大剂量HBsAg 对HBV 转基因小鼠T 细胞免疫调节的研究

目的:研究大剂量HBsAg对HBV转基因小鼠其T细胞免疫效果的影响。方法:用大剂量血源性HBsAg免疫HBV转基因小鼠,采用ELISA方法观察转基因小鼠所诱生的HBsAg特异性Th1类细胞因子的水平,ELISPOT方法检测不同免疫方案对小鼠HBsAg特异性分泌IFN-γT细胞数量的影响,同时检测对小鼠淋巴细胞增殖的影响。结果:HBsAg组免疫后脾细胞产生的Th1类细胞因子(IFN-γ、IL-2)、HBsAg特异性分泌IFN-γT细胞及T细胞增殖水平较对照组显著增加(P<0.05)。结论:大剂量的HBs-Ag可以诱导乙肝转基因小鼠产生高水平Th1类细胞因子并打破免疫耐受。     

大剂量HBsAg对HBV转基因小鼠T细胞免疫调节的研究

目的：研究大剂量HBsAg对HBV转基因小鼠其T细胞免疫效果的影响。方法：用大剂量血源性HBsAg免疫HBV转基因小鼠,采用ELISA方法观察转基因小鼠所诱生的HBsAg特异性Th1类细胞因子的水平,ELISPOT方法检测不同免疫方案对小鼠HBsAg特异性分泌IFN-γT细胞数量的影响,同时检测对小鼠淋巴细胞增殖的影响。结果：HBsAg组免疫后脾细胞产生的Th1类细胞因子（IFN-γ、IL-2）、HBsAg特异性分泌IFN-γT细胞及T细胞增殖水平较对照组显著增加（P〈0.05）。结论：大剂量的HBs-Ag可以诱导乙肝转基因小鼠产生高水平Th1类细胞因子并打破免疫耐受。     

Ipr1/PPE68重组BCG诱导BALB/C小鼠免疫应答的探讨

目的构建Ipr1/PPE68重组卡介苗(Recombinant BCG,rBCG),探讨其诱导BALB/C小鼠免疫应答的效果。方法将Ipr1和PPE68基因及结核分枝杆菌(mycobacterium tuberculosis,MTB)复制子OriM分别插入pBudCE4.1的多克隆位点,构建共表达穿梭质粒pBIPO,将其电转入BCG,构建Ipr1/PPE68-rBCG并将rBCG免疫BALB/C小鼠,检测小鼠血清中IgG2a、IL-12、IFN-γ及IL-4的水平、特异性脾淋巴细胞增殖和CD4+和CD8+T细胞数量,同时观察脾、肺荷菌量及脾、肺组织病理学变化。结果酶切测序及菌落PCR鉴定Ipr1和PPE68以及OriM基因序列与理论值相符,Western-blotting结果显示Ipr1和PPE68蛋白成功表达。Ipr1/PPE68-rBCG免疫小鼠后,血清中的IgG2a和IL-12水平及脾淋巴细胞增殖情况明显高于对照组,但与BCG组相比没有显著意义;IFN-γ水平显著低于BCG组,与对照组相比无显著性差异;各组别IL-4的水平差异均不明显。脾、肺荷菌实验未见菌落生长,肺、脾组织未见病理学改变。结论成功构建Ipr1/PPE68-rBCG,该重组BCG能诱导BALB/C小鼠的细胞免疫应答。     

汉坦病毒核蛋白基因疫苗的初步研究

探讨了汉坦病毒核蛋白(NP)S基因疫苗的免疫效果。构建重组真核表达质粒pcDNA3.1 S,直接肌注免疫BALB/c小鼠,分别用ELISA法检测血清特异性抗体的变化,MTT法检测T细胞增殖反应,以及用ELISAkit检测免疫鼠脾细胞上清液中细胞因子IL-4和IFN-γ的动态变化,从而了解免疫鼠的体液免疫反应和细胞免疫反应。pcDNA3.1 S接种组的小鼠血清抗体水平、T细胞增殖反应以及细胞因子IL-4和IFN-γ的产生水平均较对照组pcDNA3.1 空载体接种组的要高。编码核蛋白的S基因的核酸免疫可同时启动机体的细胞免疫和体液免疫反应,S基因是汉坦病毒核酸疫苗的一个比较理想的侯选抗原基因。     

