多种HIVB′/C亚型基因在复制型DNA疫苗中表达及免疫效果研究

为了解多种HIVB′/C亚型基因在复制型DNA疫苗中表达水平及对免疫效果影响,使用复制型DNA疫苗载体pSCK2,分别构建了7种含单种或多种HIVB′/C亚型基因gagpol、gp160和rtn(rev、tat和nef融合基因)的DNA疫苗质粒。免疫荧光检测表明,Gag、Gp160、Rev、Tat和Nef蛋白均能从相应7种DNA疫苗中表达,单基因表达质粒中的基因表达水平和双基因表达质粒中IRES上游的基因表达水平普遍较好。小鼠免疫后,Gag能诱发较高的抗体滴度,Gp160、Pol和RTN的抗体滴度很低;比较研究显示,Gag单独表达和Gag与RTN双表达的质粒均能诱发较好的Gag抗体反应,但Gag与Gp160双表达质粒免疫或含Gag、Gp160和RTN质粒联合免疫的Gag抗体反应均较弱。ELISPOT检测表明,7种DNA疫苗单独或不同组合方式免疫均能诱发针对Gag、Pol、Gp160、Tat和Nef的细胞免疫反应;单基因表达质粒单独免疫诱发的细胞免疫反应最好,含gagpol和gp160双基因表达质粒单独免疫或与含其它基因质粒联合免疫诱发的Gag、Pol和Gp160细胞免疫明显低于含Gagpol或Gp160单基因质粒诱发的相应免疫反应,但诱发的Tat和Nef细胞免疫与相应单基因质粒免疫组无明显差别。本研究结果显示,不同表达构建体的多种HIVB'/C亚型的基因gagpol、gp160和rtn均能从pSCK2质粒中较好地表达;不同基因结构和不同组合免疫的优化,特别是含gag和gp160基因疫苗联合免疫程序的进一步优化对提高其免疫效果是必要的。     

5个HIV基因修饰可明显提高其在不同系统中的表达

目的:确定HIV-1疫苗中有效的交叉保护性细胞免疫抗原,提高各个基因在相应疫苗载体中的表达水平,为研究不同抗原在DNA载体和痘苗病毒载体中的免疫原性奠定实验基础。方法:选择HIV B′/C亚型5个以细胞免疫为主的抗原(Gag、Pol、Rev、Tat和Nef),进行基因序列优化及表达结构改造,并分别构建以质粒DNA和重组痘苗病毒为载体的两大类HIV-1疫苗。结果:优化前后5个目的基因均能够在这2种载体中有效表达;虽然采用相同的基因修饰策略,但与痘苗病毒载体相比,在DNA载体中各基因表达水平的提高均较为明显;含有抑制性序列(INS)的gag、pol基因经密码子优化后,Gag、Pol蛋白的表达均明显提高,其中Pol蛋白的提高更为明显,单独pol基因比gagpol天然结构表达水平要高,而gag基因却变化不大;对于rev、tat、nef基因而言,优化后的单独基因结构要略高于优化后的融合结构(hRTN),且二者均高于未优化的融合结构(RTN)。结论:为进一步确定HIV-1疫苗中有效的交叉保护性细胞免疫抗原、研究不同抗原在DNA载体和痘苗病毒载体中的免疫原性奠定了实验基础,为进一步研究DNA疫苗和重组痘苗病毒疫苗联合免疫提供了实验依据。     

HIV-1 C／B’亚型多价重组MVA病毒疫苗免疫原性的研究

目的:检测人类免疫缺陷病毒1型(HIV-1) C/B'亚型与痘苗病毒安卡拉株(MVA)的多价重组疫苗的免疫原性,此疫苗中包含HIV-1 C/B'CRF 株的5个基因,分别是env,gag,pol,nef,tat.方法:设105pfu/ml,106 pfu/ml,107 pfu/ml ADMVA 3个剂量组,用ELISPOT方法检测细胞免疫反应.同时,以Gag蛋白作为包被抗原,使用间接ELISA的方法检测体液免疫反应.结果:免疫后的小鼠对插入基因env,gag,pol和nef所表达蛋白均产生了特异性细胞免疫应答,且免疫效果与免疫剂量呈正相关.ELISA结果表明, MVA重组疫苗免疫诱导产生了特异性体液免疫,抗HIV-1Gag的抗体滴度与免疫次数和免疫剂量都存在正相关性.结论:多价MVA重组疫苗能有效地诱导小鼠产生特异的细胞免疫和体液免疫反应.     

