Immure response induced by oral DNA vaccination against FMDV delivered by attenuated Salm onella choleraesuis C500

A recombinant strain of Salmonella choleraesuis C500, containing a eukaryotic expression plasmid pBO1 with the immune-dominant epitope of foot-and-mouth disease virus, was constructed. Specific immune response to this recombinant strain was evaluated by oral administration of the recombinant live bacteria pBO1/S. cho in rabbits. Results showed that T cell response and specific antibody production were elicited. This approach may present a general strategy for eliciting immune responses with DNA vaccine delivered by live bacterial vectors. The stimulated indexes of T lymphoproliferation by specific antigens of FMDV in rabbits, can reach up to 11.0 and an antibody titer of 1/32 as detected in the erum with liquid block ELISA. __________ Translated From Journal of Fudan University(Natural Science), 2005,44(4)[译自: 复旦学报(自然科学版), 2005,44(4)]     

Correlation between the immune response elicited in rabbits by env-recombinant avipox vaccines and the inhibition of HIV-1-specific functions

The fine immunoreactivity of the rabbit humoral response elicited by four env-recombinant avipoxviruses and their ability to stimulate a memory T-cell response and a protective immunity have been studied. The antibody specificity was compared with the serum neutralizing activity and virus-specific T-cell proliferative response. Resistance to challenge by cell-associated HIV-1 was monitored by PCR. Canarypox (CP) and fowlpox (FP) constructs, containing the complete env gene (IS(+)) from the HIV-1(SF2) strain, induced a higher profile of epitope recognition than their counterparts expressing the env gene deleted of the putative immunosuppressive region (IS(-)). Serum neutralizing activity was in agreement with fusion inhibition and lymphoproliferative response in rabbits immunized with CPIS(+), and only partially with FPIS(+). Rabbits failed to be infected, but anti- p55 gag-specific antibodies could be demonstrated by Western blot. This study confirms the ability of these non-replicative live recombinant viruses to elicit a complete immune response, capable of inhibiting specific HIV-1 functions.     

表达重组猪瘟病毒E290多肽的干酪乳杆菌口服免疫特性及诱导特异性CTL反应的研究

经PCR扩增获得约60bp编码猪瘟病毒T细胞表位E290多肽基因片段,克隆至表达载体pPG-VP2中VP2基因5′端上游,命名为pPG-VP2-E290,电转化干酪乳杆菌,构建了表达猪瘟病毒E290多肽的重组乳酸菌系统。口服免疫BALB/c鼠和新西兰兔,检测诱导小鼠和兔体内产生特异性抗猪瘟病毒E290多肽IgG水平,并对E290多肽的CTL活性进行检测,同时对免疫兔进行猪瘟病毒攻毒实验,检测E290多肽抗体对免疫兔的保护作用。构建的重组猪瘟病毒T细胞表位的干酪乳杆菌具有良好的免疫性,口服免疫后的小鼠和兔血清中均检测到了较高水平的抗E290多肽抗体IgG,且能诱导小鼠机体产生抗猪瘟病毒的特异性CTL反应,亦证实猪瘟病毒E290免疫兔能够抵抗猪瘟病毒的攻击。     

Local and systemic immune response in rabbits after intraintestinal immunization with a double-marker attenuated strain of Salmonella typhimurium

Local and systemic immune response was studied in 3 groups of rabbits immunized and reimmunized 190 days later with S. typhimurium double-marker attenuated strain 1,771 and doses ranged from 20.10(9) to 0.2.10(9) cells. Another group of rabbits was immunized with extract (hydroxylammine) vaccine. It was found that the attenuated strain persisted for considerable time in the gut, and induced pronounced and continuous immune response as measured by the passive hemagglutination test. The serum antibody response had the character of a secondary one with switching on the synthesis of IgM to IgG already after basic immunisation. By the Coombs' technique it was shown that specific immunoglobulins demonstrated in feces were secretory antibodies of the class IgA (SIgA). The immune response developed after reimmunization was still more vigorous and prolonged pointing to an immune memory existance. It was possible to obtain well manifested immunity with the lowest dose. The extract vaccine revealed only weak and transitory serum and intestinal antibody levels without SIgA appearance. The results obtained in this setup make S. typhimurium 1771 a perspective candidate for a live vaccine.     

