利用小鼠模型评价含有5‘—GTCGTT—3’特征序列的人CpG寡脱氧核苷酸的免疫刺激活性

为了寻找合适的动物模型来评价人CpG寡脱氧核苷酸（CpG－ODN）的活性,研究了CpG2006等含有5‘－GTCGTT－3‘特征序列的人CpG－ODN对小鼠的免疫刺激活性。在体外它们能够促进小鼠脾淋巴细胞转化,促进B细胞分泌IgM ,但不能诱生高水平的IFN－γ。研究了CpG2006等序列在体内作为疫苗佐剂对HBsAg免疫效果的影响,发现：（1）人CpG－ODN能够明显提高抗－HBs抗体水平,并逆转Al(OH)3对T 卤类免疫应答的抑制;(2)初免时以CpG2006为佐剂可以使免疫应答“销定”在Thl类免疫应答,而加强免疫时以CpG2006为佐剂可以在一定程度上逆转初免时Al（OH）3诱生的Th2类免疫应答;（3）CpG2006联合Al(OH)3作为佐剂的单剂量疫苗的免疫效果强于两剂量以Al(OH)3为佐剂的常规疫苗,上述结果表明：小鼠可以作为动物模型用于含有5‘－GTCGTT－3‘特征序列的人CpG－ODN免疫效果的研究。     

具有免疫刺激活性的非甲基化寡核苷酸链的研究进展

富含非甲基化碱基CG的寡核苷酸链（CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides,CpG-ODN）,具有免疫刺激活性.其骨架及侧翼核苷酸序列决定CpG-ODN免疫效应的强度及特异性.最近研究发现,通过对CpG-ODN中核苷酸上的基团进行化学修饰,或改变侧翼核苷酸序列均能影响CpG-ODN的免疫活性、种属及细胞特异性.这对CpG-ODN的深入研究和应用具有一定的指导价值.     

结构域Ⅰ缺失的丙型肝炎病毒5＇NCR调控荧光素酶基因的表达

目的：分析丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）5＇端非编码区（NCR）的结构域Ⅰ序列在其翻译启动活性中的作用.方法：以质粒pCMVNCRluc为模板,PCR扩增分别得到缺失5＇端20nt和43nt的HCV 5＇NCR片段,并分别替换pCMVNCRluc中的完整HCV 5NCR,构建结构域Ⅰ缺失的HCV 5＇NCR调控萤火虫荧光素酶（luc）基因表达的真核表达质粒（pCNl-d1、pCNl-d2）.以脂质体方法转染人肝癌细胞株HepG2,用双荧光素酶报告基因检测系统检测荧光素酶相对于内参考的海肾荧光素酶表达活性,同时采用RT-PCR方法检测转染后细胞中萤火虫荧光素酶基因的相对表达水平.结果：酶切和测序结果表明,各重组质粒构建成功.各重组质粒转染细胞后luc mRNA的相对表达水平与pCMVNCRluc相比差异无显著性（P＞0.05）;pCNl-d1、pCNl-d2表达的荧光素酶活性与pCMVNCRluc差异无显著性（P＞0.05）.结论：HCV 5NCR的5＇端20nt和43nt序列缺失不影响它的翻译启动活性.     

CpG ODN对破骨细胞分化调控作用的研究进展

CpG ODN（CpG oligodeoxynucleotides）是一类可模拟细菌DNA免疫活性效应的寡脱氧核苷酸,其生物学功能受自身结构特征影响。特定序列的CpG ODN可通过与破骨细胞前体、前破骨细胞、成骨细胞表面的TLR9结合,调节RANKL、M-CSF、TNF-α、IL-12、TREM-2等细胞因子的表达水平,促进或抑制破骨细胞的形成与分化。本文就CpG ODN对破骨细胞（osteoclast,OC）分化调控作用的研究进展加以综述。     

