Oral immunization with recombinant vaccina expressing cell-surface-anchored beta hCG induces anti-hCG antibodies and T-cell proliferative response in rats

Oral immunization of mice with Japanese encephalitis virus envelope protein synthesized in Escherichia coli induces anti-viral antibodies

In order to evaluate the possibility of developing an oral vaccine against Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), mice were fed with recombinant JEV envelope (E) protein synthesized in Escherichia coli. The protein was administered orally to mice with or without an immunostimulatory cytosine-phosphate-guanosine (CpG) motif containing synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) as an adjuvant. The immunized mice made high-titered anti-E and anti-JEV antibodies. Mice immunized with JEV E protein along with the ODN adjuvant produced higher antibody titers and these were predominantly IgG2a type. These antibodies, however, failed to neutralize JEV activity in vitro, and the immunization did not protect the mice against lethal JEV challenge. Splenocytes from the immunized mice secreted large amounts of interferon (IFN)-gamma and showed proliferation in the presence of JEV E protein. Our results indicate that JEV E protein delivered orally to mice together with ODN generated both humoral and cellular immune responses to JEV, and these were of the Th1 type.

Mucosal and systemic immune responses induced after oral delivery of vaccinia virus recombinants

The immune responses elicited after oral delivery of vaccinia virus (VV) recombinants are not well defined. In this study we show with mice, that after oral administration of a VV recombinant expressing the luciferase reporter gene, VV gene expression takes place for several days in gut-associated lymphoid (GALT) tissues as well as in the spleen. After 14 days, a significant mucosal IgA response against VV was detected in vaginal and intestinal washings, as well as a systemic specific IgG response, which was principally of the IgG2a subclass. Furthermore, orally immunized mice developed cellular immune responses to VV (CD8+ T cells and T helper activities) in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) and spleen. Oral immunization with a VV recombinant expressing, either the envelope protein of HIV or beta-galactosidase, induced a specific immune response, locally and systemically, against gp120 and beta-gal. The cytokine pattern found in supernatants of spleen and MLN cells after stimulation with VV antigens or gp120 was clearly of type 1 cytokines. These studies demonstrate that VV recombinants administered by the oral route generate mucosal and systemic immune responses against antigens of the virus vector and to the recombinant products. These observations are of significance in the use of poxvirus vectors as vaccines.

Unconventional vaccine targets. Immunization for pregnancy, peptic ulcer, gastric cancer, cocaine abuse, and atherosclerosis

Vaccine technology can be applied to targets of intervention that currently have not been considered preventable by immunization. Targets include some diseases caused by, or related to, infectious agents, and other conditions clearly unassociated with disease pathogens. This article considers vaccines for pregnancy, peptic ulcer disease, gastric cancer, cocaine abuse and atherosclerosis.