Induction of a cellular immune response to a foreign antigen by a recombinant Listeria monocytogenes vaccine.

A recombinant strain of Listeria monocytogenes that stably and constitutively expresses Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase was used as a live vaccine vector. BALB/c mice were immunized orally or parenterally with the recombinant L. monocytogenes, and their cellular and humoral immune responses to beta-galactosidase were measured. Spleen cells taken 1 week after oral inoculation or 5 weeks after oral or parenteral inoculation (with a boost at 4 weeks) showed beta-galactosidase-specific CTL responses. The CTL line derived from mice immunized i.p. was also shown to be class I restricted and Thy-1.2+, CD8+, and TCR alpha beta+. All mice immunized with the recombinant L. monocytogenes had positive delayed-type hypersensitivity responses to heat-killed L. monocytogenes, but only 15% had a positive delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction to beta-galactosidase. Individual serum samples from mice immunized i.p. or i.v. were tested for antibody to beta-galactosidase. Approximately 11% had low positive titers for beta-galactosidase antibodies. These results demonstrate that both oral and parenteral immunization with recombinant L. monocytogenes results in a cellular immune response to the foreign protein, which is primarily a specific CD8+ CTL response.     

Maternal antibody blocks humoral but not T cell responses to BVDV.

Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) contributes significantly to health-related economic losses in the beef and dairy industry. Antibodies of maternal origin can be protective against BVDV infection, however, calves with low titres of maternal antibody or that do not receive colostrum may be at risk for acute BVDV infection. Interference by high titres of maternal antibodies prevents the development of an antibody response following vaccination with either a killed or attenuated BVDV vaccine. However, the T cell mediated immune response to BVDV may be generated in the absence of a detectable serum neutralizing antibody response. Two trials were conducted to evaluate the potential to elicit T cell mediated immune responses to BVDV in calves with circulating maternal antibody to BVDV. In the first trial, calves with high levels of circulating maternal antibody to BVDV 1 and BVDV 2 were experimentally infected with BVDV 2 (strain 1373) at two to five weeks of age. The T-cell mediated immune responses of the experimentally infected calves and non-infected calves were monitored monthly until circulating maternal antibody was no longer detectable in either treatment group. Calves experimentally infected with BVDV developed BVDV specific CD4(+), CD8(+), and delta T cell responses while high levels of maternal antibody were circulating. A second challenge with BVDV 2 (strain 1373) was performed in the experimentally infected and control calves once maternal antibody could no longer be detected. Previous exposure to BVDV in the presence of maternal antibody protected calves from clinical signs of acute BVDV infection compared to the control calves. In the second trial, three groups of calves with circulating maternal antibody to BVDV were given either a modified live vaccine (MLV) containing BVDV 1 and BVDV 2, a killed vaccine containing BVDV 1 and BVDV 2, or no vaccine, at seven weeks of age. Serum neutralizing antibody levels and antigen specific T cell responses were monitored for 14 weeks following vaccination. Calves vaccinated with MLV BVDV developed BVDV 1 and BVDV 2 specific CD4(+)T cell responses, and BVDV 2 specific gammadelta T cell responses, in the presence of maternal antibody. Vaccination with killed BVDV did not result in the generation of measurable antigen specific T cell immune responses. In this trial, a second vaccination was performed at 14 weeks to determine whether an anamnestic antibody response could be generated when calves were vaccinated in the presence of maternal antibody. Calves vaccinated with either a MLV or killed BVDV vaccine while they had maternal antibody developed an anamnestic antibody response to BVDV 2 upon subsequent vaccination. The results of these trials indicate that vaccinating young calves against BVD while maternal antibody is present may generate BVDV specific memory T and B cells. The data also demonstrated that seronegative calves with memory T and B cells specific for BVDV may be immune to challenge with virulent BVDV.     