佐剂CpG-ODN与重组HBsAg疫苗联合免疫乙型肝炎病毒转基因小鼠的免疫应答研究

目的 以CpG-ODN为佐剂与重组HBsAg(rHBsAg)疫苗合用,研究其对乙型肝炎病毒转基因(HBV Tg)小鼠模型的免疫应答效果.方法 40只HBV Tg小鼠随机分为4组,每组小鼠分别注射rHBsAg疫苗(单用rHBsAg组)、rHBsAg疫苗+CpG-ODN(试验组)、rIFNα-2b(IFN组)、生理盐水(对照组).经多次免疫HBV转基因小鼠,于免疫前、后不同时间采血,动态观察各组小鼠血清中HBsAg量、抗-HBs阳性率和HBV DNA的变化,检测肝组织中HBsAg的表达.检测免疫小鼠的外周血T淋巴细胞亚群和白细胞介素2(IL-2)、IL-12(p70)以及γ干扰素(IFN-γ)的含量,分别检测免疫小鼠的脾细胞增殖和细胞毒性T淋巴细胞(CTL)杀伤功能并计算各组小鼠肝组织活性指数(HAI).结果 rHBsAg组和rHBsAg+CpG组在免疫小鼠后2周100%诱导抗-HBs;rHBsAg+CpG组能显著降低血清中的HBsAg量或使HBsAg转阴,rHBsAg+CpG组肝组织中HBsAg的表达量与血清中一样降低,并降低血清中HBV DNA的拷贝数.rHBsAg组的CD3+、CD4+、CD8+细胞在T细胞中所占百分比,IL-2、IL-12(p70)和IFN-γ的含量以及淋巴细胞特异性增殖和杀伤效应均明显高于对照组(P＜0.05).rHBsAg+CpG组与rHBsAg组比较,免疫小鼠产生更强的HBV特异性细胞应答(P＜0.05),且以Th1型细胞免疫应答为主.在rHBsAg+CpG组肝组织中出现大量淋巴细胞,肝脏的HAI在4个组中最高.结论 CpG-ODN作为佐剂可以增强重组HBsAg疫苗诱导HBV转基因小鼠产生抗病毒免疫应答,重组HBsAg疫苗辅以CpG ODN可作为免疫治疗慢性HBV感染的可行性途经.     

CpG联合铝佐剂增强RBD-Fc重组蛋白诱导小鼠免疫反应效果的研究

由严重急性呼吸系统综合征冠状病毒2(Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2,SARS-CoV-2)引起的2019冠状病毒病（Coronavirus disease 2019,COVID-19）大流行对全球健康和经济构成了严重威胁,SARS-CoV-2关切变异株（Variants of concern,VOCs）的出现更增加了疫苗研发的难度,因此,优化设计对突变株具有广谱免疫反应的疫苗显得尤为重要。本研究选取具有大量显性中和表位的受体结合域（Receptor-binding domain,RBD）蛋白作为目标抗原,在SARS-CoV-2经典株RBD序列的基础上引入多个VOCs的关键突变位点,将其与人IgG1 Fc片段融合表达,并结合CpG单佐剂、氢氧化铝单佐剂或CpG与氢氧化铝复合佐剂两剂次免疫小鼠,比较CpG联合铝佐剂相比单独使用铝或CpG佐剂诱导细胞免疫和体液免疫反应的增强作用,同时观察小鼠产生抗不同VOCs活病毒的交叉中和抗体滴度。结果显示,与单佐剂相比,RBD-Fc蛋白结合CpG与氢氧化铝复合佐剂免疫小鼠可产生最高的IgG结...     

