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Investigators at McMaster University, Center for Gene Therapeutics target DNA vaccines
2007 MAR 5 -- New research, "Intramuscular immunization with a monogenic plasmid DNA tuberculosis vaccine: Enhanced immunogenicity by electroporation and co-expression of GM-CSF transgene," is the subject of a report. "Plasmid DNA vaccine has been widely explored for tuberculosis immunization but there is a need to develop the ways to improve its immunogenicity. In this study, we have constructed a plasmid DNA vaccine coding for Ag85A alone or for both Ag85A and GM-CSF and investigated the immune adjuvant effects of electroporation and GM-CSF co-expression, alone or in combination, on CD4 and CD8 T cell IFN-gamma responses, CTL activities and immune protection from pulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis challenge in a Balb/c mouse model," scientists writing in the journal Vaccine report. "We have found that use of electroporation allows a single intramuscular (i.m.) DNA injection to be as effective as repeated i.m. DNA injections in activation of both Ag85A-specific CD4 and CD8 T cells. Co-expression of immune-enhancing cytokine GM-CSF by the same plasmid DNA TB vaccine could further enhance T cell activation including CTL activities on top of electroporation. With regard to immune protection from pulmonary M. tb challenge, use of electroporation also allows a single i.m. DNA injection to be as effective as repeated i.m. DNA injections. Co-expression of GM-CSF transgene also moderately enhances immune protection and such effect is more evident for systemic protection. However, GM-CSF expression has little added effect on immune protection by electroporation-aided immunization protocols," wrote X. Zhang and colleagues, McMaster University, Center for Gene Therapeutics. The researchers concluded: "Our findings thus will help with the development of future DNA TB immunization strategies." Zhang and colleagues published their study in Vaccine (Intramuscular immunization with a monogenic plasmid DNA tuberculosis vaccine: Enhanced immunogenicity by electroporation and co-expression of GM-CSF transgene. Vaccine, 2007;25(7):1342-52). Additional information can be obtained by contacting X. Zhang, Center for Gene Therapeutics, Dept. of Pathology and Molecular Medicine and Division of Infectious Diseases, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The publisher of the journal Vaccine can be contacted at: Elsevier Science Ltd., the Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, Oxon, England. Keywords: Canada, Hamilton, Biotechnology, DNA Research, DNA Vaccines, Gene Therapy, Immunization, Infectious Disease, Medical Device, Mycobacteria, Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Pulmonology, Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Vaccination. This article was prepared by Pharma Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Pharma Business Week via NewsRx.com.
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