Heterotypic protection and induction of a broad heterotypic neutralization response by rotavirus-like particles

The recognition that rotaviruses are the major cause of life-threatening diarrheal disease and significant morbidity in young children has focused efforts on disease prevention and control of these viruses. Although the correlates of protection in children remain unclear, some studies indicate that serotype-specific antibody is important. Based on this premise, current live attenuated reassortant rotavirus vaccines include the four predominant serotypes of virus. We are evaluating subunit rotavirus vaccines, 2/6/7-VLPs and 2/4/6/7-VLPs, that contain only a single VP7 of serotype G1 or G3. In mice immunized parenterally twice, G3 virus-like particles (VLPs) induced a homotypic, whereas G1 VLPs induced a homotypic and heterotypic (G3) serum neutralizing immune response. Administration of three doses of G1 or G3 VLPs induced serum antibodies that neutralized five of seven different serotype test viruses. The inclusion of VP4 in the VLPs was not essential for the induction of heterotypic neutralizing antibody in mice. To confirm these results in another species, rabbits were immunized parenterally with two doses of 2/4/6/7-VLPs containing a G3 or G1 VP7, sequentially with G3 VLPs followed by G1 (G3/G1) VLPs, or with live or psoralen-inactivated SA11. High-titer homotypic serum neutralizing antibody was induced in all rabbits, and low-level heterotypic neutralizing antibody was induced in a subset of rabbits. The rabbits immunized with the G1 or G3/G1 VLPs in QS-21 were challenged orally with live G3 ALA rotavirus. Protection levels were similar in rabbits immunized with homotypic G3 2/4/6/7-VLPs, heterotypic G1 2/4/6/7-VLPs, or G3/G1 2/4/6/7-VLPs. Therefore, G1 2/4/6/7-VLPs can induce protective immunity against a live heterotypic rotavirus challenge in an adjuvant with potential use in humans. Following challenge, broad serum heterotypic neutralizing antibody responses were detected in rabbits parenterally immunized with G1, G3/G1, or G3 VLPs but not with SA11. Immunization with VLPs may provide sufficient priming of the immune system to induce protective anamnestic heterotypic neutralizing antibody responses upon subsequent rotavirus infection. Therefore, a limited number of serotypes of VLPs may be sufficient to provide a broadly protective subunit vaccine.     

Expression of Babesia bovis rhoptry-associated protein 1 (RAP1) in Brucella abortus S19

Brucella abortus strain 19 (live vaccine) induces a strong humoral and cellular immune response and therefore, it is an attractive vector for the delivery of heterologous antigens. The objective of the present study was to express the rhoptry-associated protein (RAP1) of Babesia bovis in B. abortus S19, as a model for heterologous expression of immunostimulatory antigens from veterinary pathogens. A plasmid for the expression of recombinant proteins fused to the aminoterminal of the outer membrane lipoprotein OMP19 was created, pursuing the objective of increasing the immunogenicity of the recombinant antigen being expressed by its association to a lipid moiety. Recombinant strains of B. abortus S19 expressing RAP1 as a fusion protein either with the first amino acids of beta-galactosidase (S19pBB-RAP1) or B. abortus OMP19 (S19pBB19-RAP1) were generated. Plasmid stability and the immunogenicity of the heterologous proteins were analyzed. Mice immunized with S19pBB-RAP1 or S19pBB19-RAP1 developed specific humoral immune response to RAP1, IgG2a being the predominant antibody isotype. Furthermore, a specific cellular immune response to recombinant RAP1 was elicited in vitro by lymphocytes from mice immunized with both strains. Therefore, we concluded that B. abortus S19 expressing RAP1 is immunostimulatory and may provide the basis for combined heterologous vaccines for babesiosis and brucellosis.     

泛素基因介导下的猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒M基因对小鼠的免疫试验

摘要：【目的】获得猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒（Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus, PRRSV）M蛋白基因及其与泛素（Ubiquitin, Ub）基因融合的真核表达质粒,并进一步研究Ub对M基因免疫效果的影响。【方法】利用RT-PCR技术以PRRSV CH-1a株和BALB/c小鼠脾脏组织总RNA为模板,分别扩增出PRRSV M蛋白基因与小鼠的Ub基因,利用SOE技术将PRRSV M基因与小鼠Ub基因进行融合,最终构建真核表达质粒pVAX1-M与pVAX1-U-M。以两种真核表达质粒DNA肌肉免疫BALB/c小鼠后,分别检测体液免疫反应与细胞免疫反应,比较M单基因与Ub-M融合基因DNA免疫所诱生的免疫应答强度【结果】IFA试验表明,pVAX1-M与pVAX1-U-M均能BHK-21细胞内成功表达目的基因;两种重组质粒免疫小鼠后均可诱生PRRSV ELISA抗体与细胞免疫反应,但是pVAX1-U-M诱导的细胞免疫反应明显高于pVAX1-M,差异显著（P<0.05）;而其诱导的抗体水平明显低于pVAX1-M,二者差异也显著（P<0.05）。【结论】泛素在一定程度上可以促进PRRSV M基因诱导细胞免疫反应,但对体液免疫未见到同样作用。     