HIV-1 C/B'亚型多价重组MVA病毒疫苗

目的：检测人类免疫缺陷病毒1型（HIV-1） C/B'亚型与痘苗病毒安卡拉株（MVA）的多价重组疫苗的免疫原性,此疫苗中包含HIV-1 C/B'CRF 株的五个基因,分别是env、gag、pol、nef、tat。方法：设105 pfu/mL 、106 pfu/mL、107 pfu/mL ADMVA三个剂量组,用ELISPOT方法检测细胞免疫反应。同时,以Gag蛋白作为包被抗原,使用间接ELISA的方法检测体液免疫反应。结果：免疫后的小鼠对插入基因env、gag、pol和nef所表达蛋白均产生了特异性细胞免疫应答,且免疫效果与免疫剂量呈正相关。ELISA结果表明, MVA重组疫苗免疫诱导产生了特异性体液免疫,抗HIV-1Gag的抗体滴度与免疫次数和免疫剂量都存在正相关性。结论：多价MVA重组疫苗能有效地诱导小鼠产生特异地细胞免疫和体液免疫反应。     

HIV-1复制型DNA疫苗与非复制型重组痘苗病毒疫苗在小鼠体内细胞免疫效果的研究

目的:用HIV-1复制型DNA疫苗和非复制型重组痘苗病毒疫苗(rNTV-C)进行单独免疫和联合免疫的研究(2种疫苗分别包含HIV-1 B’/C亚型的gp160、gag-pol、rev-tat-nef等6种基因),以了解这2种新型HIV疫苗单独免疫及联合免疫的效果,并为临床免疫方案的制定提供实验依据。方法:将HIV-1 DNA疫苗和rNTV-C疫苗免疫BALB/c小鼠,设计rNTV-C单独免疫组、DNA单独免疫组,以及DNA初免、rNTV-C加强的联合免疫组,并设计不同免疫途径和不同剂量的各种组合。用IFN-γELISPOT检测各组的细胞免疫效果,用统计学方法分析比较各组细胞免疫效果的差异。结果:DNA疫苗和rNTV-C疫苗单独免疫时,二者都能诱发针对各抗原的特异性免疫反应;联合免疫能够诱发比DNA或rNTV-C单独免疫都强的特异性细胞免疫反应。统计分析显示,2种疫苗采用肌肉注射途径的免疫效果显著高于皮内注射,1μg和5μg DNA疫苗的免疫效果差异不显著,而1×108 PFU的rNTV-C比2×107PFU的免疫效果要强。结论:联合免疫策略能够显著增强HIV-1疫苗各抗原的免疫原性,通过对2种HIV-1疫苗单独免疫及二者联合免疫的细胞免疫反应的分析比较,确定了较好的免疫方案,为疫苗临床前免疫效果评价和临床方案的制定提供了实验依据。     

减毒痢疾菌为载体的HIV gag DNA疫苗的免疫原性

最近有报道指出,减毒侵袭性活菌可作为DNA疫苗的载体而被应用。在本研究中,我们将血清型为2a rfbF志贺氏菌属福氏痢疾杆菌变异株用于编码HIV-1 SF2 Gag蛋白的DNA疫苗的免疫。重组的细菌载体将gag DNA递呈给哺乳动物细胞,实现了Gag蛋白的表达,     

电脉冲和布吡卡因增强A型肉毒毒素DNA核酸疫苗的免疫效果

目的：考查DNA疫苗注射免疫后电脉冲和布吡卡因佐剂化DNA疫苗递送方式对A型肉毒毒素DNA核酸疫苗免疫效果的影响。方法：A型肉毒毒素DNA复制子疫苗和传统DNA疫苗肌肉注射免疫小鼠后电脉冲和布吡卡因佐剂化DNA后再肌肉注射免疫小鼠;检测免疫小鼠的抗体和细胞水平,并分析抗体亚类。结果：电脉冲和布吡卡因这二种递送方式均增强DNA复制子疫苗和传统DNA疫苗的体液免疫和细胞免疫效果;电脉冲提高DNA疫苗免疫效果更为明显,并且电脉冲和布吡卡因组合这种递送方式增强DNA疫苗体液免疫和细胞免疫水平最高;与传统DNA疫苗相比,A型肉毒毒素DNA复制子疫苗在这些递送方式下均诱导产生了更好的特异性体液免疫和细胞免疫应答,并且这些递送方式没有改变DNA疫苗的Th1/Th2免疫应答特性,即DNA复制子疫苗诱导产生Th1/Th2混合免疫应答但偏向于Th2途经,而传统DNA疫苗则完全偏向于Th2途经。结论：电脉冲和布吡卡因增强DNA复制子疫苗和传统DNA疫苗的免疫效果,是提高DNA疫苗免疫原性的良好策略。     

