分子佐剂C3d增强草原兔尾鼠卵透明带3 DNA疫苗的免疫应答

为增强免疫不育的效果,探讨分子佐剂C3d对草原兔尾鼠透明带3(LaguruslagurusZonaPellucida3,LZP3)基因免疫的调节作用。构建了含3个拷贝C3d的lzp3基因真核细胞表达质粒pcDNA3-LZP3-C3d3(pcD-LC),以不含C3d的质粒pcDNA3-LZP3(pcD-L)为对照,体外转染HeLa细胞,RT-PCR和Westernblot分别检测到lzp3mRNA和蛋白的表达。对NIH雌性小鼠肌肉进行基因免疫注射,ELISA结果表明pcD-LC免疫诱导的特异性抗LZP3-IgG水平明显高于pcD-L对照组(P<0.05),且有长期免疫应答效应;MTT结果显示pcD-LC能够诱导淋巴细胞增殖活性的提高。抗生育实验表明pcD-LC免疫组显著降低窝产仔数(P<0.05),且卵巢切片正常。研究结果证实C3d能够增强lzp3DNA疫苗的特异性免疫应答并达到抗生育效果,为DNA疫苗控制草原兔尾鼠的深入研究提供了基础。     

壳聚糖介导增强DNA疫苗皮肤免疫效果的研究

目的:探讨壳聚糖(chitosan)包裹DNA疫苗皮肤免疫效果。方法:以chitosan包裹不同的草原兔尾鼠卵透明带3(LZP3)基因DNA疫苗pcDNA3-Lzp3(pLzp3)和pLC,通过皮肤擦拭免疫小鼠,以ELISA方法检测抗体水平,对卵巢做病理切片检测。结果:ELISA结果显示用chitosan包裹的pLC组在皮肤免疫中显示出优势,卵巢病理切片结果正常。结论:Chitosan包裹质粒皮肤免疫小鼠较纯质粒免疫效果更为显著。     

草原兔尾鼠和昆明白小鼠卵透明带3 DNA疫苗免疫不育效果的研究

为探讨不同种类小鼠卵透明带3（zp,）的免疫不育效果,并筛选高效且具有物种特异性的DNA抗生育疫苗,本研究选择草原兔尾鼠卵透明带3（Lzp3）和昆明白小鼠卵透明带3（Mzp3）构建不同的DNA抗生育疫苗表达载体,pcDNA3-mzp3（pcD-M）、pcDNA3-1zp3（pcD-L）、pcDNA3-aat-comp-mzp3（pcD-ACM）和pcDNA3-aat-comp-lzp3（pcD-ACL）分别免疫NIH小白鼠。研究中用水动力转染技术取代传统的Hela细胞真核转染检测小鼠体内真核表达情况．结果表明四种质粒均能在小鼠肝脏中进行表达;ELISA图示表明重组质粒均能使小鼠激发较高水平的特异性抗体;抗生育结果表明四种DNA疫苗均具有免疫不育的效果（P〈0．05）,其中pcDNA3-aat-comp-mzp3（pcD-ACM）的免疫效果最好（P〈0．01）;卵巢病理切片H．E染色结果显示pcD-M和pcD-L组卵巢结构与对照小鼠区别不大,而pcD-ACL和pcD-ACM组卵巢结构发生病理性变化。结果初步说明草原兔尾鼠和昆明白小鼠卵透明带3对NIH小白鼠均有抗生育效果,但不具有物种特异性。     

口服脂质体包裹Ag85A DNA疫苗诱导抗体的产生

制备脂质体包裹的Ag85A口服DNA疫苗,并观察小鼠口服后所诱生的抗体产生情况。用脂质体包襄重组质粒pcDNA3．1／mye—HisA—Ag85A制备口服DNA疫苗,并用脂质体包裹空质粒pcDNA3．1／myc—HisA作为对照。将C57BL／6小鼠随机分为3组,即生理盐水组、空质粒组和重组质粒DNA疫苗组。分别将生理盐水、空质粒和重组质粒DNA疫苗以灌胃方式投给各组小鼠,共免疫3次,每次间隔14d,末次免疫后14d处死小鼠,ELISA法检测血清中Ag85A特异性抗体水平,放射免疫法测定肠组织中分泌型IgA（sIgA）含量。重组质粒组血清中Ag85A特异性抗体滴度为1：160,空质粒组和生理盐水组血清中均未捡出Ag85A特异性抗体。重组质粒组肠组织中slgA含量（0．3761±0．0456）μg／mL较空质粒组（0．2374±0．0414）μg／mL和生理盐水（0．1993±0．0899）μg／mL组显著增高（P〈0．05）,而空质粒组和生理盐水组未见有意义的变化（P〉0．05）。口服脂质体包裹Ag85ADNA疫苗可诱导外周特异性抗体的产生和肠道黏膜局部sIgA的水平的升高。     

