Studies on the optimal immunization schedule of experimental animals. VI. Antigen dose-response of aluminum hydroxide-aided immunization and booster effect under low antigen dose

Methods to Prepare Aluminum Salt-Adjuvanted Vaccines

Many human vaccines contain certain insoluble aluminum salts such as aluminum oxyhydroxide and aluminum hydroxyphosphate as vaccine adjuvants to boost the immunogenicity of the vaccines. Aluminum salts have been used as vaccine adjuvants for decades and have an established, favorable safety profile. However, preparing aluminum salts and aluminum salt-adjuvanted vaccines in a consistent manner remains challenging. This chapter discusses methods to prepare aluminum salts and aluminum salt-adjuvanted vaccines, factors to consider during preparation, and methods to characterize the vaccines after preparation.

Applications and Optimization of Immunization Procedures

Classical immunization protocols have produced an antibody-based humoral response that is very effective against susceptible infectious diseases. Immunization introduces an external substance to induce the host immune system to respond specifically. Typically an antigen is used, but DNA, or a primed, pre-existing leukocyte or antigen-presenting cell, can also be used. Immunization is currently being used or investigated for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, cancer, addictions, allergies, pregnancy, and autoimmune diseases. It is also being used to produce biologically active materials such as polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, antivenins, and anti-toxins for treating a wide range of conditions. Animals have been integral to the development of immunization techniques, as producers of toxoids and antitoxins, as models (e.g., to validate materials and protocols used for immunization, to understand the impact of immunization itself on the immune system, and to help investigators devise methods for determining the efficacy of vaccines) and as beneficiaries themselves of vaccines and antitoxins. The choice of immunization protocols is complex, and results may be affected by many factors such as dose and concentration of antigen, choice of adjuvants, time between inoculation and response measurement, and method of detection. The immune system responses to an antigen are also complex and continue to develop with advancing age. Anatomical, physiological, and immune system differences between species influence responses to immunization, as do the purity and presentation of the antigens and adjuvants. When directly comparing results, animals should be sourced from the same supplier. This review highlights the many uses of immunization techniques and introduces important considerations for the choice of protocols and animal models.

Study of adjuvant effect of model surfactants from the groups of alkyl sulfates, alkylbenzene sulfonates, alcohol ethoxylates and soaps

The sodium salts of representatives of anionic surfactants, dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS), dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and coconut oil fatty acids, and a nonionic surfactant, dodecyl alcohol ethoxylate, were studied for adjuvant effect on the production of specific IgE antibodies in mice. The surfactants were injected subcutaneously (sc) in concentrations of 1000, 100, 10 or 1 mg/l, respectively, together with 1 microg of ovalbumin (OVA). In addition, groups of mice received OVA in saline (control group) or in Al(OH)(3) (positive adjuvant control group). After the primary immunization the mice were boosted up to three times with OVA (0.1 microg sc) in saline. OVA-specific IgE antibodies were determined by the heterologous mouse rat passive cutaneous anaphylaxis test. The results were confirmed by a specific ELISA method. After the first booster, the Al(OH)(3) group and the 10 mg/l SDS group showed a statistically significant increase in OVA specific IgE levels. After two boosters, a statistically significant suppression in OVA-specific IgE production occurred with SDS (1000 mg/l), SDBS (1000 and 100 mg/l), coconut soap (1000 mg/l) and the alcohol ethoxylate (10 mg/l). This study suggests that a limited number of surfactants possess an adjuvant effect whereas all surfactants at certain levels can suppress specific IgE production.