殖活性和特异性CTL杀伤活性;用致死量CVB3攻击小鼠后,检测血中病毒滴度并观察小鼠的存活率.结果 成功构建并包装了重组腺病毒Ad/MDC-VP1,检测到目的 蛋白的表达.peDNA3/MDC-VP1+Ad/MDC-VP1组血清CVB3 VP1 IsG滴度、淋巴细胞增殖指数、CTL杀伤活性和对小鼠的保护率明显高于其他各组(P<0.05),血清病毒滴度低于其他各组(P<0.05).结论 Ad/MDC-VP1与DNA疫苗联合应用能显著提高小鼠细胞和体液免疫应答.     

CVB3腺病毒载体疫苗Ad/MDC-VP1与DNA疫苗联合应用的免疫效果

目的 构建重组腺病毒Ad/MDC-VP1,观察Ad/MDC-VP1与NA疫苗联合应用的免疫效果.方法 构建、包装重组腺病毒Ad/MDC-VP1并检测目的 蛋白的表达.BALB/c小鼠随机分为Ad/MDC-VP1、pcDNA3/MDC-VP1、pcDNA3/MDC-VPl+Ad/MDC-VP1和PBS 4组,肌肉注射免疫小鼠.用ELISA法和微量中和试验法分别检测血清柯萨奇病毒B3(CVB3)VP1 IgG和中和抗体滴度;CCK-8法检测淋巴细胞增殖活性和特异性CTL杀伤活性;用致死量CVB3攻击小鼠后,检测血中病毒滴度并观察小鼠的存活率.结果 成功构建并包装了重组腺病毒Ad/MDC-VP1,检测到目的 蛋白的表达.peDNA3/MDC-VP1+Ad/MDC-VP1组血清CVB3 VP1 IsG滴度、淋巴细胞增殖指数、CTL杀伤活性和对小鼠的保护率明显高于其他各组(P<0.05),血清病毒滴度低于其他各组(P<0.05).结论 Ad/MDC-VP1与DNA疫苗联合应用能显著提高小鼠细胞和体液免疫应答.     

CVB3腺病毒载体疫苗Ad/MDC-VP1与DNA疫苗联合应用的免疫效果

目的 构建重组腺病毒Ad/MDC-VP1,观察Ad/MDC-VP1与NA疫苗联合应用的免疫效果.方法 构建、包装重组腺病毒Ad/MDC-VP1并检测目的 蛋白的表达.BALB/c小鼠随机分为Ad/MDC-VP1、pcDNA3/MDC-VP1、pcDNA3/MDC-VPl+Ad/MDC-VP1和PBS 4组,肌肉注射免疫小鼠.用ELISA法和微量中和试验法分别检测血清柯萨奇病毒B3(CVB3)VP1 IgG和中和抗体滴度;CCK-8法检测淋巴细胞增殖活性和特异性CTL杀伤活性;用致死量CVB3攻击小鼠后,检测血中病毒滴度并观察小鼠的存活率.结果 成功构建并包装了重组腺病毒Ad/MDC-VP1,检测到目的 蛋白的表达.peDNA3/MDC-VP1+Ad/MDC-VP1组血清CVB3 VP1 IsG滴度、淋巴细胞增殖指数、CTL杀伤活性和对小鼠的保护率明显高于其他各组(P<0.05),血清病毒滴度低于其他各组(P<0.05).结论 Ad/MDC-VP1与DNA疫苗联合应用能显著提高小鼠细胞和体液免疫应答.     

CVB3腺病毒载体疫苗Ad/MDC-VP1与DNA疫苗联合应用的免疫效果

目的 构建重组腺病毒Ad/MDC-VP1,观察Ad/MDC-VP1与NA疫苗联合应用的免疫效果.方法 构建、包装重组腺病毒Ad/MDC-VP1并检测目的 蛋白的表达.BALB/c小鼠随机分为Ad/MDC-VP1、pcDNA3/MDC-VP1、pcDNA3/MDC-VPl+Ad/MDC-VP1和PBS 4组,肌肉注射免疫小鼠.用ELISA法和微量中和试验法分别检测血清柯萨奇病毒B3(CVB3)VP1 IgG和中和抗体滴度;CCK-8法检测淋巴细胞增殖活性和特异性CTL杀伤活性;用致死量CVB3攻击小鼠后,检测血中病毒滴度并观察小鼠的存活率.结果 成功构建并包装了重组腺病毒Ad/MDC-VP1,检测到目的 蛋白的表达.peDNA3/MDC-VP1+Ad/MDC-VP1组血清CVB3 VP1 IsG滴度、淋巴细胞增殖指数、CTL杀伤活性和对小鼠的保护率明显高于其他各组(P<0.05),血清病毒滴度低于其他各组(P<0.05).结论 Ad/MDC-VP1与DNA疫苗联合应用能显著提高小鼠细胞和体液免疫应答.     