质粒纳米乳剂的制备与阴离子交换色谱测定方法

以纳米乳剂为载体包裹草原兔尾鼠卵透明带3DNA疫苗,制备获得了纳米乳剂DNA疫苗,并对其进行了质量评价。采用界面乳化法制备质粒纳米乳剂,用电子显微镜测定了其粒径及其分布,根据质粒的带电特性,利用强阴离子Q SepharoseTMXL色谱柱分离纳米乳剂和游离质粒,建立了强阴离子交换柱质粒纳米乳剂包封率的快速测定方法。结果表明:制备的纳米乳剂DNA疫苗的平均粒径为(23±10)nm,包封率为80.5%。选择0.05mol/L的Tris-HCl为平衡液,流速为0.7mL/min,紫外检测波长260nm,柱温30℃,进样量为2mL的实验条件,质粒的含量和峰面积的线性关系良好(r=0.9983),加样回收率在95%以上,该方法简便快速、灵敏度高,重复性好,可用于纳米乳剂DNA疫苗包封率的快速测定。     

幽门螺杆菌napA基因在乳酸菌中的表达及免疫原性分析

为在乳酸菌中表达幽门螺杆菌（Helicobacter pylori,H.pylori）中性粒细胞激活蛋白(NAP),口服免疫小鼠后检测其免疫原性。在实验中利用了分子克隆技术构建携带nap基因的重组原核表达质粒pNICE:secnap,将重组质粒转化乳酸菌NZ9000株,筛选鉴定阳性菌落,诱导表达的NAP蛋白用SDSPAGE和Western blot进行鉴定。将雌性ICR（CV级）小鼠随机分为4组,分别用PBS、携带空质粒的乳酸菌、携带pNICE:secnap的乳酸菌、灭活的H.pylori 灌胃。免疫7次后检测其特异性IgG和IgA的产生。成功扩增了nap基因并构建了重组原核表达质粒pNICE:secnap,转化乳酸菌NZ9000后经nisin诱导可表达Mr约17kDa的重组蛋白,表达量约占菌体总蛋白量的9.5%,表达的蛋白能与兔抗H.pylori 血清特异性反应,具有良好的免疫原性。携带pNICE:secnap质粒的乳酸菌刺激产生的IgG水平明显高于携带空质粒组,与灭活H.pylori组没有明显的差异,但其刺激产生的IgA水平明显高于其他组。以上结果说明表达NAP蛋白的乳酸菌口服免疫小鼠后,能够刺激小鼠产生特异的IgG和IgA,对幽门螺杆菌疫苗的研究开发具有理论意义。为乳酸菌作为抗原递送载体的研究和H.pylori口服疫苗的开发提供了一定的实验基础。     

聚乙二醇修饰的壳聚糖包裹DNA的转染效果研究

目的:为探讨聚乙二醇(PEG,MW4000)修饰的壳聚糖用于包裹质粒DNA(Chi-DNA)是否能有效提高口服发送的外源基因在消化道中的表达量.方法:用PEG修饰的壳聚糖包裹不同剂量(10μg,50μg,100μg)的质粒(pCMVβ),形成壳聚糖纳米复合物,通过口服发送后经X-gal染色法检测pCMVβ在小鼠消化道内的表达效果.结果:胃酸消化实验及DNase Ⅰ消化实验均表明经PEG修饰的壳聚糖纳米粒能有效地保护DNA,使其免受胃酸及Dnase Ⅰ的降解.同时在小鼠消化道内的表达量较修饰前明显增加,随着所发送DNA剂量的增加,表达量也相应增加,且包裹10μg质粒的DNA纳米复合物的表达量相当于100μg未修饰复合物的表达水平.结论:经PEG修饰的Chi-DNA纳米复合物有较高的基因转染效果,有望作为基因治疔中高效非病毒口服发送系统的材料.     