纳米山药多糖对大鼠免疫器官及巨噬细胞吞噬功能的影响

摘要：目的 研究纳米山药多糖合生元结肠靶向调节剂对大鼠免疫器官功能及巨噬细胞吞噬功能的影响。方法 以i.g盐酸林可霉素造成肠炎模型,将大鼠随机分成正常对照组,阳性对照组,纳米山药多糖组和模型组。测定胸腺和脾指数,中性红法测定巨噬细胞吞噬功能,MTT法测定T淋巴细胞增殖,ELISA法测定脾淋巴细胞IL-2和IFN-γ含量。结果 与模型组相比,纳米山药多糖组显著提高免疫器官指数,腹腔巨噬细胞吞噬能力,脾淋巴细胞增殖能力和IL-2和IFN-γ含量（P<0.05),且恢复到正常水平。结论 动物实验表明,纳米山药多糖结肠靶向微生态调节剂具有提高免疫器官指数、巨噬细胞吞噬功能、T淋巴细胞能力、IL-2和IFN-γ含量,是理想的中药微生态调节剂。     

SDF-1基因对HIV-1核酸疫苗诱导的免疫应答

研究SDF-1基因对HIV-1核酸疫苗诱导免疫应答的影响,以探求治疗性HIV-1核酸疫苗的新策略. 将pCI-neoGAG联合SDF-1基因或者pCI-neoGAG单独免疫Balb/c小鼠,采用ELISA检测免疫小鼠的特异性抗体和IFN-γ水平,用MTT比色法检测免疫小鼠脾淋巴细胞的增殖,用乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)试验检测小鼠特异性细胞毒性T淋巴细胞(CTL)的应答.研究结果提示 与pCI-neoGAG免疫组比较,pCI-neoGAG联合SDF-1基因免疫组小鼠血清的抗HIV-1p24抗体滴度降低,有显著性差异(p<0.01);而与pCI-neoGAG免疫组比较,pCI-neoGAG联合SDF-1基因免疫组小鼠血清的IFN-γ升高,差异显著(p<0.01);pCI-neoGAG联合SDF-1基因免疫组小鼠的脾淋巴细胞增殖实验刺激指数(SI)以及特异性CTL活性均高于pCI-neoGAG免疫组,有显著性差异(p<0.01).因此,SDF-1基因联合HIV-1核酸疫苗免疫小鼠,可能增强特异性Th1细胞和CTL反应,SDF-1基因对体液免疫有抑制作用.SDF-1基因对于治疗性HIV-1核酸疫苗是具有较好应用前景的免疫佐剂.     

人IL-12与结核分枝杆菌抗原ESAT-6联合基因疫苗的免疫效果观察

人白细胞介素12(IL-12)与结核分枝杆菌免疫优势抗原ESAT-6真核表达质粒联合基因免疫,诱导免疫应答效果观察。近交系BALB/c小鼠,随机分组:A组(生理盐水对照)、B组(pcDNA3.1空质粒对照)、C组(BCG对照)、D组(pcESAT-6)和E组(pcIL-12 pcESAT-6)。B、D、E质粒免疫组小鼠分别于胫前肌肌肉注射布比卡因(7.5g/L)和质粒的混和物(1∶4,100μL,含质粒70μg/次),A组小鼠肌肉注射生理盐水和布比卡因的混和物(1∶4,100μL),均间隔2周免疫一次,共免疫3次;末次免疫时,C组小鼠皮下注射BCG菌液,0.3mL/只,含106CFU/mL。末次免疫后14d和28d,各组小鼠分别取血分离血清用于总IgG测定,同时分离脾细胞,经TB-PPD刺激后检测脾细胞增殖(XTT比色法)活性和脾细胞培养上清液中γ干扰素(IFN-γ)、白介素4(IL-4)分泌水平。pcESAT-6质粒DNA单独免疫(D组)或与pcIL-12质粒DNA联合免疫(E组),均能诱导小鼠产生特异性抗体,且抗体水平在末次加强免疫后14~28d逐渐增加;但pcIL-12与pcESAT-6联合免疫后,特异性抗体水平较pcESAT-6单独免疫增加不明显(P<0.05)。C、D、E组免疫小鼠脾细胞体外经TB-PPD刺激后,E组小鼠特异性淋巴细胞增殖活性和IFN-γ分泌水平明显强于C组和D组(P<0.05),而IL-4分泌水平相互间未发现明显差异。末次加强免疫后14~28d,E组小鼠脾细胞增殖活性维持在较高水平,而C组小鼠脾细胞增殖活性先低后高,D组则先高后低;IFN-γ诱生水平,E组最高,C组次之,D组最低。pcIL-12与pcESAT-6质粒DNA联合免疫后能刺激机体产生强烈的细胞免疫和稳定的体液免疫,在动物体内诱发的细胞免疫较ESAT-6或BCG单独免疫时均有明显增加并维持较长时间,此外联合免疫后诱导的体液免疫也较BCG免疫有明显增加。     

