Abstract
Interaction of CD40 with its ligand (CD154) can induce CD40-bearing APCs to express immune stimulatory accessory molecules that facilitate immune recognition. We evaluated whether a plasmid vector encoding CD154 (pCD40L) could influence the immune response to a transgene protein encoded by coinjected plasmid DNA. We found that coinjection of pCD40L in BALB/c mice enhanced the Ab response to beta-galactosidase induced by i.m. or intradermal injection of placZ, a plasmid DNA vector encoding beta-galactosidase. Furthermore, i.m. or intradermal coinjection of pCD40L with placZ enhanced the generation of CTL specific for P815 cells transfected with placZ. This study indicates that pCD40L can serve as a genetic adjuvant capable of augmenting humoral and cellular immune responses to Ags encoded by plasmid DNA expression vectors.
Publication types
-
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
-
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
-
Adjuvants, Immunologic / genetics
-
Adjuvants, Immunologic / pharmacology*
-
Animals
-
Antibodies / blood
-
CD40 Antigens / metabolism*
-
CD40 Ligand
-
Female
-
Injections, Intramuscular
-
Ligands
-
Lymphocyte Activation
-
Mast-Cell Sarcoma
-
Membrane Glycoproteins / biosynthesis
-
Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics*
-
Membrane Glycoproteins / pharmacology
-
Mice
-
Mice, Inbred BALB C
-
Mice, Inbred C57BL
-
Mice, Inbred DBA
-
Plasmids / administration & dosage
-
Plasmids / immunology*
-
Plasmids / pharmacology
-
T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology
-
Transfection / immunology
-
Tumor Cells, Cultured
-
Vaccines, DNA / administration & dosage
-
Vaccines, DNA / immunology*
-
beta-Galactosidase / immunology
Substances
-
Adjuvants, Immunologic
-
Antibodies
-
CD40 Antigens
-
Ligands
-
Membrane Glycoproteins
-
Vaccines, DNA
-
CD40 Ligand
-
beta-Galactosidase