Induction of protective immunity to Listeria monocytogenes by immunization with plasmid DNA expressing a helper T-cell epitope that replaces the class II-associated invariant chain peptide of the invariant chain.
Listeria epitope-specific helper T (Th) cells were able to be primed and induced in vivo by immunization with a plasmid carrying an invariant chain (Ii) gene whose class II-associated invariant chain peptide (CLIP) region was replaced by a Listeria Th epitope. Immunization of C3H/He mice with an Ii-LLO 215-226 plasmid induced specific interferon-gamma- and interleukin 2-producing Th cells and conferred significant protective immunity against listerial infection.
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