CVB3腺病毒载体疫苗Ad/MDC-VP1与DNA疫苗联合应用的免疫效果

目的 构建重组腺病毒Ad/MDC-VP1,观察Ad/MDC-VP1与NA疫苗联合应用的免疫效果.方法 构建、包装重组腺病毒Ad/MDC-VP1并检测目的 蛋白的表达.BALB/c小鼠随机分为Ad/MDC-VP1、pcDNA3/MDC-VP1、pcDNA3/MDC-VPl+Ad/MDC-VP1和PBS 4组,肌肉注射免疫小鼠.用ELISA法和微量中和试验法分别检测血清柯萨奇病毒B3(CVB3)VP1 IgG和中和抗体滴度;CCK-8法检测淋巴细胞增殖活性和特异性CTL杀伤活性;用致死量CVB3攻击小鼠后,检测血中病毒滴度并观察小鼠的存活率.结果 成功构建并包装了重组腺病毒Ad/MDC-VP1,检测到目的 蛋白的表达.peDNA3/MDC-VP1+Ad/MDC-VP1组血清CVB3 VP1 IsG滴度、淋巴细胞增殖指数、CTL杀伤活性和对小鼠的保护率明显高于其他各组(P<0.05),血清病毒滴度低于其他各组(P<0.05).结论 Ad/MDC-VP1与DNA疫苗联合应用能显著提高小鼠细胞和体液免疫应答.     

Coencapsulation of CpG oligodeoxynucleotides with recombinant Leishmania major stress-inducible protein 1 in liposome enhances immune response and protection against leishmaniasis in immunized BALB/c mice

CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODN) have been shown to have potent adjuvant activity for a wide range of antigens. The purpose of this study was to determine the potential benefit of using liposomes as a delivery vehicle to enhance the adjuvant activity of CpG ODN with Leishmania major stress-inducible protein 1 (LmSTI1) antigen in induction of the Th1 response in a murine model of leishmaniasis. BALB/c mice were immunized subcutaneously three times in 3-week intervals with liposomal recombinant LmSTI1 (Lip-rLmSTI1), rLmSTI1 coencapsulated with CpG ODN in a liposome (Lip-rLmSTI1-CpG ODN), rLmSTI1 plus CpG ODN in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), rLmSTI1 plus non-CpG ODN in PBS, rLmSTI1 in PBS, empty liposome, or PBS. The intensity of infection induced by L. major promastigote challenge was measured by footpad swelling. A significant (P < 0.001) inhibition of infection in mice immunized with Lip-rLmSTI1-CpG ODN was shown compared to the other groups, and no parasite was detected in the spleens of this group 14 weeks after challenge. The highest immunoglobulin G2a (IgG2a) titer and the highest IgG2a/IgG1 ratio were also shown in the sera of mice immunized with Lip-rLmSTI1-CpG ODN before and 14 weeks after challenge. The results indicated the superiority of CpG ODN in its liposomal form over its soluble form to induce the Th1 response when used in association with rLmSTI1 antigen. It seems that using a liposome delivery system carrying CpG ODN as an adjuvant coencapsulated with Leishmania antigen plays an important role in vaccine development strategies against leishmaniasis.     

Characterization of humoral and cellular immune responses in mice induced by immunization with HIV-1 Nef regulatory protein encapsulated in poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) microparticles.

We have characterized the humoral and cellular immune responses of BALB/c mice immunized with HIV-1 Nef regulatory protein encapsulated in poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) PLG particles. Three groups of mice were immunized with Nef PLG, Nef in the presence of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) or Nef alone in PBS. When titers were compared 7 months after the last injection, anti-Nef titers in mice immunized with Nef PLG were still close to the maximum, whereas a significant decrease was observed in mice immunized with Nef alone (five times lower) or with Nef in CFA (three times lower). These results indicate that Nef PLG is at least a similar or better vector/adjuvant than Nef in CFA concerning the duration of the humoral immune response. The analysis of cytokine profiles (IL-5 and IL-10) and the isotypic patterns of anti-Nef antibodies (predominantly IgG1), in the three groups of mice, indicated a predominant Th2 immune response. Using synthetic peptides covering the entire sequence of Nef, we identified at least three linear epitopes within sequences 32-64, 118-167 and 185-205 in the sera of mice immunized with Nef PLG or Nef CFA. In contrast, anti-Nef antibodies against Nef alone failed to recognize synthetic peptides, indicating that the majority of anti-Nef antibodies were primarily directed against conformational epitopes. We then examined the ability of Nef PLG to prime for the antigen-specific proliferative responses in vitro. The data obtained indicate the presence of both B-cell and T-cell epitopes in the C-terminal fragment of the protein after immunization of mice with Nef encapsulated in PLG particles.     

