Effect of plasmid backbone modification by different human CpG motifs on the immunogenicity of DNA vaccine vectors

DNA vaccines, in general, have been found to be poorly immunogenic in nonhuman primates and humans as compared with mice. As the immunogenicity of DNA plasmids relies, to a large extent, on the presence of CpG motifs as built in adjuvants, we addressed the issue of poor immunogenicity by inserting recently identified CpG oligonucleotides (ODN) optimal for human (K-type or D-type CpG ODN) into the backbone of plasmid VR1020. We found that plasmid DNA containing K-type CpG motifs or D-type CpG motifs significantly enhanced the up-regulation of surface molecules and production of interleukin-6 from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and stimulated monocytes to develop into functionally mature dendritic cells (DC) compared with unmodified plasmid. Monocyte maturation into DC was through plasmacytoid DC present in the culture. It is interesting that the K-type CpG motif-modified plasmid stimulated significant levels of interferon (IFN)-gamma and IFN-alpha from human PBMC. Immunization of mice with D-type CpG motif-modified plasmid, encoding Plasmodium falciparum surface protein 25, yielded enhanced antigen-specific antibodies. Taken together, these results suggest that insertion of immunomodulatory human CpG motifs into plasmid DNA can improve immunogenicity of DNA vaccines.     

Enhancing effect of vaxfectin on the ability of a Japanese encephalitis DNA vaccine to induce neutralizing antibody in mice

Vaxfectin, a recently developed adjuvant, was evaluated for its enhancing effect on immunogenicity of a Japanese encephalitis (JE) DNA vaccine plasmid encoding the JE virus premembrane (prM) and envelope (E) genes (designated pcJEME), using BALB/c and ICR mice. Formulation of pcJEME with Vaxfectin provided > or =8-fold higher neutralizing antibody titers than those induced by pcJEME alone and reduced the amount of pcJEME to one-tenth to induce comparable levels of neutralizing antibody. Use of Vaxfectin did not alter a Th1 type IgG isotype immune response (IgG1 < IgG2a) induced by pcJEME in mice. These results indicate that Vaxfectin has an ability to enhance immunogenicity of pcJEME and is considered as a useful adjuvant for DNA vaccines in murine experimental models.     

Associations of human leukocyte antigen with neutralizing antibody titers in a tetravalent dengue vaccine phase 2 efficacy trial in Thailand

The recombinant, live, attenuated, tetravalent dengue vaccine CYD-TDV has shown efficacy against all four dengue serotypes. In this exploratory study (CYD59, NCT02827162), we evaluated potential associations of host human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles with dengue antibody responses, CYD-TDV vaccine efficacy, and virologically-confirmed dengue (VCD) cases. Children 4–11 years old, who previously completed a phase 2b efficacy study of CYD-TDV in a single center in Thailand, were included in the study. Genotyping of HLA class I and II loci was performed by next-generation sequencing from DNA obtained from 335 saliva samples. Dengue neutralizing antibody titers (NAb) were assessed as a correlate of risk and protection. Regression analyses were used to assess associations between HLA alleles and NAb responses, vaccine efficacy, and dengue outcomes. Month 13 NAb log geometric mean titers (GMTs) were associated with decreased risk of VCD. In the vaccine group, HLA-DRB1*11 was significantly associated with higher NAb log GMT levels (beta: 0.76; p = 0.002, q = 0.13). Additionally, in the absence of vaccination, HLA associations were observed between the presence of DPB1*03:01 and increased NAb log GMT levels (beta: 1.24; p = 0.005, q = 0.17), and between DPB1*05:01 and reduced NAb log GMT levels (beta: ?1.1; p = 0.001, q = 0.07). This study suggests associations of HLA alleles with NAb titers in the context of dengue outcomes.This study was registered with clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02827162.     