Construction of prophylactic human papillomavirus type 16 L1 capsid protein vaccine delivered by live attenuated Shigella flexneri strain sh42

To express human papillomavirus （HPV） L 1 capsid protein in the recombinant strain of Shigella and study the potential of a live attenuated Shigella-based HPV prophylactic vaccine in preventing HPV infection, the icsA/virG fragment of Shigella-based prokaryotic expression plasmid pHS3199 was constructed. HPV type 16 L1 （HPV16L1） gene was inserted into plasmid pHS3199 to form the pHS3199-HPV16L1 construct, and pHS3199-HPV 16L1 was electroporated into a live attenuated Shigella strain sh42. Western blotting analysis showed that HPV 16L 1 could be expressed stably in the recombinant strain sh42-HPV 16L 1. Sereny test results were negative, which showed that the sh42-HPV16L1 lost virulence. However, the attenuated recombinant strain partially maintained the invasive property as indicated by the HeLa cell infection assay. Specific IgG, IgA antibody against HPV16L1 virus-like particles （VLPs） were detected in the sera, intestinal lavage and vaginal lavage from animals immunized by sh42-HPV 16L1. The number of antibodysecreting cells in the spleen and draining lymph nodes were increased significantly compared with the control group. Sera from immunized animals inhibited mufine hemagglutination induced by HPV 16L1 VLPs, which indicated that the candidate vaccine could stimulate an efficient immune response in guinea pig＇s mucosal sites. This may be an effective strategy for the development of an HPV prophylactic oral vaccine.     

猪细小病毒核酸疫苗的构建及其对小鼠免疫原性的研究

将猪细小病毒VP2基因克隆至pCI-neo真核表达载体中,构建了pCIneo-VP2重组质粒,转染至PK-15细胞中,利用免疫荧光方法检测在体外表达情况;并以小鼠为动物模型,将pCIneo-VP2、pCI-neo重组质粒、猪细小病毒活疫苗和对照组通过肌肉注射进行免疫,检测免疫小鼠的淋巴细胞转化功能,特异性CTL杀伤活性和血清抗体滴度。结果显示,pCIneo-VP2在体外能够诱导PK-15细胞表达VP2蛋白,小鼠注射pCIneo-VP2质粒 1周后能够诱导机体产生抗体,4周时达到峰值,与活疫苗对照组产生的抗体滴度、诱导T淋巴细胞增殖和诱导强的细胞毒性基本一致。试验表明,构建的pCIneo-VP2能够有效诱导机体产生体液免疫和细胞免疫,为研制出高效、新型猪细小病毒疫苗提供了科学依据和试验依据。     

A DNA-priming protein-boosting regimen significantly improves type 1 immune response but not protective immunity to Trypanosoma cruzi infection in a highly susceptible mouse strain