短发夹RNA对人端粒酶催化亚基表达的影响

目的:研究短发夹RNA(shRNAs)对人端粒酶催化亚基(hTERT)表达的影响。方法:将编码针对hTERT的shRNA的寡聚核苷酸克隆入哺乳细胞shRNA表达载体pUC18U6形成pUC18U6ht,然后以脂质体法转染入HepG2细胞。被pUC18U6和表达抗绿色荧光蛋白shRNA的pUC18U6GFPsir转染的HepG2细胞作为对照。转染细胞的hTERTmRNA以实时定量RT-PCR定量测定。结果:与对照相比,shRNA可使hTERTmRNA的水平降低49%(P<0.05)。结论:shRNAs抑制了hTERT的表达。     

脂质体佐剂对增强HBsAg免疫原性的作用

利用DC Chol制备粒径为 5 0～ 30 0nm的正电荷脂质体 ,作为乙肝疫苗 (HBsAg)的佐剂 ,免疫BALB/c小鼠后进行血清中特异性抗体IgG1及IgG2a、脾细胞产生细胞因子的检测。结果该脂质体佐剂所诱导的抗体亚类以IgG2a为主 ,脾细胞产生的IL 2、IL 5、IFN γ分别比铝佐剂组高 16 5倍、 10倍、 2倍。表明该脂质体佐剂可以诱导很强的细胞免疫反应 ,是一种能促进Th1和Th2均衡应答的佐剂 ,值得作进一步的研究     

Application of galactose-modified liposomes as a potent antigen presenting cell targeted carrier for intranasal immunization

The mucosal immune system produces secretory IgA (sIgA) as the first line of defense against invasion by foreign pathogens. Our aim was to develop a galactose-modified liposome as a targeted carrier which can be specifically recognized by macrophage, one of the most important antigen presenting cells. First, galactose was covalently conjugated with 1,2-didodecanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DLPE) to give a targeted ligand, a galactosyl lipid. The galactosyl lipid was then incorporated into a liposomal bilayer to form a galactosylated liposome carrier. Further, the ovalbumin (OVA) was encapsulated into the galactosylated liposome carriers and mice were intranasally immunized. Confocal laser scanning microscopy and flow cytometry analysis showed that the targeted galactosylated liposome carrier had a higher uptake rate than unmodified liposomes. The targeted galactosylated liposome induced higher levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 production than unmodified liposomes (P < 0.05). Furthermore, 6-week-old BALB/c female mice immunized with the OVA-encapsulated targeted galactosylated liposome had significantly higher OVA-specific s-IgA levels in the nasal and lung wash fluid (P < 0.05). In addition, the targeted galactosylated liposome simultaneously augmented the serum IgG antibody response. In summary, the OVA-encapsulated targeted galactosylated liposome induced significantly higher mucosal IgA and systemic IgG antibody titers and is a potential antigen delivery carrier for further clinical applications.     

Gene delivery of SOCS3 protects mice from lethal endotoxic shock

Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) was reported as a feedback inhibitor of cytokine receptor signaling byinhibiting the JAK-STAT signal transduction pathway.We sought to test the anti-endotoxic septic shock effect ofliposome mediated gene delivery of SOCS3 in a lethal endotoxic shock mouse model.BALB/c mice were injectedintraperitoneally with 200 μg pcDNA3.1-SOCS3 cationic liposomes,while pcDNA3.1-IL-10 and empty vector aspositive and negative control respectively.Forty-eight hours after gene delivery,mice were challenged with 4 μg ofE.coli 0127:B8 LPS and 18 mg D-GaIN administered i.p.90 min later,serum TNF-α level was determined.Survivalover the next 48h was evaluated.Peritoneal macrophages from survival mice were stimulated in vitro with 1 μg/mlLPS for 18h,and the supernatants were harvested for determination of the amount of TNF-α.We found that genedelivery of SOCS3 significantly increase the mouse survival rate from 27.8±9.6% of control group to 61.1±9.6%(p<0.01).In comparison with control group (218±13pg/ml) and sham delivery group (219±22pg/ml),genedelivery of SOCS3 reduced the level of serum TNF-α(68±9pg/ml) significantly(p<0.01).Furthermore,genedelivery of SOCS3 displayed the capacity of prevention of tolerance of peritoneal macrophages to LPS.Thesefindings suggest that gene delivery of SOCS3 mediated by liposome is a promising approach for endotoxic septicshock treatment.Cellular & Molecular Immunology.2005;2(5):373-377.     