HEVAg-PLGA纳米颗粒疫苗小鼠体内免疫学研究

研究重组戊型肝炎抗原(HEVAg)-乳酸/乙醇酸共聚物(PLGA)纳米颗粒抗原能否在动物体内诱导产生免疫应答。制备HEVAg-PLGA纳米颗粒抗原后,通过皮下、滴鼻、口服途径接种Balb/c小鼠,每隔4周加强免疫两次,HEVAg与铝盐佐剂(铝佐剂疫苗Al_2O_3-Ag)为对照组,一定时间内检测抗体及细胞因子的应答水平。结果HEVAg-PLGA纳米颗粒抗原在小鼠体内诱导产生有效的体液免疫、细胞免疫。滴鼻、口服途径黏膜系统中诱导产生较高滴度的IgA抗体,ELISPOT结果显示鼻腔、唾液腺中IgA ASCs数量显著增加;皮下途径诱导产生较高滴度的IgG抗体;常规铝佐剂疫苗相比于HEVAg-PLGA纳米颗粒抗原诱导较强的IgG抗体水平,未诱导产生黏膜免疫应答;HEVAg-PLGA纳米颗粒抗原诱导产生较强细胞免疫应答,皮下接种途径IFN-γ、IL-4生成细胞数量显著高于其它免疫组。与铝佐剂疫苗相比,HEVAg-PLGA纳米颗粒抗原能有效诱导产生系统免疫及黏膜免疫应答,显示HEVAg-PLGA有潜力成为备选HEV黏膜疫苗抗原,同时展示PLGA颗粒作为黏膜系统抗原递送载体及黏膜佐剂的优越性。     

以减毒沙门氏菌为SARS-CoV N DNA口服疫苗载体的初步研究

目的:以减毒沙门氏菌为载体运送SARS-CoV N DNA疫苗至小鼠体内,研究其诱导的免疫应答情况,评价减毒鼠伤寒沙门氏菌作为口服疫苗的免疫效果。方法：将含SARS-CoV N基因的pcDNA-N质粒导入减毒鼠伤寒沙门氏菌CS022中,采用口服和滴鼻相结合的方法免疫BALB/c小鼠,以ELISA检测不同时间免疫小鼠血清中抗体及其亚型;以MTT法测定特异性淋巴细胞增殖反应;ELISPOT检测细胞因子;流式检测T细胞亚型。结果：pcDNA-N DNA疫苗口服免疫后2周就可以诱生特异性IgG抗体,且以IgG2a占优势;诱导了较高水平的淋巴细胞特异性增殖反应和IFN-γ,主要以Th1免疫为主。结论：减毒沙门氏菌可以有效运送pcDNA-N重组质粒并诱导产生特异体液和细胞免疫应答,为减毒细菌作为DNA疫苗运送载体的研究提供了参考依据,也为SARS疫苗研究开辟了新方法。     

幽门螺杆菌napA基因在乳酸菌中的表达及免疫原性分析

本实验目的是在乳酸菌中表达幽门螺杆菌（Helicobacter pylori,H.pylori） 中性粒细胞激活蛋白(NAP),口服免疫小鼠后检测其免疫原性。在实验中利用了分子克隆技术构建携带nap基因的重组原核表达质粒pNICE:sec-nap,将重组质粒转化乳酸菌NZ9000株,筛选鉴定阳性菌落,诱导表达的NAP蛋白用SDS-PAGE和Western blot进行鉴定。将雌性ICR（CV级）小鼠随机分为4组,分别用PBS、携带空质粒的乳酸菌、携带pNICE:sec-nap的乳酸菌、灭活的H.pylori 灌胃。免疫7次后检测其特异性IgG和IgA的产生。成功扩增了nap基因并构建了重组原核表达质粒pNICE:sec-nap,转化乳酸菌NZ9000后经nisin诱导可表达Mr约17kDa的重组蛋白,表达量约占菌体总蛋白量的9.5%,表达的蛋白能与兔抗H.pylori 血清特异性反应,具有良好的免疫原性。携带pNICE:sec-nap质粒的乳酸菌刺激产生的IgG水平明显高于携带空质粒组,与灭活H.pylori组没有明显的差异,但其刺激产生的IgA水平明显高于其他组。以上结果说明表达NAP蛋白的乳酸菌口服免疫小鼠后,能够刺激小鼠产生特异的IgG和IgA,对幽门螺杆菌疫苗的研究开发具有理论的意义。为乳酸菌作为抗原递送载体的研究和H.pylori口服疫苗的开发提供一定的实验基础。     