肺炎支原体P1C-IL-2融合基因疫苗鼻饲对小鼠免疫效果的检测

目的 研究肺炎支原体(Mp) P1C-IL-2融合基因疫苗经鼻饲免疫小鼠后的免疫应答水平和免疫保护作用,了解IL-2对P1C核酸疫苗的免疫佐剂效应.方法 将构建的P1C-IL-2核酸疫苗鼻饲免疫BALB/c鼠,ELISA检测免疫小鼠血清IgG滴度、IgG亚类和支气管肺泡灌洗液中IgA及IFN-γ、IL-4的水平;建立小鼠Mp感染模型,观察Mp攻击后小鼠肺组织炎症情况和支气管肺泡灌洗液中Mp菌落数的变化.结果 P1C-IL-2双基因疫苗组小鼠血清中的总IgG、IgG1、IgG2a亚类和支气管肺泡灌洗液中IFN-γ和IL-4水平均较PIC疫苗组小鼠显著增高(P＜0.05),但两组支气管肺泡灌洗液IgA差异无显著性(P＞0.05).用Mp滴鼻感染免疫小鼠,第1、3、6天P1C-IL-2双基因融合疫苗组小鼠肺组织炎症病理评分显著高于P1C单基因疫苗免疫组小鼠,两组小鼠支气管肺泡灌洗液中的Mp菌落数差异无显著性(P＞0.05).结论 IL-2能显著增强PIC疫苗的免疫应答水平,但在感染早期也激发了较强的肺组织炎症.     

CpG ODN增强乙肝疫苗在老年小鼠中的免疫应答

目的：探讨CpG ODN对老年小鼠的体液和细胞免疫应答的增强作用。方法：选用老年C57BL／6小鼠，将乙肝疫苗和10μg、20μg CpG ODN同时或单独肌注到小鼠体内，两周后以同样剂量加强免疫一次，再过3周后摘除眼球取血，用EILSA方法检测抗HBs16；抗体和IL-12；无菌取脾脏作HE染色，观察脾脏淋巴细胞变化。结果：10μg和20μg CpG ODN与疫苗同时注射组产生的抗体绝对量分别是单独注射疫苗组的3倍和4倍；产生的IL-12水平较对照组有明显升高，且20μg比10μCpG组产生的IL-12水平更高。光镜下各组的脾脏淋巴细胞的变化如下：正常老年鼠组脾脏淋巴细胞较正常青年鼠组明显稀少；老年鼠 10μgCpG组脾脏淋巴细胞较正常老年鼠组有了明显增加，且细胞核也明显增大；20μgCpG组增加的更加明显。结论：CpG ODN能增强乙肝疫苗在老年小鼠中的体液和细胞免疫应答。     

Four-gene-combination DNA vaccine protects mice against a lethal vaccinia virus challenge and elicits appropriate antibody responses in nonhuman primates

Two major infectious forms of vaccinia virus (VACV) have been described: the intracellular mature virion (IMV), and the extracellular enveloped virion (EEV). Due to their stability in the environment, IMVs play a predominant role in host-to-host transmission, whereas EEVs play an important role in dissemination within the host. In a previous report, we demonstrated that mice vaccinated with VACV L1R (IMV immunogen) and A33R (EEV immunogen) were protected from a lethal poxvirus challenge. Vaccination with a combination of both genes conferred greater protection than either gene alone, suggesting that an immune response against both IMV and EEV is advantageous. Here, we report that in mice individually administered DNA vaccines with two different VACV immunogens, A27L (IMV immunogen) or B5R (EEV immunogen), failed to significantly protect; however, vaccination with a combination of both genes conferred a high level of protection. Mice were completely protected when vaccinated with a combination of four VACV genes (A27L + A33R + L1R + B5R). Rhesus macaques vaccinated with this four-gene-combination developed appropriate antibody responses to each protein. Antibody responses elicited by this vaccine cross-reacted with monkeypox virus orthologous proteins. These data indicate that a gene-based vaccine comprised of the VACV A27L + A33R + L1R + B5R genes may be a useful candidate to protect against other orthopoxviruses, including those that cause monkeypox and smallpox.     