Reversal of multidrug resistance by co-delivery of paclitaxel and lonidamine using a TPGS and hyaluronic acid dual-functionalized liposome for cancer treatment

Multidrug resistance (MDR) remains the primary issue in cancer therapy, which is characterized by the overexpressed P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-included efflux pump or the upregulated anti-apoptotic proteins. In this study, a D-alpha-tocopheryl poly (ethylene glycol 1000) succinate (TPGS) and hyaluronic acid (HA) dual-functionalized cationic liposome containing a synthetic cationic lipid, 1,5-dioctadecyl-N-histidyl-l-glutamate (HG2C₁₈) was developed for co-delivery of a small-molecule chemotherapeutic drug, paclitaxel (PTX) with a chemosensitizing agent, lonidamine (LND) to treat the MDR cancer. It was demonstrated that the HG2C₁₈ lipid contributes to the endo-lysosomal escape of the liposome following internalization for efficient intracellular delivery. The TPGS component was confirmed able to elevate the intracellular accumulation of PTX by inhibiting the P-gp efflux, and to facilitate the mitochondrial-targeting of the liposome. The intracellularly released LND suppressed the intracellular ATP production by interfering with the mitochondrial function for enhanced P-gp inhibition, and additionally, sensitized the MDR breast cancer (MCF-7/MDR) cells to PTX for promoted induction of apoptosis through a synergistic effect. Functionalized with the outer HA shell, the liposome preferentially accumulated at the tumor site and showed a superior antitumor efficacy in the xenograft MCF-7/MDR tumor mice models. These findings suggest that this dual-functional liposome for co-delivery of a cytotoxic drug and an MDR modulator provides a promising strategy for reversal of MDR in cancer treatment.     

Protective efficacy of a dengue 2 DNA vaccine in mice and the effect of CpG immuno-stimulatory motifs on antibody responses

Summary.  A recently described DNA vaccine for dengue (DEN) type 2 was shown to elicit high levels of neutralizing antibodies in mice. The vaccine candidate consists of the PreM and 92% of the envelope genes of DEN 2 New Guinea C strain. We further evaluated this DNA vaccine candidate by examining the effect of immuno-stimulatory CpG DNA motifs on antibody response and by studying the protective efficacy of the vaccine. The results showed that CpG motifs present in pUC 19 significantly improved the antibody response to a suboptimal dose of 3.1 μg of the DEN DNA vaccine. In a lethal mouse intracerebral challenge model, the vaccine provided a significant level of protection. Sixty percent of the mice immunized with the DEN DNA vaccine plus pUC 19 survived the challenge compared to only 10% in the control group that received vector plus pUC. These studies illustrate that nucleic acid immunization is a viable approach to developing a DEN vaccine and that immuno-stimulatory CpG DNA motifs can be used to lower the minimum dose required to produce an antibody response. Accepted November 3, 1997 Received June 20, 1997     

Immune responses and protection obtained by oral immunization with rotavirus VP4 and VP7 DNA vaccines encapsulated in microparticles.

Protective immune responses in mice were obtained after oral immunization with rotavirus DNA vaccines encapsulated in poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) microparticles. The DNA vaccines used encoded outer capsid proteins VP4 and VP7; proteins that are the basis for rotavirus serotyping and the generation of virus neutralizing antibodies. One dose of vaccine was given to BALB/c mice by oral gavage (75 microg DNA/mouse). Rotavirus-specific serum antibodies and intestinal IgA antibodies were detectable by 6 weeks postimmunization. After challenge with homologous murine rotavirus at 12 weeks postimmunization, fecal rotavirus antigen was reduced significantly in immunized mice compared with controls. Protective immunity also was generated by oral delivery of unencapsulated VP 7 DNA vaccine but to a lesser degree. These results demonstrate that the oral route is effective for generating protective immune responses with rotavirus DNA vaccines targeting neutralization antigens.