鸡传染性喉气管炎病毒gB基因重组DNA疫苗的构建与免疫试验

本研究构建了编码ILTV主要抗原gB基因的重组DNA疫苗pcDNA-gB,质粒转染293-T细胞的间接免疫表明其表达的蛋白具有免疫反应性.为测定该DNA疫苗的免疫效果,将其与本室保存的重组鸡痘病毒rFPV-gB-gD-IgY分别以单独和混合的方式给4周龄非免疫鸡进行免疫,然后测定ILTV特异性抗体和T淋巴细胞增殖反应.结果表明这2种基因工程疫苗均能诱导鸡产生特异性的体液免疫及细胞免疫应答.其中以pcDNA-gB/rFPV-gB-gD-IgY联合免疫组的效果最好,其诱导的抗体水平已接近于常规弱毒疫苗,而细胞免疫水平则比后者高得多.上述研究结果为ILTV 新型疫苗的研究奠定了基础.     

鸡传染性喉气管炎病毒gB基因重组DNA疫苗的构建与免疫试验

本研究构建了编码ILTV主要抗原gB基因的重组DNA疫苗pcDNA-gB,质粒转染293-T细胞的间接免疫表明其表达的蛋白具有免疫反应性。为测定该DNA疫苗的免疫效果,将其与本室保存的重组鸡痘病毒rFPV-gB-gD-IgY分别以单独和混合的方式给4周龄非免疫鸡进行免疫,然后测定ILTV特异性抗体和T淋巴细胞增殖反应。结果表明这2种基因工程疫苗均能诱导鸡产生特异性的体液免疫及细胞免疫应答。其中以pcDNA-gB/rFPV-gB-gD-IgY联合免疫组的效果最好,其诱导的抗体水平已接近于常规弱毒疫苗,而细胞免疫水平则比后者高得多。上述研究结果为ILTV新型疫苗的研究奠定了基础。     

重组痘苗病毒表达人免疫缺陷病毒中国株B'亚型Gag蛋白及免疫效果观察

为筛选用于我国HIV疫苗的候选基因,利用痘苗病毒载体构建表达HIV-1 B′亚型中国流行株RL42的Gag蛋白的重组病毒rVV-RL42gag,并免疫BALB/c小鼠,检测其诱导的特异性抗体及中和抗体,同时检测其诱导的特异性CTL及与中国流行株C(B′/C重组)亚型和国际流行株A亚型之间的CTL交叉反应.结果显示:重组病毒能很好地表达Gag蛋白,它具有与7株单克隆抗体结合的抗体表位;电镜下可观察到Gag蛋白形成的颗粒.rVV-RL42gag免疫小鼠后能诱导产生高滴度的特异性抗体和CTL,抗体具一定的中和活性,且检测到与C(B′/C重组)亚型和国际流行株A亚型之间的CTL交叉反应.这些结果表明,rVV-RL42gag具有良好的免疫原性,可进一步构建表达HIV B′亚型中国流行株RL42的Gag蛋白的重组痘苗病毒作为候选疫苗.     

Maternal LAMP/p55gagHIV-1 DNA immunization induces in utero priming and a long-lasting immune response in vaccinated neonates

Infants born to HIV-infected mothers are at high risk of becoming infected during gestation or the breastfeeding period. A search is thus warranted for vaccine formulations that will prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission. The LAMP/gag DNA chimeric vaccine encodes the HIV-1 p55gag fused to the lysosome-associated membrane protein-1 (LAMP-1) and has been shown to enhance anti-Gag antibody (Ab) and cellular immune responses in adult and neonatal mice; such a vaccine represents a new concept in antigen presentation. In this study, we evaluated the effect of LAMP/gag DNA immunization on neonates either before conception or during pregnancy. LAMP/gag immunization of BALB/c mice before conception by the intradermal route led to the transfer of anti-Gag IgG1 Ab through the placenta and via breastfeeding. Furthermore, there were an increased percentage of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T cells in the spleens of neonates. When offspring were immunized with LAMP/gag DNA, the anti-Gag Ab response and the Gag-specific IFN-γ-secreting cells were decreased. Inhibition of anti-Gag Ab production and cellular responses were not observed six months after immunization, indicating that maternal immunization did not interfere with the long-lasting memory response in offspring. Injection of purified IgG in conjunction with LAMP/gag DNA immunization decreased humoral and cytotoxic T-cell responses. LAMP/gag DNA immunization by intradermal injection prior to conception promoted the transfer of Ab, leading to a diminished response to Gag without interfering with the development of anti-Gag T- and B-cell memory. Finally, we assessed responses after one intravenous injection of LAMP/gag DNA during the last five days of pregnancy. The intravenous injection led to in utero immunization. In conclusion, DNA vaccine enconding LAMP-1 with Gag and other HIV-1 antigens should be considered in the development of a protective vaccine for the maternal/fetal and newborn periods.     