CpG免疫刺激DNA序列及其在疫苗佐剂中的应用

CpG免疫刺激DNA序列（ISS）是一种新型疫苗佐剂,可不同程度地提高多种类型疫苗的抗原特异性的免疫反应。按照结构特点的不同,可将CpGISS分为3种类型。CpGISS能够刺激B细胞和浆样树突状细胞,促进机体产生Th1和前炎症细胞因子,且促进抗原呈递细胞的激活和成熟。目前已完成的临床实验结果表明,CpG作为人用佐剂安全,且在一定程度上能够增加疫苗的免疫反应。     

质粒骨架的CpG修饰对DNA疫苗免疫原性的影响

目的：探讨不同类型的CpG对DNA疫苗免疫应答的影响。方法：将3种不同类型的CpG通过骨架改造的方式引入核酸疫苗的质粒载体骨架中作为内源性佐剂,以LacZ为模式抗原,对其免疫小鼠后特异性抗体水平、细胞免疫水平和细胞因子水平进行比较和分析。结果：3种不同类型的CpG序列在体内能够不同程度地增强免疫小鼠的特异性抗体水平和细胞免疫水平,并且不同类型的CpG序列可能具有不同的免疫调节作用。结论：作为内源性佐剂,CpG免疫刺激DNA序列可不同程度地提高模式抗原特异性的免疫反应,可根据不同抗原的特点加以利用。     

人类基因组上CpG岛的定位和系统分析

为了研究CpG岛产生和消失机制以及位于基因启动子区域外的CpG岛保守性等问题,我们通过序列比对和进化保守性分析等方法,分析在人类和小鼠中保守的基因上的CpG岛。结果显示已有保守序列的突变以及序列插入删除是CpG岛产生和消失的主要原因,进一步分析发现52%的在小鼠基因组上保守序列完全缺失的CpG岛位于两个转座子之间,提示转座子所介导的序列插入是CpG岛形成和消失的重要原因。人类基因组上在启动子区域外的CpG岛中约有79%为新产生的CpG岛,显著高于启动子区域内新产生的CpG岛比例(41%)。GO分析表明与这些CpG岛相关的部分基因与神经系统发育显著相关,提示新产生的CpG岛参与神经发育过程。     

人呼吸道合胞病毒F-Fc蛋白不同免疫方案对小鼠免疫效果的比较

人呼吸道合胞病毒（Human respiratory syncytial virus,hRSV）是全球婴幼儿和老年人严重呼吸道疾病的主要原因。hRSV感染主要局限于呼吸道，当鼻黏膜中特异性IgA抗体滴度较低时容易引起hRSV反复感染，理想的hRSV疫苗应诱导全身免疫应答，尤其是黏膜免疫。本研究应用CHO细胞表达融合蛋白F-Fc（含有hRSV F蛋白和人IgG1抗体的Fc片段），F-Fc蛋白结合CpG佐剂两次免疫小鼠，比较滴鼻免疫（Intranasal,in）和肌肉注射（Intramuscular,im）免疫安全性和有效性的差异。与佐剂对照组（CpG）相比，四种免疫方式（CpG+F-Fc/in+im,CpG+F-Fc/im+in,CpG+F-Fc/im+im和CpG+F-Fc/in+in）均能诱导高滴度中和抗体，高水平及Th1偏向的细胞免疫应答，减少肺脏病毒的滴度，但是两次滴鼻免疫组小鼠效果是最好的。同时，两次滴鼻免疫组小鼠诱导的IgA抗体最多，小鼠体重恢复速度最快，并且可以显著降低肺脏病理损伤。综上所述，在以上四种免疫方案中，两次滴鼻免疫诱导产生的免疫效果最优。     

Identification of cytosine-phosphorothioate-guanine oligodeoxynucleotide sequences that induce interferon-γ production in feline immune cells