IL-12基因对HIV-1核酸疫苗诱导的免疫应答的影响

研究白细胞介素-12(IL 12)基因对HIV-1核酸疫苗诱导免疫应答的影响,以探求治疗性HIV-1核酸疫苗的新策略.将pCI-neoGAG联合白细胞介素-12基因或者pCI-neoGAG单独免疫Balb/c小鼠,通过ELISA检测免疫小鼠的特异性抗体和IFN-γ,通过MTT实验检测免疫小鼠脾淋巴细胞增殖实验,通过乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)实验检测小鼠特异性细胞毒性T淋巴细胞(CTL)反应.与pCI-neoGAG免疫组比较,pCI-neoGAG联合白细胞介素-12基因免疫组小鼠血清的抗HIV-1p24抗体滴度降低,有显著性差异(P＜0.01);而与pCI-neoGAG免疫组比较,pCI-neoGAG联合白细胞介素-12基因免疫组小鼠血清的IFN-γ升高,有显著性差异(P＜0.01);pCI-neoGAG联合白细胞介素-12基因免疫组小鼠的脾淋巴细胞增殖实验刺激指数(SI)以及特异性CTL活性均高于pCI-neoGAG免疫组,有显著性差异(P＜0.01).因此,白细胞介素-12基因基因联合HIV-1核酸疫苗免疫小鼠,可能增强特异性Th1细胞和CTL反应,白细胞介素-12基因对体液免疫有抑制作用.     

金线莲多糖对免疫抑制小鼠脾淋巴细胞体外增殖、分泌NO及细胞因子的影响

本试验旨在研究金线莲多糖(ARP)对免疫抑制小鼠脾淋巴细胞体外增殖、NO及细胞因子IL-2、IL-6、IFN-γ分泌水平的影响。MTT法检测小鼠脾淋巴细胞体外增殖;Griess法检测NO分泌水平;ELISA法检测细胞因子IL-2、IL-6、IFN-γ的含量。结果显示,与对照组比较,ARP在50~400μg/m L可明显促进免疫抑制小鼠脾淋巴细胞体外增殖(P0.01),促进NO分泌(P0.01),促进细胞因子IL-2、IL-6和IFN-γ分泌(P0.05,P0.01)。以上结果提示ARP能提高免疫抑制小鼠脾淋巴细胞体外免疫活性,其作用机制可能与促进免疫抑制小鼠脾淋巴细胞增殖,促进NO产生以及提高IL-2、IL-6、IFN-γ的分泌水平有关。     

IL-18 DNA免疫对HIV-1核酸疫苗诱导的免疫应答的影响

为了研究白细胞介素-18(IL-18)基因对人免疫缺陷病毒(HIV-1)核酸疫苗诱导免疫应答的影响,将人IL-18基因插入到真核表达载体pVAX1中,构建了真核表达载体pVAX1-IL-18;将pCI-neoGAG联合pVAX1-IL-18或者pCI-neoGAG单独免疫Balb/c小鼠,检测免疫小鼠的特异性抗体和IFN-γ,同时观察免疫小鼠脾淋巴细胞增殖和小鼠特异性细胞毒性T淋巴细胞(CTL)反应.酶切及测序结果表明成功地构建了人IL-18基因真核表达载体;与pCI-neoGAG免疫组比较,pCI-neoGAG联合pVAX1-IL-18免疫组小鼠血清的抗HIV-1p24抗体滴度降低(P<0.01);而与pCI-neoGAG免疫组比较,pCI-neoGAG联合pVAX1-IL-18免疫组小鼠血清的IFN-γ升高(P<0.01);pCI-neoGAG联合pVAX1-IL-18免疫组小鼠的脾淋巴细胞增殖实验刺激指数(SI)以及特异性CTL活性均高于pCI-neoGAG免疫组(P<0.01).IL-18基因联合HIV-1核酸疫苗免疫小鼠,可能增强特异性Th1细胞和CTL反应,白细胞介素-18基因对体液免疫有抑制作用.     