BALB/c or C57Bl/6 mice immunized with plasmids containing Trypanosoma cruzi genes developed specific immune responses and protective immunity against lethal parasitic infection. In contrast, in the highly susceptible mouse strain A/Sn, DNA vaccination reduced the peak parasitemia but promoted limited mouse survival after challenge. In the present study, we tested whether the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of vaccination could be improved by combining DNA and recombinant protein immunization regimens. A/Sn mice immunized with plasmid p154/13 which harbours the gene encoding Trypanosoma cruzi trans-sialidase developed a predominant type 1 immune response. In contrast, immunization with the recombinant Trypanosoma cruzi trans-sialidase protein adsorbed to alum generated a typical type 2 immune response. Simultaneous administration of both p154/13 and recombinant Trypanosoma cruzi trans-sialidase protein also led to a predominant type 2 immune response. Sequential immunization consisting of two priming doses of p154/13 followed by booster injections with recombinant Trypanosoma cruzi trans-sialidase protein significantly improved specific type 1 immune response, as revealed by a drastic reduction of the serum IgG1/IgG2a ratio and by an increase in the in vitro interferon-gamma secretion by CD4 T cells. Our observations confirm and extend previous data showing that a DNA-priming protein-boosting regimen might be a general strategy to enhance type 1 immune response to DNA vaccines. Upon challenge with Trypanosoma cruzi, no improvement in protective immunity was observed in mice immunized with the DNA-priming protein-boosting regimen when compared to animals that received DNA only. Therefore, our results suggest that in this experimental model there is no correlation between the magnitude of type 1 immune response and protective immunity against Trypanosoma cruzi infection.     

猪霍乱沙门氏菌递送的双启动子表达载体的构建

猪霍乱沙门氏菌C500株不仅可以作为预防猪沙门氏菌病的活疫苗,还可作为运送其他DNA疫苗的优良载体,并通过粘膜免疫诱导产生针对特定抗原的各种免疫应答。为增强其携带的DNA疫苗的免疫效力,本研究以真核表达载体pEGFP-C1为基础,将其真核启动子CMVie与原核启动子Ptrc串联,并在其多克隆位点MCS下游引入rrnbT1T2转录终止序列,构建了真、原核双启动子表达载体pEGFPPtrcR。用1×TSS法将其转化C500,得到工程菌C500/pEGFPPtrcR,通过SDS-PAGE和Westernblotting鉴定了报告基因EGFP的原核表达,该菌在荧光显微镜下能发出强烈绿色荧光,被证明在体外至少能稳定遗传20代;采用脂质体介导法将pEGFPPtrcR转染Vero细胞,EGFP在胞核和胞浆内表达,24h后观察可到明显绿色荧光。结果表明,双启动子表达载体pEGFPPtrcR构建成功,预示其携带的外源基因既可在C500中表达,又可在体细胞中表达,为研制以C500为载体的新型DNA疫苗的发展开辟了一个新的途径。     

Induction in mice of cell-mediated immunity to Pseudomonas aeruginosa by high molecular weight polysaccharide and vinblastine

The effect of the cytotoxic drug vinblastine on the development of immunity to high m.w. polysaccharide (PS) isolated from culture supernates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was investigated. One microgram of PS, a normally nonimmunogenic, nonprotective dose, plus 75 micrograms of vinblastine were administered to BALB/c mice, and afforded protection to live organism challenge with the homologous strain. The kinetics and serotype specificity of the immune response indicated an active immunization had occurred. Analyses of serum antibody levels of mice given the PS-drug regimen in a sensitive, radioactive antigen-binding assay (RABA) failed to show development of antibody to the immunizing PS. Immunity could be passively transferred with spleen cells but not by serum from PS-drug-immunized animals, and the effector cell was removed by antisera to the Thy-1.2 antigen. Nu/nu mice were also protected against challenge after immunization with PS and vinblastine, but this protection was observed in association with the development of serum antibody to PS in these mice, as measured in the RABA. Protective immunity could not be elicited in the BALB/c mice by PS plus cyclophosphamide. These data suggest that under certain conditions, PS antigens can elicit T cell-dependent immune phenomena, and this T cell-dependent immunity can protect mice from live organism challenge against an extracellular bacterial pathogen.     

Enhancement of in vivo immune response by tumor necrosis factor

Interleukin 1 (IL-1) has been shown to regulate several immunologic functions. Since tumor necrosis factor (TNF) shares many biologic properties with IL-1, we have investigated here the role of TNF in the modulation of the immune response. We have thus tested low doses of human recombinant TNF-alpha (hu rTNF-alpha) for its capacity to enhance the in vivo antibody responses evaluated at the cellular level in the hemolytic plaque assay. It was found that hu rTNF-alpha, like human IL-1 beta, is able to enhance the immune response to a T cell-dependent antigen (sheep red blood cells). Interestingly, at variance with human recombinant IL-1 beta, hu rTNF-alpha was not able to enhance the in vivo antibody response to a T cell-independent antigen (type III pneumococcal polysaccharide). These results suggest that low levels of TNF may have a role in the modulation of the immune response in vivo and shed new light on the biologic significance of this mediator.     