CpG寡脱氧核苷酸增强免疫抑制小鼠对乙肝疫苗的免疫应答

目的 :探讨CpG寡脱氧核苷酸 (ODN)增强免疫抑制小鼠对乙肝疫苗的免疫应答效果。方法 :选用环磷酰胺 (CTX)所致免疫抑制模型小鼠 ,以乙肝疫苗和 2 0 μgCpGODN联合或单独左胫前肌肌注免疫C5 7BL/6小鼠。 2wk后以同样剂量加强免疫 1次 ,再过 3wk后摘除眼球取血 ,用ELISA法检测抗 HBsIgG抗体和IL 12的水平。同时 ,无菌取脾脏做HE染色 ,观察脾脏淋巴细胞的数量和细胞核的变化。结果 :CpGODN与疫苗联合注射组产生的绝对抗体量比单独注射疫苗组提高 1倍 ;注射组产生IL 12的水平较单独注射疫苗组也有明显升高。光镜下各组脾脏淋巴细胞的变化如下 :正常对照组脾脏可见大量的淋巴细胞 ;与正常对照组相比较 ,CTX组的淋巴细胞明显稀少 ;而CTX加CpG组的淋巴细胞数明显增多 ,细胞核也明显增大。结论 :CpGODN能增强免疫抑制小鼠对乙肝疫苗的免疫应答     

Decreased suppression of immune stimulatory CpG motifs in plant DNA

Due to differential content of CpG motifs in genomic DNA of organisms like bacteria and mammals, CpG-containing DNA delivers a danger or immunostimulatory signal that is recognized by Toll-like receptor 9 in mammalian cells. Here we show that genomic DNA from several plants promote proliferation and CD69 expression as well as activate NFkappaB and JNK pathways in murine B lymphocytes. Plant DNA synergize with specific antigen in activating B cells in a dose-dependent manner. Using a computational method we compared the usage of CpG motif related sequences in DNA of plants, bacteria, mammals or other species. It was found that the CpG motif suppression is much less significant in plant DNA than in mammalian genomes. These computation results partially explain the immunostimulatory activity of plant DNA observed in biological experiments, and lead to the hypothesis that plants respond to plant pathogens by recognizing CpG motifs in the pathogens' genomic DNA. Collectively this work provides new evidence for further understanding the interactions between plants and the human immune system or homeostasis, and between plants and their pathogens. The hypothesis that CpG dependent immunomodulation is a feature of plant DNA that contributes to plant nutrition or food/pollen allergy is also discussed.     

Immunology of DNA vaccines: CpG motifs and antigen presentation

DNA vaccines elicit high levels of specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes and antibody production in numerous animal models. However, the specific immunological events which lead to this effective immune response remain unclear. Presentation of DNA-encoded antigens is particularly intriguing as there is now evidence to suggest that this occurs via both endogenous intracellular and cross-presentation. Further, it has been observed that many plasmid DNA vectors used in DNA vaccination contain CpG motifs--sequences of bacterial DNA which induce pro-inflammatory cytokines in various cells--and which thus provide a novel adjuvant for injected antigens. In this review we will discuss the effects these bacterial DNA sequences have on cells of the immune system, the immune response generated after DNA vaccination and the mechanisms by which DNA-encoded antigens are likely to be presented.     

Mammalian granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and some CpG motifs have an effect on the immunogenicity of DNA and subunit vaccines in fish

A eukaryotic plasmid DNA carrying the AACGTT CpG motif in its ampR gene is a 'danger' signal for mice and caused an increase in the specific antibody titres of fish and mice after immunization with beta-galactosidase (beta-gal). A second pUC-based plasmid, which is inactive in mice and contains the GACGTC CpG motif in its cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter, had no effect on antibody responses to beta-gal in either fish or mice. A synthetic oligonucleotide, which contains the GACGTT motif, potentiated antibody responses to co-administered beta-gal protein in mice, but not in fish. This is early evidence that lower and higher vertebrates recognize different unmethylated CpG motifs as 'danger' signals. In addition, plasmid DNA expressing mouse granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) had a marked effect on cytotoxic T-cell-like activity in fish by reducing the average number of myofibres that expressed beta-gal, 28 days after co-injection with plasmid DNA expressing beta-gal. Although the mechanism by which the mouse GM-CSF exerted its biological effects in fish is unknown, this finding might have important implications for fish vaccination, particularly when cytotoxic T cells may play a critical role.     