Characterization of serologic and cell-mediated reactivity of a 38-kDa antigen isolated from Mycobacterium tuberculosis

An antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis with an m.w. of 38,000 has been isolated by affinity chromatography using a monoclonal antibody. This antibody bound only to an antigen found in M. tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis BCG. The specificity of the antigen was tested in a vertical study by immunodetection on western blots reacted with hyperimmune sera against M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, and 10 other Mycobacterium species. The antigen was detected only by antisera to M. tuberculosis and M. bovis. Specificity in cell-mediated immunity was tested by skin tests in guinea pigs sensitized with M. tuberculosis, Mycobacterium intracellulare, and Mycobacterium kansasii and by lymphocyte proliferation tests. The 38-kDa antigen induced positive skin test reactions regardless of the Mycobacterium species used to sensitize the animal. The ability of the 38-kDa antigen to sensitize for cell-mediated immunity was tested by injecting mice with the 38-kDa antigen and challenging their lymphocytes in vitro with various mycobacterial antigens. Lymphocyte proliferation was observed in the presence of 38-kDa antigen, M. tuberculosis sonicate antigen, and tuberculin purified protein derivative and to M. kansasii and M. intracellulare. The 38-kDa antigen may contain a specific epitope detected by serology, but also contains epitopes that are cross-reactive for cellular immunity.     

异型流感病毒感染相关T淋巴细胞增殖活性及IFN-γ阳性Ｔ淋巴细胞水平研究

为探讨机体异型流感病毒间交叉保护作用机制,将实验动物随机分成实验组和对照组,测定异型流感病毒感染后病毒载量,T淋巴细胞增殖活性和IFN-γ阳性CD3＋CD8＋及CD3＋CD4＋淋巴细胞水平的变化。结果显示,异型流感病毒感染后产生的交叉免疫应答反应可能与T淋巴细胞增殖有关;与CTL及Th1类淋巴细胞水平相关,并有时间限制性;IL-2可以加强异型流感病毒感染后IFN-γ阳性CD3＋CD8＋淋巴细胞水平。本研究为制备能够抵御变异流感病毒感染的疫苗提供了理论基础。     

Phenotypic Characterization of Porcine IFNγ-Producing Lymphocytes in Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Vaccinated and Challenged Pigs

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) continues to be one of the most important swine diseases worldwide. Interferon-γ (IFNγ)-mediated type Ⅰ cell-mediated immune response plays an important role in protection from, and clearance of, PRRS virus (PRRSV). Several lymphocyte subsets including T-helper, CTLs, Th/memory cells, and γδ T lymphocytes were previously reported to produce IFNγ during PRRSV infection. However, the proportion and phenotypic characterization of these IFNγ-secreting lymphocytes have not been explored. In this study, IFNγ producted by different lymphocyte subsets was assessed by multi-color flow cytometry after vaccination with PRRSV modified live vaccine (PRRSV-MLV) and challenge with homogeneous or heterogeneous PRRSV. The results showed that T-helper cells were the major IFNγ-secreting cell population after PRRSV-MLV vaccination and PRRSV challenge. Additionally, the proportion of IFNγ producing Th/memory cells and γδ T cells increased after PRRSV challenge. This difference was accounted for an enhanced ability to produce IFNγ in Th/memory cells and an enlarged quantity of γδ T cells. The results presented here could contribute to our understanding of the roles of IFNγ in protective immunity against PRRSV infection and may be useful for assessment of cell-mediated immunity in vaccine tests.     

hsBAFF regulates proliferation and response in cultured CD4(+) T lymphocytes by upregulation of intracellular free Ca(2+) homeostasis

