DNA encoding the attachment (G) or fusion (F) protein of respiratory syncytial virus induces protection in the absence of pulmonary inflammation

• Published in: Journal of general virology 2000-10, Vol.81 (10), p.2519-2523
• Main Authors: Bembridge, Gary P, Rodriguez, Nuria, Garcia-Beato, Regina, Nicolson, Carolyn, Melero, Jose A, Taylor, Geraldine
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AF protein; AG protein; Animals; Antibodies, Viral - biosynthesis; Antigens, Viral - genetics; Disease Models, Animal; F protein; G protein; Interferon-gamma - pharmacology; Interleukin-12 - pharmacology; Mice; Pneumonia, Viral - prevention & control; Pneumonia, Viral - virology; Pulmonary Eosinophilia - prevention & control; Pulmonary Eosinophilia - virology; Respiratory syncytial virus; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections - prevention & control; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses - genetics; Th2 Cells - immunology; Th2 Cells - virology; Vaccines, DNA; Viral Envelope Proteins - genetics; Viral Fusion Proteins - genetics; Viral Proteins - genetics
• ISSN: 0022-1317; 1465-2099
• DOI: 10.1099/0022-1317-81-10-2519

Institute for Animal Health, Compton, Newbury, Berkshire RG20 7NN , UK 1 Centro Nacional de Biologia Fundamental, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, 28220 Madrid, Spain 2 NIBSC, Blanche Lane, South Mimms, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 3QG, UK 3 Author for correspondence: Gary Bembridge. Fax [phone]. e-mail Gary.Bembridge{at}bbsrc.ac.uk Significant protection against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection was induced in mice vaccinated intramuscularly (i.m.) with DNA encoding the F or G protein of RSV. The amounts of IgG1 of IgG2a antibodies in mice immunized with DNA-G alone were similar. However, the antibody response in mice co-immunized with DNA-G and DNA encoding IL-4 (DNA-IL-4) was strongly biased towards IgG1. In contrast, the antibody response in mice co-immunized with DNA-G and DNA-IL-2, -IL-12 or-IFN- was biased towards IgG2a. Mice vaccinated with DNA-F either alone or in combination with DNA encoding cytokines developed a predominant RSV-specific IgG2a response, which was most pronounced in mice co-immunized with DNA-F and DNA-IL-12 or -IFN- . Vaccinated mice developed only a slightly enhanced pulmonary inflammatory response following RSV challenge. More significantly, and in contrast to mice scarified with recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the G protein, mice vaccinated i.m. with DNA-G did not develop pulmonary eosinophilia, even when the immune response was biased towards a Th2 response by co-administration of DNA-IL-4.