人乳头瘤病毒11型DNA中CpG基序甲基化状态分析及生物活性的研究

目的　对人乳头瘤病毒 11型全核苷酸序列的CpG基序 (CpGmotifs)进行分析 ,为阐明尖锐湿疣的发病机制和提高DNA疫苗的效能奠定理论基础。方法　对从pBR32 2 HPV11重组质粒上酶切下来的HPV11全长DNA进行计算机分析 ,包括分类、计数和定位 ;并用限制性内切酶PCR法分析HPV11DNA中CpG基序的甲基化状态 ,即分别用甲基化敏感的限制性内切酶AccⅡ、HaeⅡ和HpaⅡ对HPV11DNA进行酶切消化 ,再以HpaⅡ切割位点侧翼序列为引物 ,以HpaⅡ酶切产物为模板 ,用聚合酶链反应 (PCR)扩增HPV11DNA片断 ,并用HPV11DNA刺激表达有pCIneo TLR9的HEK2 93细胞 ,ELISA法检测TNF al pha、IFN alpha和IL 12的分泌。结果　CpG的“C”的侧翼为两个嘌呤 ,“G”的侧翼为两个嘧啶 ,在HPV11中共 14个。HPV11全基因组被AccⅡ切成 2个片断、被HaeⅡ切成 3个片断、被HpaⅡ切成 5个片断 ,而且以HpaⅡ酶切产物为模板进行PCR扩增 ,未能得到相应的片断。HPV 11DNA刺激有人TLR9表达的HEK2 93细胞后能检测到TNF alpha、IFN alpha和IL 12的分泌。结论　乳头瘤病毒 11型DNA中含有GACGTT等非甲基化的CpG基序 ,而且具有免疫原性     

IL-2增强肺炎支原体P1C核酸疫苗的肌注免疫效果

目的:研究IL-2对肺炎支原体(Mycoplasma pneumoniae,Mp)P1C核酸疫苗经肌注免疫BALB/c小鼠后的免疫应答水平和免疫保护作用.方法:将P1C-IL-2核酸疫苗肌注免疫BALB/c鼠,ELISA检测疫苗免疫后56天小鼠血清IgG和IgG亚类、支气管灌洗液中SIgA、IFN-γ和IL-4的水平;用2×107 Mp菌落形成单位鼻饲感染BALB/c鼠,建立感染小鼠模型,病理切片检测Mp感染后小鼠肺部炎症病理改变;将系列10倍稀释的支气管灌洗液接种于SP4固体平板,并进行菌落计数.结果:P1C-IL-2核酸疫苗免疫组小鼠血清中的总IgG、IgG1、IgG2a、IFN-γ和IL-4水平均较P1C单基因疫苗组显著增高(P＜0.05),但两组支气管灌洗液中SIgA差异无显著性(P＞0.05).Mp感染后第1、3、6天P1C-IL-2双基因疫苗组小鼠肺组织病理评分(HPS)较P1C单基因疫苗免疫组显著增高,但支气管灌洗液中的Mp菌落数明显减少;第9天后两组HPS和Mp菌落数差异无显著性.结论:IL-2能显著增强P1C疫苗肌注的免疫保护作用和免疫应答水平,但同时在Mp感染早期激发了较重的肺组织炎症.     

MUC2在结肠炎小鼠中的保护作用和血清抗CBir1抗体的表达

目的:探究黏蛋白2(MUC2)对结肠炎模型小鼠肠黏膜的保护作用,并探究抗CBir1鞭毛蛋白抗体与MUC2表达的相关性。方法:将小鼠随机分为正常对照组、2,4,6-三硝基苯磺酸(TNBS)组、脂多糖(LPS)+卵清蛋白(OVA)+TNBS组和酮替芬+TNBS组,采用PAS染色法和免疫组织化学法测定各组小鼠结肠组织MUC2的表达情况,ELISA法对各组小鼠血清抗CBir1抗体的水平进行测定。结果:各模型组小鼠的疾病活动度指数评分和组织学指数评分中,TNBS组小鼠的分值较正常对照组增高(P0.05),LPS+OVA+TNBS组小鼠的分值较TNBS组更加增高(P0.05),而酮替芬+TNBS组小鼠的分值与TNBS组相比有所降低(P0.05)。PAS染色结果显示,与正常对照组比较,TNBS组杯状细胞减少,LPS+OVA+TNBS组与TNBS组相比结肠黏膜完整性出现破坏,而酮替芬+TNBS组与TNBS组相比杯状细胞数量明显增多。免疫组化染色结果表明,各模型组小鼠肠道内MUC2的表达量与PAS染色结果基本保持一致。TNBS组小鼠血清抗CBir1抗体的含量较正常对照组有所增高(P0.05),LPS+OVA+TNBS组小鼠与TNBS组相比明显增高(P0.05),而酮替芬+TNBS组小鼠与TNBS组相比有所降低(P0.05)。结论:MUC2在结肠炎小鼠的发病过程中具有肠黏膜保护作用。结肠炎小鼠MUC2的表达量与肠道内细菌鞭毛蛋白存在一定的负相关。     