传染性法氏囊病病毒 VP2/4/3-ChIL-2融合基因DNA疫苗免疫原性研究

应用重叠延伸剪切技术(splicing by overlapping extension,SOE),经3次PCR将传染性法氏囊病病毒(infectiousbursal disease virus,IBDV)多聚蛋白(VP2/4/3)基因和鸡白细胞介素2(Chicken IL-2,ChIL-2)基因进行融合,定向插入真核表达载体pCI的CMV启动子下游,获得重组质粒pCI-VP2/4/3-IL-2和pCI-IL-2-VP2/4/3。将其制备成DNA疫苗,肌肉注射14日龄非免疫鸡,2周后加强免疫,定期测定鸡抗IBDV血清ELISA抗体效价及病毒中和抗体效价。加强免疫后3周用IBDV标准强毒株攻击,连续观察3天后全部扑杀,计算保护率及囊体比,并进行组织病理学检查。结果表明:1)融合基因重组质粒pCI-VP2/4/3-IL-2、pCI-IL-2-VP2/4/3免疫后能明显增强IBDVDNA疫苗对强毒的攻击保护(保护率分别为83.3%、91.6%),显著高于pCI-VP2/4/3单独免疫对照组(58.3%);2)诱导产生的抗IBDV血清ELISA抗体效价明显增高(P<0.05),同时能提高DNA疫苗诱导产生的中和抗体效价(P<0.05);3)能显著促进鸡外周血液T淋巴细胞增殖反应。上述结果提示:IBDV VP2/4/3与ChIL-2基因融合后发挥了相互协同作用,ChIL-2产生了分子免疫佐剂效应;融合基因DNA疫苗能增强IBDV DNA疫苗的免疫原性,促进了机体特异性免疫应答。     

Comparison on Virulence and Immunogenicity of Two Recombinant Vaccinia Vaccines,Tian Tan and Guang9 Strains,Expressing the HIV-1 Envelope Gene

Background

The vaccinia virus Guang9 strain (VG9), derived from the vaccinia virus Tian Tan strain (VTT) has been found to be less virulent than VTT.

Methodology/Principal Findings

To investigate whether VG9 could be a potential replicating virus vector, the TK genes in VG9 and VTT were replaced with the HIV-1 envelope gene via homologous recombination, resulting in the recombinant viruses, VG9-E and VTT-E. The biology, virulence, humoral and cellular immunological responses of VG9-E and VTT-E were evaluated. Our results indicated no obvious difference in range of host cells and diffusion between two recombinant viruses. Neurovirulence for VG9-E in weanling and suckling mice, and skin virulence in rabbits, were lower than that of VTT-E. The humoral immune responses, including binding antibody and neutralizing antibody responses, induced by VG9-E were not significantly different from those for VTT-E whilst IFN-γ response which represented cellular immune response induced by VG9-E was significantly higher than that did by VTT-E.

Conclusions/Significance

Our results indicated that VG9-E was less virulent, yet induced higher cellular immune response than VTT-E. Therefore, it could be an ideal replicating vaccinia vector for HIV vaccine research and development.     

Protective immunity to vaccinia virus induced by vaccination with multiple recombinant outer membrane proteins of intracellular and extracellular virions

Infectious intracellular and extracellular forms of vaccinia virus have different outer membrane proteins, presenting multiple targets to the immune system. We investigated the immunogenicity of soluble forms of L1, an outer membrane protein of the intracellular mature virus, and of A33 and B5, outer membrane proteins of the extracellular enveloped virus. The recombinant proteins, in 10-microg amounts mixed with a Ribi- or saponin-type adjuvant, were administered subcutaneously to mice. Antibody titers to each protein rose sharply after the first and second boosts, reaching levels that surpassed those induced by percutaneous immunization with live vaccinia virus. Immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) antibody predominated after the protein immunizations, indicative of a T-helper cell type 2 response, whereas live vaccinia virus induced mainly IgG2a, indicative of a T-helper cell type 1 response. Mice immunized with any one of the recombinant proteins survived an intranasal challenge with 5 times the 50% lethal dose of the pathogenic WR strain of vaccinia virus. Measurements of weight loss indicated that the A33 immunization most effectively prevented disease. The superiority of protein combinations was demonstrated when the challenge virus dose was increased 20-fold. The best protection was obtained with a vaccine made by combining recombinant proteins of the outer membranes of intracellular and extracellular virus. Indeed, mice immunized with A33 plus B5 plus L1 or with A33 plus L1 were better protected than mice immunized with live vaccinia virus. Three immunizations with the three-protein combination were necessary and sufficient for complete protection. These studies suggest the feasibility of a multiprotein smallpox vaccine.     

