Setsuko Watabe | PubMed Health

PubMed2006

The degree of apoptosis as an immunostimulant for a DNA vaccine against HIV-1 infection.

To regulate the expression of the apoptotic gene, we constructed bicistronic DNA vaccines that encode for HIV env and caspase-3 mutant (casp 3m) that are expressed via the encephalomyocarditis virus internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) or cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter-dependent translations. While IRES-casp 3m induced weak apoptosis and caused little reduction in antigen expression, CMV-casp 3m elicited strong apoptosis and led to a marked decrease in the antigen expression. Therefore, IRES-casp 3m augmented HIV-specific immune responses, and IRES-casp 3m induced significant protection against the vaccinia-HIV chimeric virus. These results suggest that the appropriate level of apoptosis is important for DNA vaccine development.

AIDS Vaccines↗

PubMed2006

[DNA vaccination].

No one knows the timing when influenza pandemic will occur, but that catastrophe will undoubtedly happen. Current vaccines elicit antibodies to membranes of viruses effective against highly specific strains, however they are not effective against multiple strains. New strategies are urgently needed for the protection against multiple strains. It is necessary to develop immunologically superior vaccines. DNA vaccination is an established immunization method in animal models. DNA vaccines are gaining importance due to the induction of a strong cellular immunity. Moreover, the protection against multiple strains of influenza A virus has already been achieved. But their immunogenicity is not so strong that to improve the efficacy of this method is very important. This article highlights some of the recent developments in investigational DNA vaccines. Various tactics for enhancement of their immunity are considered. DNA vaccines together with DNA encoding various cytokines showed better immunological responses in several animal models. Alteration in the vector, inclusion of CpG-ODN motifs, addition of transcriptional factor and appropriate vaccine delivery mechanisms are expected to further improve the efficacy of these vaccines.

Animals↗