Codelivery of IL-7 Augments Multigenic HCV DNA Vaccine-induced Antibody as well as Broad T Cell Responses in Cynomolgus Monkeys.
- Author:
Su Hyung PARK
1
;
Mi Young SONG
;
Hyo Jung NAM
;
Se Jin IM
;
Young Chul SUNG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: IL-7; Adjuvant; HCV DNA vaccine; Non-human primates; Anti-E2 antibody; Broad T cell response
- MeSH: Antibody Formation; DNA; Humans; Interleukin-7; Macaca fascicularis; Plasmids; Primates; Vaccination; Vaccines, DNA
- From:Immune Network 2010;10(6):198-205
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: BACKGROUND: A crucial limitation of DNA vaccines is its weak immunogenicity, especially in terms of eliciting antibody responses in non-human primates or humans; therefore, it is essential to enhance immune responses to vaccination for the development of successful DNA vaccines for humans. METHODS: Here, we approached this issue by evaluating interleukin-7 (IL-7) as a genetic adjuvant in cynomolgus monkeys immunized with multigenic HCV DNA vaccine. RESULTS: Codelivery of human IL-7 (hIL-7)-encoding DNA appeared to increase DNA vaccine-induced antibody responses specific for HCV E2 protein, which plays a critical role in protecting from HCV infection. HCV-specific T cell responses were also significantly enhanced by codelivery of hIL-7 DNA. Interestingly, the augmentation of T cell responses by codelivery of hIL-7 DNA was shown to be due to the enhancement of both the breadth and magnitude of immune responses against dominant and subdominant epitopes. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these findings suggest that the hIL-7-expressing plasmid serves as a promising vaccine adjuvant capable of eliciting enhanced vaccine-induced antibody and broad T cell responses.