Unmethylated CpG-ODN are known to enhance Th1-type immune response. However, optimal sequences of CpG-ODN for activating Th1-type immune cells vary among species. It is necessary to identify the effective CpG-ODN sequences in each species. In the present study, in order to identify the sequences of CpG-ODN that produce fIFN-γ in cats, 14 kinds of ODN were synthesized and examined regarding their ability to induce fIFN-γ in feline PBMC and splenocytes. It was shown that some CpG-ODN significantly induced fIFN-γ production in splenocytes, but not in PBMC. We found that three kinds of CpG-ODN (no. 2, 5'-ggTGCATCGATGCAGggggG-3'; no. 5, 5'-ggTGCGTCGACGCAGggggG-3'; no. 10, 5'-ggTGCTACGTAGCAGggggG-3') specifically and significantly induced fIFN-γ production in feline splenocytes. The reverse sequences, GpC-ODN, do not cause significant fIFN-γ production. The fIFN-γ production inductivity of a mixture of CpG-ODN nos. 2, 5 and 10 was higher than those of individual CpG-ODN. When the CpG-ODN mixture was encapsulated in an MCL and administrated to cats, the number of fIFN-γ(+) cells in PBMC significantly increased. CpG-ODN nos. 2, 5 and 10 should be useful to elicit a Th1-type immune response as a vaccine adjuvant in cats.     

Resistance to influenza A virus infection by antigen-conjugated CpG oligonucleotides, a novel antigen-specific immunomodulator

Oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) containing CpG motifs (CpG) act as modulators that bias the immune response towards a Th1-dominant phenotype. To investigate this effect further, we examined the protective effects of a covalently linked conjugate between CpG-ODN and HA-2kd antigen in mice infected with influenza A virus. The conjugated form of CpG-ODN and HA-2kd was more efficient in regulating influenza A virus than the unconjugated mixture of CpG-ODN and HA-2kd. The antigen-conjugated CpG-ODN induced an immune response with a Th1-dominant cytokine pattern characterized by the secretion of high levels of HA-2kd-specific interferon-gamma and IgG2a (Th1), which were only slightly induced by HA-2kd alone. These findings support the use of CpG-ODN-Ag conjugates as novel Ag-specific immunomodulators and suggest that CpG-ODN-HA-2kd might be a promising immune therapy for patients with influenza virus.     

Adjuvant effect of CpG-oligodeoxynucleotide in anti-fungal chemotherapy against fatal infection with Cryptococcus neoformans in mice

Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis is a life-threatening infectious disease in immunocompromised patients. Unmethylated CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODN) protects hosts in a mouse model. In the present study, we tested the adjuvant effect of CpG-ODN in anti-fungal chemotherapy. Administration of either fluconazole (FLCZ) or CpG-ODN was effective in extending survival, accelerating clearance of fungi and preventing disseminated infection. Combination of both agents provided more beneficial effect than either agent alone. Cytokine balance in the infected lungs was biased to Th1-type response by CpGODN, while FLCZ did not further promote. These results suggest that CpG-ODN is a promising adjuvant in chemotherapy against this infection.     

Vaccination with Leishmania soluble antigen and immunostimulatory oligodeoxynucleotides induces specific immunity and protection against Leishmania donovani infection

In this report, we investigated the effect of ODN containing immunostimulatory CG motifs as adjuvant with soluble antigen (SA) from Leishmania donovani. BALB/c mice were vaccinated with the soluble antigen with or without CpG-ODN as adjuvant and then challenged with L. donovani metacyclic promastigotes. CpG-ODN alone resulted in partial protection against challenge with L. donovani. Immunization of mice with SA and CpG-ODN showed enhanced reduction in parasite load ( approximately 60%) when compared to SA ( approximately 40%) immunized mice. Immunization with SA by itself resulted in a mixed Th1/Th2 response whereas co-administration of SA with CpG-ODN resulted in a strong Th1 promoting isotype as they together promoted production of immunoglobulin G2a. Leishmania-specific Th1 cytokine response was induced by co-administering CpG-ODN and SA as they together promoted production of IFN-gamma and IL-12. In the present study, we demonstrate that immunostimulatory phosphorothioate-modified ODN are promising immune enhancers for vaccination against visceral leishmaniaisis.     

