OBJECTIVETo investigate the anti-human CEM lymphoma cell activities induced by TCR idiotypic DNA vaccine containing different antigen determinants in BALB/c mice.

METHODSThe specific rearranged gene fragment encoding TCRVbeta region of CEM cell line was obtained by RT-PCR technique. The PCR product was cloned into eukaryocytic expression vector pcDNA3, which was used as DNA vaccine and template for PCR amplifying different antigen determinant. Gene fragments encoding different antigen determinant were amplified and cloned into pcDNA3, separately. The experimental mice were immunized by intramuscular injection of the DNA vaccines. The specific anti-idiotype antibodies were detected by indirect immunofluorescence assay.

RESULTSTCRbetaV of CEM cell line contains five antigen determinants. Specific anti-idiotype antibody was detected in all of the six mice immunized with DNA vaccine containing all the five determinants (the highest titer was 1:480). Although the antibody could also be detected in four of the six mice immunized with DNA vaccine containing four of the five antigen determinants, the antibody titer was lower (the highest titer was 1:80). DNA vaccine containing two of the five determinants could not induce the specific antibody.

CONCLUSIONThe idiotypic DNA vaccine containing the whole TCRbetaV five antigen determinants could induce the specific anti-lymphoma idiotypic antibody in BALB/c mice.