VP22 enhances antibody responses from DNA vaccines but not by intercellular spread.

In some species DNA vaccines elicit potent humoral and cellular immune responses. However, their performance in humans and non-human primates is less impressive. There are suggestions in the literature that an increase in the intercellular distribution of protein expressed from a DNA vaccine may enhance immunogenicity.

Characterization and manipulation of the human adenovirus 4 genome.

Human adenovirus 4 (HAdV-4), the only serotype of the species HAdV-E to be isolated from man, was first identified by its association with outbreaks of acute respiratory disease in military recruits. To combat such outbreaks, a live, oral HAdV-4 vaccine that is delivered via an enteric-coated capsule was developed. This vaccine has been used for nearly 40 years and has been shown to be safe and efficacious.

A Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi vaccine expressing Yersinia pestis F1 antigen on its surface provides protection against plague in mice.

A recombinant strain of attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi surface-expressing Yersinia pestis F1 antigen was generated by transforming strain BRD1116 (aroA aroC htrA) with plasmid pAH34L encoding the Y. pestis caf operon. BRD1116/pAH34L was stable in vitro and in vivo.

DNA vaccination protects against botulinum neurotoxin type F.

A DNA vaccine was constructed which expressed the binding domain of Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin serotype F fused to a signal peptide. Three intra-muscular doses fully protected Balb/c mice against 10(4) MLD of serotype F toxin. Priming of the immune response by DNA vaccination followed by a single booster with type F binding domain protein resulted in high levels of antibody against the binding domain.

Cloning and expression of the complement receptor glycoprotein C from Herpesvirus simiae (herpes B virus): protection from complement-mediated cell lysis.

Simian herpes B virus (SHBV) is the herpes simplex virus (HSV) homologue for the species MACACA: Unlike in its natural host, and unlike other animal herpesviruses, SHBV causes high mortality in accidentally infected humans. SHBV-infected cells, like those infected with HSV-1 and equine herpesvirus types 1 and 4, express complement C3 receptor activity. To study immunoregulatory functions involved in susceptibility/resistance against interspecies transmission, the SHBV glycoprotein C (gC(SHBV)) gene (encoding 467 aa) was isolated.

Construction and evaluation of a eukaryotic expression plasmid for stable delivery using attenuated Salmonella.

An approach to enhancing the stability of eukaryotic expression plasmids for delivery using attenuated Salmonella has been evaluated. The expression apparatus and beta-galactosidase gene from the expression plasmid, pCMVbeta, was cloned into the low copy number plasmid pLG339. The resulting construct, pLGbetaGAL, was shown to have a lower copy number than pCMVbeta in Salmonella enterica var Typhimurium aroA strain SL7207.

Role for mucosal immune responses and cell-mediated immune functions in protection from airborne challenge with Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus.

Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) replicates in lymphoid tissues following peripheral inoculation and a high titre viraemia develops. Encephalitis develops after the virus enters the central nervous system from the blood, with the earliest neuronal involvement being via the olfactory nerve. Following aerosol challenge with virulent VEEV, the virus is thought to replicate in the nasal mucosa and there could be direct entry into the olfactory nerve via infected neuroepithelial cells.