比较可表达产生VLP颗粒的CHIKV DNA疫苗和减毒活疫苗在小鼠中的免疫效果

目的:比较可表达产生病毒样颗粒（virus-like particle,VLP）的CHIKV DNA疫苗与CHIKV181/clone25减毒活疫苗在小鼠中的免疫应答与保护效果。方法:C57BL/6n小鼠分别用CHIKV DNA疫苗20 μg以肌肉注射加电转的形式免疫2次,CHIKV181/clone25减毒活疫苗10...     

Enhanced antibody responses in mice by combined administration of interferon with rabies vaccine

Summary Exogenous interferon administered to mice at the time of, and 6 hours after the first dose of 3 daily vaccinations accelerated and enhanced the IgM and IgG antibody responses to rabies virus. The effect of interferon was not evident when the interferon was administered later in the vaccination schedules and was abrogated by prior administration of anti-interferon antibody to the mice. The number of IgM antibody secreting cells in the spleen was significantly greater in mice treated with interferon than in controls.With 2 Figures     

两种HCV不同结构基因重组质粒DNA诱导免疫应答的比较研究

目的：探讨丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）包膜基因E1E2,对核心基因CDNA疫苗诱生的免疫应答有无增强作用。方法：构建包含HCVC或CE1E2基因片段的真有达载体pHCV-C和pHCV-CE1E2,分别接种于Balb/c小鼠股四头肌（以空载体pcDNA3作为对照）,每间隔2wk l次,用ELISA法检测免疫小鼠血清中抗HCVC特异性抗体的产生。以pHCV-C转染并表达HCcAg r S p2/0细胞为靶细胞,采用^51Cr翻译放试验检测特异性CTL的杀伤作用。结果,两个实验免疫的20只小鼠均产生抗HCV C特异性抗体,当前／靶细胞比例为100：1时,CTL的杀伤率均明显高于对照组（P＜0．01）;pHCV-CE1E2与pHCV-C组之间,无论是抗HCV C抗体的滴度还是CTL的杀伤率均无显著性差异（P＞0．05）。结论E1E2基因的加入,并没有增加HCV C基因DNA疫苗诱导的抗HCcAg特异性抗体的滴度和CTL的杀伤作用。     

Immunoglobulin A antibody responses in dengue patients: a useful marker for serodiagnosis of dengue virus infection

We determined the usefulness of an immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for serodiagnosis of dengue virus infections. The results indicate that the presence of IgA and IgM in serum samples assures recent primary dengue virus infection even with a single serum sample.     

DNA target motifs of somatic mutagenesis in antibody genes

During humoral immunity to T-cell-dependent antigens, responding B lymphocytes selectively mutate their antibody variable region genes at a high rate. This, together with the process of clonal selection, ultimately enhances the affinity and specificity of the antibody molecule and memory B cells that express it as a receptor. Despite several decades of investigation, the mutation mechanism has remained unresolved, largely due to the convoluted nature of experimental systems used to approach it. Somatic mutations preferentially occur within specific oligonudeotide motifs, and this targeting is consistent in all immunoglobulin genes of humans and mice that we have examined, suggesting that a conserved mechanism operates in both species. Our mutation targeting analyses implicate evolution of germline variable gene sequences to direct somatic mutations to specific codon positions in a manner that regulates the frequency of amino acid replacements to the benefit of the antibody product. Finally, our recent strand bias analyses support the idea that somatic mutation occurs preferentially, perhaps exclusively, at two bases on both strands of DNA. These and related observations from other laboratories support a mutation model that invokes at least two error-prone polymerases that have distinct template biases and requirements for elements of postreplicative mismatch repair.