CpG penta- and hexadeoxyribonucleotides as potent immunomodulatory agents

We demonstrate a new design for immunomodulatory CpG DNA containing two sequences each with as few as five or six-nucleotides joined together via 3(')-3(') linkers. These do not require the -PuPu(Py)CGPyPy- hexameric motif generally found essential for CpG DNA immune stimulation. These novel, short-immunomers show potent immunostimulatory activity manifested by IL-12 and IL-6 secretion in murine spleen cell and PBMC cultures and splenomegaly in vivo. Short-immunomers show strong activation of NF-kappaB and stress-activated signaling pathways and induce cytokines in J774 cell cultures. The same sequences also induce cytokines in healthy human PBMC cultures whereas conventional CpG DNA requires different optimal sequences for murine and human immune cells. Additionally, short-immunomers inhibit IL-5 secretion and induce IFN-gamma secretion in conalbumin-sensitized mouse spleen cell cultures, suggesting reversal of established Th2 responses to Th1 type responses. Short-immunomer also inhibits growth of MCF-7 human tumor xenograft in nude mice. This is the first report of activity with such short DNA sequences and also of sequences lacking hexameric motifs proposed in earlier studies.     

Oligodeoxynucleotides containing CpG motifs induce low levels of TNF-alpha in human B lymphocytes: possible adjuvants for Th1 responses

Oligodeoxynucleotides containing CpG motifs (CpG-ODN) represent potential adjuvants for specific immunotherapy of type I allergies because they foster Th1-like immune responses. However, previous work has shown that CpG-ODN induce systemically active levels of TNF-alpha in murine macrophages. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the release of TNF-alpha in human cells by a CpG-ODN proven to induce Th1 immune responses in cells from atopic individuals and in mice. CpG-ODN induced TNF-alpha in cells from atopic and healthy individuals. However, the amounts were low, as determined by comparison with commonly used Ags. Intracellular cytokine staining of PBMC revealed that CpG-ODN-induced TNF-alpha derived exclusively from B lymphocytes. TNF-alpha contributed to the CpG-ODN-augmented proliferation and Ig synthesis in PBMC, but was not involved in IFN-gamma synthesis. In conclusion, our findings indicate that certain CpG-ODN induce low amounts of TNF-alpha in human B lymphocytes and may therefore be used to modulate Th2-biased immune responses in allergic patients.     

Combination of CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides with recombinant ROP2 or GRA4 proteins induces protective immunity against Toxoplasma gondii infection

Synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides containing unmethylated CpG motifs (CpG-ODN) have been characterized as Th1-promoting immunopotentiators, an adjuvant activity desirable for vaccination against intracellular parasites like Toxoplasma gondii. In an attempt to find new antigen–adjuvant combinations that enhance the immunogenicity of antigen candidates for toxoplasma vaccines, we analyzed the extent of protection in mice immunized with ROP2 and GRA4 recombinant proteins when co-administered with CpG-ODN. Both GRA4 + CpG-ODN and ROP2 + CpG-ODN formulations were shown to induce a strong humoral Th1-biased response characterized by a high IgG_2a to IgG₁ antibody ratio. Both vaccination regimens led to increased secretion of IFN-γ and IL-10, and negligible amounts of IL-4, upon specific re-stimulation of spleen cells from these groups of mice. After a non-lethal challenge with tissue cysts of a moderately virulent strain, only the brains from mice vaccinated with ROP2 or GRA4 in combination with CpG-ODN showed a significant reduction (63% and 62%, respectively) in their parasite load compared to the controls. The rate of protection obtained with GRA4 + ROP2 + CpG-ODN resulted equivalent (66%) to those achieved with the single antigens plus CpG-ODN. Taken together, these results indicate that CpG-ODN is an important candidate adjuvant for use in potential multicomponent anti-T. gondii vaccines for animals and humans.     