Serologic and mucosal immune response to rotavirus infection in the rabbit model.

We examined the humoral immune response to rotavirus infection in specific pathogen-free rabbits inoculated and challenged orally with rabbit Ala rotavirus (7.5 x 10(5) to 1 x 10(7) PFU). The humoral immune response in both serologic and mucosal samples was monitored by using total antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), isotype-specific ELISAs, and plaque reduction neutralization assays. Following a primary infection, all rabbits shed virus and serologic and mucosal antibody responses were initially detected by 1 week postinoculation. Intestinal immunoglobulin M was detected by 3 days postinoculation, and secretory immunoglobulin A was detected by 6 days postinoculation. Following challenge, rabbits were protected (no detectable virus shedding) from infection. An anamnestic immune response was observed only with mucosal neutralizing antibodies, and all serologic and mucosal immune responses persisted at high levels until at least 175 days postchallenge (204 days postinoculation). Detection of neutralization responses was influenced by the virus strain used in the neutralization assay; all inoculated rabbits developed detectable serum and intestinal neutralizing antibodies against the infecting (Ala) virus strain. Neutralization activity in both serum and mucosal samples was generally, but not exclusively, homotypic (VP7 serotype 3) after both primary and challenge inoculations with Ala virus. Heterotypic serum neutralization activity was observed with serotype 8 (9 of 12 rabbits) and 9 (12 of 12 rabbits) viruses and may be based on reactivity with the outer capsid protein VP4 or on a shared epitope in the C region of VP7. Comparisons of heterologous (serotype 3) and heterotypic neutralizing responses in mucosal and serologic samples revealed that 43% (21 of 49) of the responses were discordant. In 19 of 49 (39%) of these cases, a heterotypic serologic response was seen in the absence of a heterotypic mucosal response, but in 2 of 49 (4%) instances, a heterotypic mucosal response was seen in the absence of a concomitant serologic response. These results provide insight into factors which may affect detection of heterotypic responses.     

Immune response to human immunodeficiency virus. In vivo administration of anti-idiotype induces an anti-gp160 response specific for a synthetic peptide

Anti-idiotypic antibodies (anti-Id) to chimpanzee antibodies directed against a synthetic peptide corresponding to a native epitope associated with gp41 of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) envelope glycoprotein were produced in rabbits. The peptide was analogous to amino acid sequences 735 to 752 from the human T cell leukemia virus-IIIB isolate of HIV. Characteristics of the anti-Id preparation included: 1) detection of a shared determinant present on a second chimpanzee and one of three rabbit antibody preparations directed against the synthetic peptide, 2) failure to recognize an idiotype (Id) in BALB/c mouse antisera to the peptide, and 3) partial inhibition of the homologous chimpanzee Id preparation from binding either peptide or a recombinant HIV gp160 preparation. Immunization of BALB/c mice with the anti-Id induced an antipeptide response which bound a recombinant gp160 preparation without subsequent peptide or gp160 exposure. The anti-gp160 containing sera from mice immunized with anti-Id were able to inhibit the Id-anti-Id reaction indicating that an Id-positive antibody response was induced. This Id is not normally expressed in the murine anti-gp 160 immune response to the synthetic peptide and suggests that this anti-Id may activate normally silent clones. This study indicates that Id networks may be operational during the immune response to HIV epitopes. Alternatively, anti-Id may be useful in altering the serologic characteristics of an antibody response to HIV and may offer potential for modulating the immune response in this viral infection.