Oral immunization of mice with engineered Lactobacillus gasseri NM713 strain expressing Streptococcus pyogenes M6 antigen

The aim of this in vivo study was to evaluate the effects of a recombinant probiotic strain, Lactobacillus gasseri NM713, which expresses the conserved region of streptococcal M6 protein (CRR6), as an oral vaccine against Streptococcus pyogenes. A dose of 10⁹ cells of the recombinant strain in 150 μL PBS buffer was administered orally to a group of mice. One control group received an equivalent dose of Lb. gasseri NM613 (containing the empty plasmid without insert) or and another control group received PBS buffer. Each group contained 30 mice. The immunization protocol was followed on three consecutive days, after which two booster doses were administered at two week intervals. Fecal and serum samples were collected from the mice on Days 18, 32, 46, 58 after the first immunization and Day 0 prior to immunization. Anti‐CRR6 IgA and IgG concentrations were measured by ELISA in fecal and sera samples, respectively, to assess immune responses. Vaccination with the recombinant Lb. gasseri NM713 strain induced significant protection after nasal challenge with S. pyogenes, only a small percentage of this group developing streptococcal infection (10%) or dying of it (3.3%) compared with the NM613 and PBS control groups, high percentages of which developed streptococcal infection (43.3% and 46.7%, respectively) and died of it (46.7% and 53%, respectively). These results indicate that recombinant Lb. gasseri NM713 has potential as an oral delivery vaccine against streptococcus group A.     

Sublingual immunization with an engineered Bacillus subtilis strain expressing tetanus toxin fragment C induces systemic and mucosal immune responses in piglets

Sublingual (SL) and intranasal (IN) administration of a Bacillus subtilis-based tetanus vaccine was tested in piglets, which more closely mimic the human immune system than mice. Piglets were immunized by the SL, IN or oral routes with vaccine expressing tetanus toxin fragment C, or commercial tetanus vaccine given by intramuscular injection as a control. Tetanus toxoid specific ELISA and passive neutralization tests were used to measure IgG and IgA levels in serum and mucosal secretions, and assess protective serum antibodies, respectively. The nature of the immune response was explored by MHC Class II, TGF-β1 expression, and ELISA assays for multiple cytokines. SL or IN immunization of piglets induced neutralizing tetanus toxoid specific serum antibody and local salivary and vaginal IgA responses. Standard tetanus vaccine resulted in systemic antibodies, whereas oral administration of the Bacillus-based vaccine was ineffective. Further analyses indicated a balanced Th1/Th2 response to SL or IN immunization. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates for the first time that SL or IN administration is effective for inducing both systemic and mucosal responses in a piglet model, indicating that SL or IN delivery of a B. subtilis-based tetanus vaccine can be a simple, non-invasive, low cost strategy to induce immunity to tetanus.     

Flagellin expressed by live Salmonella vaccine strains induces distinct antibody responses following delivery via systemic or mucosal immunization routes

Salmonella flagellin, expressed as flagella in live attenuated vaccine strains, elicits distinct systemic (IgG) and secreted (IgA) antibody responses in mice following delivery via mucosal (nasal/oral) or parenteral (intraperitoneal (i.p.)) immunization routes. Reduced flagellin-specific antibodies were detected either systemically or locally following delivery of flagellated derivatives of aroA Salmonella enterica serovar Dublin SL1438 via the nasal route, the most effective mucosal site for activation of immune responses in mice. In contrast, flagellin represents the most potent Salmonella antigen for the generation of specific serum antibody (IgG) responses following i.p. inoculations. The distinct immunogenic properties of Salmonella flagellin could not be ascribed to deficient colonization, reduced invasive ability or loss of the flagellin expression by the flagellated vaccine strains.     