The immunomodulating properties of human respiratory syncytial virus and immunostimulating complexes containing Quillaja saponin components QH-A, QH-C and ISCOPREP703

A successful vaccine against human RSV (HRSV) is likely to induce a Th1 or a balanced Th1/TH2 cytokine response. We tested a panel of HRSV immunostimulating complexes (ISCOMs) containing different Quillaja saponin fractions (QH-A, QH-C, and 703: a mixture of 70% QH-A and 30% QH-C) with different immunological properties for their capacity of inducing innate and acquired immune responses. The HRSV 703 ISCOMs induced the strongest innate and acquired immune responses, followed by RSV QH-C and QH-A ISCOMs. All three formulations induced various degrees of Th1 bias response with prominent production of IFN-gamma being 10-50 times higher than that of IL-4 and IL-5. The HRSV specific IgG isotype profile correlated with the predominant secretion of Th1 cytokines, with strong induction of IgG2a antibodies. The 703 ISCOMs induced the most pronounced Th1 profile followed by QH-C and QH-A ISCOMs. The high incorporation of F protein in these ISCOMs compared to G protein combined with the Th1 biased nature of ISCOM are likely to be the causes to promote a Th1 type of profile. The prospect to formulate an RSV ISCOM formulation with an optimal Th1/Th2 balance is in reach particularly in view of the versatile properties of the ISCOM concept.     

Poly(I:C)/Alum Mixed Adjuvant Priming Enhances HBV Subunit Vaccine-Induced Immunity in Mice When Combined with Recombinant Adenoviral-Based HBV Vaccine Boosting

Background

Virus-specific cellular immune responses play a critical role in virus clearance during acute or chronic HBV infection. Currently, the commercially available HBV vaccine is combined with alum adjuvant, which stimulates mainly Th2 immune responses. Therefore, development of new therapeutic HBV vaccine adjuvants and immune strategies that also promote Th1 and CTL responses is urgently needed.

Methodology/Principal findings

To improve the immunity induced by the novel HBSS1 HBV vaccine, we evaluated the ability of adjuvants, including alum, CpG and polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid [poly(I:C)], to enhance the response when boosted with the recombinant adenoviral vector vaccine rAdSS1. The immune responses to different adjuvant combinations were assessed in C57BL/6 mice by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), ELISpot and cytokine release assays. Among the combinations tested, a HBV protein particle vaccine with CpG/alum and poly(I:C)/alum priming combinations accelerated specific seroconversion and produced high antibody (anti-PreS1, anti-S antibody) titres with a Th1 bias. After boosting with recombinant adenoviral vector vaccine rAdSS1, both groups produced a strong multi-antigen (S and PreS1)-specific cellular immune response. HBSS1 immunisation with poly(I:C)/alum priming also generated high-level CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell responses in terms of Th1 cytokines (IFN-γand IL-2).

Conclusions

The protein-vaccine HBSS1 with mixed poly(I:C)/alum adjuvant priming, followed by a rAdSS1 vaccine boost, maximises specific antibody and Th1-biased cellular immune responses. This regime might prove useful in the development of HBV therapeutic vaccines. Furthermore, this promising strategy might be applied to vaccines against other persistent infections, such as human immunodeficiency virus and tuberculosis.     

Evaluation of the protective immune response induced in mice by immunization with Schistosoma mansoni schistosomula tegument (Smteg) in association with CpG-ODN

In schistosomiasis, the current control strategy does not prevent reinfection, therefore, vaccine strategies are essential to combat the Schistosoma mansoni. The efficacy vaccine depends on parasite stage and effective adjuvant. We have recently demonstrated that S. mansoni schistosomula tegument (Smteg) is able to activate dendritic cells up regulate CD40 and CD86 molecules and induce a partial protection in mice (43–48%) when formulated with Freund's adjuvant. In this study we evaluated the ability of Smteg + alum or Smteg + alum + CpG-ODN to induce protection in mice. Our results demonstrate that Smteg + alum + CpG-ODN induced a partial reduction in worm burden (43.1%), reduction in the number of eggs eliminated in the feces. The protective response was associated with a predominant Th1 type of immune response, with increased production of specific IgG2c, IFN-γ and TNF-α, B cells proliferation and CD4 cells and macrophages activation.