B cell activating factor belonging to the TNF family (BAFF, also called BLyS, TALL-1, THANK, or zTNF4) is an important survival factor for B cells, and is able to regulate T-cell activation. Recently, we have demonstrated that treatment of mice with human soluble BAFF (hsBAFF) causes a significant increase of percentages of splenic CD4(+) T lymphocytes dose-dependently, but the CD8(+) T lymphocyte percentages maintained unchanged. Here, we show that hsBAFF significantly enhanced CD4(+) T lymphocyte response of cultured mouse splenic cells, and hsBAFF induced the proliferation and IL-2/IFN-γ secretion of purified CD4(+) T lymphocytes suboptimally stimulated through anti-CD3. Of importance, we observed that IL-2 or IFN-γ cytokine has additive effect on the proliferation and activity of hsBAFF-stimulated CD4(+) T lymphocytes. Using Flow cytometry with fluorescent probe, Fluo-3/AM, we found that hsBAFF elicited [Ca(2+)](i) elevation contributing to CD4(+) T cell proliferation. This is evidenced by our finding that pretreatment with BAPTA/AM, an intracellular Ca(2+) chelator, significantly attenuated the proliferation of hsBAFF-stimulated CD4(+) T lymphocytes. Subsequently, we revealed that hsBAFF-stimulated CD4(+) T cell proliferation was markedly suppressed after pretreatment with EGTA, an extracellular Ca(2+) chelator, or with 2-APB, an inhibitor of Ca(2+) influx through CRAC channels, respectively, suggesting that extracellular Ca(2+) influx due to hsBAFF is closely associated with [Ca(2+)](i) elevation contributing to CD4(+) T cell proliferation. In addition, we noticed that hsBAFF-treated cells conferred partial resistance to decrease of cellular viability induced by thapsigargin (Tg), an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor. Taken together, our data indicate that hsBAFF may promote CD4(+) T cell proliferation and response by upregulation of [Ca(2+)](i) homeostasis.     

The Mycobacterium tuberculosis early secreted antigenic target of 6 kDa inhibits T cell interferon-γ production through the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway

We reported previously that the early secreted antigenic target of 6 kDa (ESAT-6) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis directly inhibits human T cell IFN-γ production and proliferation in response to stimulation with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28. To determine the mechanism of this effect, we treated T cells with kinase inhibitors before stimulation with ESAT-6. Only the p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, abrogated ESAT-6-mediated inhibition of IFN-γ production in a dose-dependent manner. SB203580 did not reverse ESAT-6-mediated inhibition of IL-17 and IL-10 production, suggesting a specific effect of SB203580 on IFN-γ production. SB203580 did not act through inhibition of AKT (PKB) as an AKT inhibitor did not affect ESAT-6 inhibition of T cell IFN-γ production and proliferation. ESAT-6 did not reduce IFN-γ production by expanding FoxP3(+) T regulatory cells. Incubation of T cells with ESAT-6 induced phosphorylation and increased functional p38 MAPK activity, but not activation of ERK or JNK. Incubation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with ESAT-6 induced activation of p38 MAPK, and inhibition of p38 MAPK with SB203580 reversed ESAT-6 inhibition of M. tuberculosis-stimulated IFN-γ production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from subjects with latent tuberculosis infection. Silencing of p38α MAPK with siRNA rendered T cells resistant to ESAT-6 inhibition of IFN-γ production. Taken together, our results demonstrate that ESAT-6 inhibits T cell IFN-γ production in a p38 MAPK-dependent manner.     

Evaluation of immunogenicity and protective efficacy against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection elicited by recombinant Mycobacterium bovis BCG expressing human Interleukin-12p70 and Early Secretory Antigen Target-6 fusion protein

ESAT-6 protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is absent in Mycobacterium bovis BCG and Mycobacterium microti and has been demonstrated to stimulate strong cell-mediated immunity. IL-12 can play crucial roles in regulating IFN-γ production and Th1 effectors production. In this study, we constructed three rBCG vaccines that could express proteins of human IL-12p70 and/or ESAT-6 and evaluated their immunogenicity and protective efficacy in mice. Our experiments illustrated that the rBCG-IE (expressing a fusion protein of human IL-12p70 and ESAT-6) was capable of inducing stronger Th1 type cell-mediated immune responses than conventional BCG, or rBCG-I (expressing human IL-12p70), or rBCG-E (expressing ESAT-6). However, the results of protective experiments showed that rBCG-IE could only confer similar and even lower protective efficacy against M. tuberculosis H37Rv infection compared with BCG vaccine.     