重组乳酸乳球菌表达禽流感病毒HA1基因载体的构建及在禽流感病毒防治领域的应用

目的构建以重组乳酸乳球菌为基础的黏膜输送载体。方法以高致病性禽流感病毒H5N1的HA1基因作为研究对象,利用nisin诱导表达控制系统,构建分泌型与非分泌型重组乳酸乳球菌表达载体,经口服灌胃途径免疫BALB/c小鼠,通过ELISA检测小鼠血清IgG和粪便IgA,最后,对免疫后的小鼠进行H5N1病毒攻击实验,进而比较分泌型与非分泌型重组乳酸乳球菌表达载体的免疫效率。结果分泌型重组乳酸乳球菌免疫小鼠后产生的抗体水平（IgG和IgA）高于非分泌型重组乳酸乳球菌,经过同型H5N1病毒攻击后,分泌型重组乳酸乳球菌免疫的小鼠的存活率为80%,而非分泌型重组乳酸乳球菌免疫的小鼠的存活率为60%。结论本研究为防治高致病性禽流感病毒提供可行的思路与方法。     

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gag-specific mucosal immunity after oral immunization with papillomavirus pseudoviruses encoding gag

Mucosal surfaces are the primary portals for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. Because systemic immunization, in general, does not induce effective mucosal immune responses, a mucosal HIV vaccine is urgently needed. For this study, we developed papillomavirus pseudoviruses that express HIV-1 Gag. The pseudoviruses are synthetic, nonreplicating viruses, yet they can produce antigens for a long time in the immune system. Here we show that oral immunization of mice by the use of papillomavirus pseudoviruses encoding Gag generated mucosal and systemic Gag-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes that effectively lysed Gag-expressing target cells. Furthermore, the pseudoviruses generated Gag-specific gamma interferon-producing T cells and serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and mucosal IgA. In contrast, oral immunization with plasmid DNA encoding HIV-1 Gag did not induce specific immune responses. Importantly, oral immunization with the pseudoviruses induced Gag-specific memory cytotoxic T lymphocytes and protected mice against a rectal mucosal challenge with a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing HIV-1 Gag. Thus, papillomavirus pseudoviruses encoding Gag are a promising mucosal vaccine against AIDS.     

Mucosal delivery of ACNPV baculovirus driving expression of the Gal-lectin LC3 fragment confers protection against amoebic liver abscess in hamster

Mucosal vaccination against amoebiasis using the Gal-lectin of E. histolytica has been proposed as one of the leading strategies for controlling this human disease. However, most mucosal adjuvants used are toxic and the identification of safe delivery systems is necessary. Here, we evaluate the potential of a recombinant Autographa californica baculovirus driving the expression of the LC3 fragment of the Gal-lectin to confer protection against amoebic liver abscess (ALA) in hamsters following oral or nasal immunization. Hamsters immunized by oral route showed complete absence (57.9%) or partial development (21%) of ALA, resulting in some protection in 78.9% of animals when compared with the wild type baculovirus and sham control groups. In contrast, nasal immunization conferred only 21% of protection efficacy. Levels of ALA protection showed lineal correlation with the development of an anti-amoebic cellular immune response evaluated in spleens, but not with the induction of seric IgG anti-amoeba antibodies. These results suggest that baculovirus driving the expression of E. histolytica vaccine candidate antigens is useful for inducing protective cellular and humoral immune responses following oral immunization, and therefore it could be used as a system for mucosal delivery of an anti-amoebic vaccine.     

Analysis of immune response in young and aged mice vaccinated with corn-derived antigen against Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin

Enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli produce a heat-labile holotoxin (LT), which causes diarrhea. We engineered corn seeds to produce LT-B, the nontoxic subunit of LT, to serve as a plant-derived vaccine to traveler's diarrhea and as an adjuvant for co-administered proteins. We previously demonstrated that a strong mucosal and systemic antibody response is elicited in young mice with oral administration of corn-derived LT-B. The present study examined systemic and mucosal antibody responses to LT-B in young and aged mice, and recall responses to oral administration and injection of LT-B in aged mice. Specific IgA and IgG antibodies were detectable during an 11-mo period, although the concentration of antigen-specific antibodies declined gradually. Booster by feeding or injection dramatically increased the concentration of specific IgA from that seen in young mice. Specific IgG levels were boosted to concentrations similar to those in young mice. This effect may be age-dependent and related to prior immunization exposure. Analysis of the antibody response of naive aged mice against corn-derived LT-B demonstrated an age-related suppression in specific IgG production, but not specific IgA. These results may provide important information for edible vaccine strategies for young and aged individuals.     

