Super-activated interferon-regulatory factors can enhance plasmid immunization

Vaccine. 2003 Mar 28;21(13-14):1363-70. doi: 10.1016/s0264-410x(02)00694-1.

Abstract

We have been investigating the adjuvant properties of two super-activated interferon-regulatory factors (IRFs), IRF-3(5D) and IRF7/3A, identified in our previous studies of structure-function relationships, for enhancing plasmid vaccines. Intramuscular injection of plasmid cocktails encoding IRF-3(5D) and IRF7/3A molecules elicited cytotoxic T cell responses in over 80% of mice following a single immunization compared to a 20% response-rate using a control cocktail. Most interestingly, greater than 60% of mice immunized with the super-activated IRFs developed antigen-specific antibodies compared to 0% of the mice in the control group. Finally, vaccines which incorporated the super-activated IRFs provided greater protection against challenge with a recombinant vaccinia virus. These results support further investigation of the potential of these agents as adjuvants for genetic immunization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Female
  • Gene Transfer, Horizontal
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-3
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-7
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Plasmids / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Vaccination
  • Vaccines, DNA / immunology*

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-3
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-7
  • Irf3 protein, mouse
  • Irf7 protein, mouse
  • Transcription Factors
  • Vaccines, DNA