人白细胞介素12表达质粒与Mtb8.4基因疫苗 联合免疫增强对小鼠结核杆菌感染的免疫保护效果

本课题旨在研究结核分枝杆菌Mtb8.4基因疫苗与人白细胞介素12（hIL-12）联合免疫小鼠所诱导的细胞免疫应答及对小鼠结核杆菌感染的免疫保护效果。40只C57BL/6N小鼠随机分为Mtb8.4基因疫苗＋hIL-12质粒组（联合免疫组）、Mtb8.4基因疫苗组、卡介苗（BCG）组、空载体组和PBS组,基因疫苗、空载体和PBS,经肌内注射法免疫各组小鼠,每隔3周免疫1次,共免疫3次,BCG组经尾部皮下注射1×106 CFU BCG免疫1次。免疫4周后,每组处死3只小鼠,采用酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）检测脾细胞培养上清中细胞因子水平;乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）释放法检测细胞毒性T细胞（CTL）杀伤活性。每组其余5只小鼠用结核杆菌H37Rv强毒株经尾静脉攻击,4周后,计数肺和脾组织中的结核杆菌菌落数,对小鼠部分肺和脾组织作病理切片,HE染色观察组织病变程度,Z-N染色查抗酸杆菌,观察该疫苗对小鼠结核杆菌感染的免疫保护效果。结果显示,联合免疫组能诱导较强的抗原特异性Th1型细胞免疫应答,免疫小鼠脾细胞培养上清液IFN-γ和IL-2水平（分别为1493.34±8.128pg/mL、747.489±48.676pg/mL）,显著高于Mtb8.4基因疫苗组,与BCG组相当,IL-4分泌减少,特异性CTL杀伤活性增强,对小鼠结核杆菌感染有较好的免疫保护效果,使小鼠肺和脾组织中的结核杆菌菌落数显著减少,组织病变明显减轻,其效果与卡介苗（BCG）组相当,优于Mtb8.4基因疫苗组。表明hIL-12表达质粒与Mtb8.4基因疫苗联合免疫后,能够增强Mtb8.4基因疫苗所诱导的细胞免疫应答,使Mtb8.4基因疫苗的免疫效力得到很大提高。     

中国HIV-1流行毒株的DNA疫苗的初步研究

为研制针对我国ＨＩＶ－１流行毒株的艾滋病毒疫苗,构建了具有代表性的ｇａｇ和ｇｐ１２０核酸疫苗,进行了初步的小鼠免疫实验。结果初步显示：（１）免疫Ｂａｌｂ／Ｃ小鼠可以产生ＨＩＶ－１特异性的体液和细胞免疫;（２）ｇａｇ和ｇｐ１２０基因联合免疫可以同时诱发针对ｇａｇ和ｇｐ１２０的细胞和体液免疫反应,而且效果比各自单独免疫要好;（３）Ｂ亚型ｇｐ１２０基因免疫可以诱发识别Ｃ亚型ｇｐ１２０抗原的ＣＴＬ反应。本     

IL—18DNA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。     

Improved cellular immune response elicited by a ubiquitin-fused DNA vaccine against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

This study evaluated the immune response elicited by a ubiquitin (Ub)-fused MPT64 DNA vaccine against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. BALB/c mice were vaccinated with plasmid DNA encoding MPT64 protein, Ub-fused MPT64 DNA vaccine (UbGR-MPT64), and negative DNA vaccines, respectively. MPT64 DNA vaccine immunization induced a Thl-polarized immune response. The production of Thl-type cytokine (interferon-gamma [IFN-γ]) and proliferative T cell responses were enhanced significantly in mice immunized with UbGR-MPT64 fusion DNA vaccine, compared with nonfusion DNA vaccine. Moreover, this fusion DNA vaccine also resulted in an increased relative ratio of IgG2a to IgGl and the cytotoxicity of T cells. IFN-γ intracellular staining of splenocytes indicated that UbGR-mpt64 fusion DNA vaccine activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, particularly CD8+ T cells. Thus, this study demonstrated that the UbGR-MPT64 fusion DNA vaccine inoculation could improve antigen-specific cellular immune responses, which is helpful for protection against TB.     