轮状病毒灭活疫苗和减毒活疫苗序贯免疫的体液免疫应答效果

目的:评价采用轮状病毒灭活疫苗进行初始免疫,减毒活疫苗进行加强免疫的序贯免疫方案的体液免疫应答效果。方法:将实验小鼠随机分为4组(口服疫苗组、序贯疫苗组、口服对照组及序贯对照组),按相应方案免疫后,ELISA检测血清轮状病毒特异性IgG和IgA、肠道轮状病毒特异性IgA;微量中和实验检测血清病毒特异性中和抗体;同时采用ELISA分析口服活疫苗后病毒排出情况。结果:与对照组相比,序贯疫苗组小鼠产生的轮状病毒特异性血清IgG、IgA、中和抗体及肠道IgA水平显著升高。与口服疫苗组相比,序贯疫苗组的免疫方案诱发的轮状病毒特异性血清IgG、IgA、中和抗体水平显著升高,肠道IgA水平两组间没有显著差异。同时,与口服疫苗组相比,序贯疫苗组中轮状病毒灭活疫苗进行的初始免疫未影响第一次口服活疫苗后病毒的排出量和排出时间,但序贯疫苗组第二次口服活疫苗后病毒的排出量迅速减少,排毒时间快速缩短,与口服疫苗组第三次服苗后病毒的排出量和排出时间相似。结论: 轮状病毒灭活疫苗和减毒活疫苗序贯免疫可有效诱发小鼠全身和黏膜局部的体液免疫应答,该方案将有可能成为轮状病毒疫苗临床应用的候选方案。     

HIV mucosal vaccine: nasal immunization with rBCG-V3J1 induces a long term V3J1 peptide-specific neutralizing immunity in Th1- and Th2-deficient conditions.

In the vaccine strategy against HIV, bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), a live attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis, is considered to be one of potential vectors for mucosal delivery of vaccine Ag. We analyzed the induction of the Ag-specific Ab response by nasal immunization with recombinant BCG vector-based vaccine (rBCG-V3J1) that can secrete the V3 principal neutralizing epitope of HIV. Mice were nasally immunized with rBCG-V3J1 (10 microg) three times at weekly intervals. Four weeks after the initial immunization, high titers of V3J1-specific IgG Abs were seen in serum. These high levels of HIV-specific serum IgG responses were maintained for >12 mo following nasal immunization without any booster immunization. V3J1-specific IgG-producing cells were detected in mononuclear cells isolated from spleen, nasal cavity, and salivary gland of the nasally vaccinated mice. Nasal rBCG-V3J1 also induced high levels of prolonged HIV-specific serum IgG responses in Th1 (IFN-gamma(-/-))- or Th2 (IL-4(-/-))-immunodeficient mice. Further, IgG3 was highest among V3 peptide-specific IgG subclass Ab responses in these immunodeficient mice as well as in wild-type mice. In addition, this Ag-specific serum IgG Abs induced by nasal immunization with rBCG-V3J1 possessed the ability to neutralize clinical isolate of HIV in vitro. These results suggested that the nasal rBCG-V3J1 system might be used as a therapeutic vaccine in addition to a prophylaxis vaccine for the control of AIDS.     

Evaluation of Mucosal and Systemic Immune Responses Elicited by GPI-0100- Adjuvanted Influenza Vaccine Delivered by Different Immunization Strategies

Vaccines for protection against respiratory infections should optimally induce a mucosal immune response in the respiratory tract in addition to a systemic immune response. However, current parenteral immunization modalities generally fail to induce mucosal immunity, while mucosal vaccine delivery often results in poor systemic immunity. In order to find an immunization strategy which satisfies the need for induction of both mucosal and systemic immunity, we compared local and systemic immune responses elicited by two mucosal immunizations, given either by the intranasal (IN) or the intrapulmonary (IPL) route, with responses elicited by a mucosal prime followed by a systemic boost immunization. The study was conducted in BALB/c mice and the vaccine formulation was an influenza subunit vaccine supplemented with GPI-0100, a saponin-derived adjuvant. While optimal mucosal antibody titers were obtained after two intrapulmonary vaccinations, optimal systemic antibody responses were achieved by intranasal prime followed by intramuscular boost. The latter strategy also resulted in the best T cell response, yet, it was ineffective in inducing nose or lung IgA. Successful induction of secretory IgA, IgG and T cell responses was only achieved with prime-boost strategies involving intrapulmonary immunization and was optimal when both immunizations were given via the intrapulmonary route. Our results underline that immunization via the lungs is particularly effective for priming as well as boosting of local and systemic immune responses.