Interferon-inducible immunity-related GTPase Irgm1 regulates IFNγ-dependent host defense,lymphocyte survival and autophagy

IFN-γ is a pleiotropic cytokine that plays a key role in host resistance, yet when not properly regulated can become detrimental to the host. The interferon-inducible Immunity Related GTPase family M member 1 (Irgm1), previously characterized as an effector molecule required for macrophage microbicidal activity, has been shown recently to control IFN-γ-dependent cell survival and host resistance. Irgm1 regulates the expansion/survival of mature effector CD4⁺ T lymphocytes by protecting them from IFN-γ-induced autophagic cell death. Importantly, mice deficient in both IFN-γ and Irgm1 were rescued from the lymphocyte depletion and increased mortality that typically occurs in Irgm1^–/– animals following pathogen exposure. We propose that Irgm1 plays a major role in maintaining T lymphocyte homeostasis during host IFN-γ responses by protecting these cells from autophagy-dependent cell death.     

CD137 differentially regulates innate and adaptive immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Protective immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis is primarily mediated by the interaction of antigen-specific T cells and antigen presenting cells, which often depends on the interplay of cytokines produced by these cells. Costimulatory signals represent a complex network of receptor-ligand interactions that qualitatively and quantitatively influence immune responses. Thus, here we investigated the function of CD137 and CD137L, molecules known to have a central role in immune regulation, during human tuberculosis (TB). We demonstrated that M. tuberculosis antigen stimulation increased both CD137 and CD137L expression on monocytes and NK cells from TB patients and healthy donors, but only up-regulated CD137 on T lymphocytes. Blockage of the CD137 pathway enhanced the levels of interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α produced by monocytes and NK against M. tuberculosis. In contrast, CD137 blockage significantly decreased the specific degranulation of CD8(+) T cells and the percentage of specific IFN-γ and TNF-α producing lymphocytes against the pathogen. Furthermore, inhibition of the CD137 pathway markedly increased T-cell apoptosis. Taken together, our results demonstrate that CD137:CD137L interactions regulate the innate and adaptive immune response of the host against M. tuberculosis.     

The role of gamma interferon in DNA vaccine-induced tumor immunity targeting simian virus 40 large tumor antigen

The central role of CD4+ T lymphocytes in mediating DNA vaccine-induced tumor immunity against the viral oncoprotein simian virus 40 (SV40) large tumor antigen (Tag) has previously been described by our laboratory. In the present study, we extend our previous findings by examining the roles of IFN-γ and Th1-associated effector cells within the context of DNA immunization in a murine model of pulmonary metastasis. Immunization of BALB/c mice with plasmid DNA encoding SV40 Tag (pCMV-Tag) generated IFN-γ-secreting T lymphocytes that produced this cytokine upon in vitro stimulation with mKSA tumor cells. The role of IFN-γ as a mediator of protection against mKSA tumor development was assessed via in vivo IFN-γ neutralization, and these experiments demonstrated a requirement for this cytokine in the induction immune phase. Neutralization of IFN-γ was associated with a reduction in Th1 cytokine-producing CD4+ and CD8+ splenocytes, as assessed by flow cytometry analysis, and provided further evidence for the role of CD4+ T lymphocytes as drivers of the cellular immune response. Depletion of NK cells and CD8+ T lymphocytes demonstrated the expendability of these cell types individually, but showed a requirement for a resident cytotoxic cell population within the immune effector phase. Our findings demonstrate the importance of IFN-γ in the induction of protective immunity stimulated by pCMV-Tag DNA-based vaccine and help to clarify the general mechanisms by which DNA vaccines trigger immunity to tumor cells.     

IFN-gamma and NO in mycobacterial disease: new jobs for old hands

Granulomatous disease following exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium leprae or Mycobacterium avium is correlated with strong inflammatory and protective responses. The mouse model of mycobacterial infection provides an excellent tool with which to examine the inter-relationship between protective cell-mediated immunity and tissue-damaging hypersensitivity. It is well established that T cells and interferon (IFN)-gamma are necessary components of anti-bacterial protection. We propose that IFN-gamma also modulates the local cellular response by downregulating lymphocyte activation and by driving T cells into apoptosis, and that the events that limit excessive inflammation are largely mediated by IFN-gamma-induced nitric oxide (NO). In several murine models of mycobacterial infection, the absence of IFN-gamma and/or NO results in dysregulated granuloma formation and increased lymphocytic responses, which, in the case of M. avium infection, even leads to reduced bacterial growth.