HIV-1 p24 DNA和P24蛋白联合免疫小鼠的效果

DNA疫苗能够诱导机体产生特异的细胞免疫和体液免疫反应,在肿瘤和感染性疾病的疫苗开发中显示出巨大的潜能。以HIV-1核心蛋白P24为抗原基因,构建pVAX1-p24 DNA,经Western blotting和动物活体成像检测证明,pVAX1 DNA携带的外源基因可以在293T 细胞和小鼠肌肉组织有效表达。采用不同的免疫策略免疫BALB/c小鼠 (DNA/DNA,DNA/Protein),实验结果表明：pVAX1-p24单独免疫BALB/c小鼠,可诱导明显的体液免疫及细胞免疫反应;pVAX1-p24与P24蛋白联合免疫诱导的体液免疫反应高于pVAX1-p24单独免疫,所获得的抗体滴度是单独免疫的7.3~8.0倍,但细胞免疫反应则不及单独免疫组。研究结果表明采取不同的免疫策略可以诱导产生不同的免疫反应,根据具体情况调整免疫策略将获得更好的免疫效果。这些研究为艾滋病疫苗的研发提供了实验依据。     

Vaginal protection and immunity after oral immunization of mice with a novel vaccine strain of Listeria monocytogenes expressing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gag

Natural transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) occurs at mucosal surfaces. During acute infection, intestinal and other mucosae are preferential sites of virus replication and rapidly become depleted of CD4(+) T cells. Therefore, mucosal immunity may be critical to control both initial infection and the massive early spread of virus. An attenuated D-alanine-requiring strain of the oral intracellular microorganism Listeria monocytogenes expressing HIV type 1 gag was shown to induce protective cell-mediated immunity in mice against viruses that express HIV gag when immunization occurs in the presence of a transient supply of D-alanine. In this study, we examined the efficacy of new attenuated strains that are able to synthesize d-alanine from a heterologous dal gene tightly regulated by an actA-promoted resolvase recombination system. In the absence of d-alanine, Gag-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) were induced systemically after intravenous immunization, and one strain, Lmdd-gag/pARS, induced strong dose-dependent Gag-specific CTLs after oral immunization. A significant level of Gag-specific CD8(+) T cells was induced in the mucosal-associated lymphoid tissues (MALTs). Upon intravaginal challenge of these orally immunized mice with recombinant vaccinia virus (rVV) expressing HIV gag, gamma interferon- and tumor necrosis factor alpha-secreting Gag-specific CD8(+) T cells were dramatically increased in the spleen and MALTs. Oral immunization with Lmdd-gag/pARS led to complete protection against vaginal challenge by a homologous clade B gag-expressing rVV. In addition, strong cross-clade protection was seen against clades A and C and partial protection against clade G gag-expressing rVV. These results suggest that Lmdd-gag/pARS may be considered as a novel vaccine candidate for use against HIV/AIDS.     

Comparison of immune response in sheep immunized with DNA vaccine encoding Toxoplasma gondii GRA7 antigen in different adjuvant formulations

Immunization with plasmid DNA, a relatively novel technique, is a promising vaccination technique. To improve the immune response by DNA vaccination various methods have been used, such as chemical adjuvants or immunomodulatory molecules formulated into microparticles or liposomes. The aim of this research is to evaluate the immune responses of sheep immunized with DNA plasmids encoding Toxoplasma gondii dense granule antigen GRA7 formulated into three different adjuvant formulations. Sixty sheep were injected intramuscularly with the DNA plasmids. Twelve received the liposome-formulated plasmid pVAXIgGRA7, 12 Emulsigen P formulated plasmid pVAXIgGRA7 and 12 Emulsigen D formulated plasmid pVAXIgGRA7. Twelve animals were used as a control and received the vector alone. All the animals were inoculated at week 0, and week 4. Immunization of the sheep with plasmids encoding GRA7, with the different adjuvant formulations, effectively primed the immune response. After the first inoculation, moderate to high antibody responses were observed with the three different adjuvant formulations. A significantly elevated specific IgG2 response was observed in the sheep immunized with liposomes and Emulsigen D as adjuvants. In the group immunized with Emulsigen P as an adjuvant, lower IgG1 and IgG2 antibody levels were developed compared to the other treatment groups. In all the immunized groups, DNA immunization stimulated a IFN-γ response. No antibody or IFN-γ responses were detected in the control group immunized with an empty plasmid or not immunized. These results indicate that intramuscular immunization of sheep with a DNA vaccine with the adjuvants liposomes and Emulsigen D induce a significant immune response against T. gondii.     

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.