Pathological studies on local tissue reactions in guinea pigs and rats caused by four different adjuvants

Immuno-toxicological evaluation of her1 cancer vaccine in non-human primates: a 6-month subcutaneous study

Purpose: A vaccine composition based on the extracellular domain of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 1 (HER1-ECD) and the combination of VSSP (very small size proteoliposomes) and Montanide ISA 51 adjuvants when used by intramuscular route, demonstrated promising results in preclinical studies. However, in order to avoid potential adverse events due to the use of Montanide, it is proposed to modify the vaccine formulation by using VSSP (very small size proteoliposomes) adjuvant alone, and to evaluate the quality of subcutaneously induced immune response. This study aimed to assess the immunotoxicological effects of HER1 vaccine in Cercopithecus aethiops.Materials and methods: Fifteen monkeys were randomized into four groups: Negative Control (Tris/NaCl, s.c.), Positive Control (200 µg HER1-ECD/VSSP/Montanide ISA-51 VG, i.m), Low Dose (200 µg HER1-ECD/VSSP/Tris NaCl, s.c.) and High Dose (800 µg HER1-ECD/VSSP/Tris NaCl, s.c). All monkeys received 7 doses and were daily inspected for clinical signs. Body weight, rectal temperature, cardiac and respiratory rates were measured during the study, and electrocardiographical and ophthalmological studies were performed. Humoral and cellular immune response and clinical pathology parameters were analyzed.Results: Animal's survival in the study was 100% (n = 15). Administration site reactions were observed in the Positive Control animals (n = 4). HER1 vaccine administered subcutaneously (High Dose Group) achieved good IgG antibody titers although lower than the Positive Control group, but with higher ability to inhibit HER1 phosphorylation. Conclusions: This suggests that the alternative of eliminating the use of Montanide in the HER1 vaccine preparation and the using subcutaneous route is feasible.

Immune responses in pigs and cattle vaccinated with half-volume foot-and-mouth disease vaccine

With the current commercial foot-and-mouth disease vaccine, inoculating twice increases the formation of denatured meat due to granuloma or residual adjuvant at the injection site in pigs, resulting in economic loss. Therefore, we investigated protective antibody levels after reducing the amount of adjuvant in the vaccine. Field applicability of the experimental vaccine, made with a new adjuvant ISA 201, was tested by vaccinating farm animals with half-volume doses (1 mL/animal) of commercial vaccine and monitoring their immunogenicity. Among pigs, the group that received a half-volume dose showed similar or higher titers of structural protein antibody and neutralizing antibody than those receiving the standard dose (2 mL). In pigs, the durable effects of antibody titer of the reduced vaccine volume did not diminish up to the time of slaughter. Among cattle, boosting with a second 1 mL vaccine increased virus neutralizing antibody for the protective effects. The boosting effects were more marked in cattle than in pigs. The immune responses differed between species with the effect of the half-volume vaccination being lower in cattle than in pigs. In conclusion, the immune response to the half-volume vaccine was similar to that from the standard volume vaccine in pigs, but not in cattle.

Anabolic steroids reduce muscle damage caused by rotator cuff tendon release in an experimental study in rabbits

BACKGROUND

Muscles of the rotator cuff undergo retraction, atrophy, and fatty infiltration after a chronic tear, and a rabbit model has been used to investigate these changes. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the administration of anabolic steroids can diminish these muscular changes following experimental supraspinatus tendon release in the rabbit.

METHODS

The supraspinatus tendon was released in twenty New Zealand White rabbits. Musculotendinous retraction was monitored over a period of six weeks. The seven animals in group I had no additional intervention, the six animals in group II had local and systemic administration of nandrolone decanoate, and the seven animals in group III had systemic administration of nandrolone decanoate during the six weeks. Two animals (group III) developed a postoperative infection and were excluded from the analysis. At the time that the animals were killed, in vivo muscle performance as well as imaging and histological muscle changes were investigated.

RESULTS

The mean supraspinatus retraction was higher in group I (1.8 cm; 95% confidence interval: 1.64, 2.02 cm) than in group II (1.5 cm; 95% confidence interval: 1.29, 1.81 cm) or III (1.2 cm; 95% confidence interval: 0.86, 1.54 cm). Histologically, no fatty infiltration was measured in either treated group II (mean, 2.2%; range, 0% to 8%) or III (mean, 1%; range, 0% to 3.4%), but it was measured in the untreated group I (mean, 5.9%; range, 0% to 14.1%; p = 0.031). The radiographic cross-sectional area indicating atrophy and the work of the respective muscle during one standardized contraction with supramaximal stimulation decreased in all groups, but the work of the muscle was ultimately highest in group III.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this is the first documentation of partial prevention of important muscle alterations after retraction of the supraspinatus musculotendinous unit caused by tendon disruption. Nandrolone decanoate administration in the phase after tendon release prevented fatty infiltration of the supraspinatus muscle and reduced functional muscle impairment caused by myotendinous retraction in this rabbit rotator cuff model, but two of seven rabbits that received the drug developed infections.

Retrospective study to characterize post-obstructive diuresis in cats with urethral obstruction

Urethral obstruction is a common medical emergency in cats. Frequency of post-obstruction diuresis in cats following resolution of urethral obstruction is unknown. The objective of this study was to document frequency and associated clinical features of post-obstruction diuresis in cats. The records of 32 cats undergoing 33 admissions to the Colorado State University Veterinary Hospital for urethral obstruction were reviewed. Signalment, admission blood values, fluid therapy, and urine output were recorded. Diuresis was defined as urine output greater than 2ml/kg/h. Post-obstructive diuresis occurred in 46% (13/28) of cats within the first 6h of treatment. Occurrence of post-obstructive diuresis was statistically more likely in cats with venous pH<7.35 on admission. Urine production following resolution of urethral obstruction should be monitored so that fluid therapy can be adjusted to the individual patient, as many cats will have a higher fluid requirement secondary to post-obstruction diuresis.

Efficacy of a new inactivated Chlamydophila felis vaccine in experimentally-infected cats

A new inactivated and adjuvanted Chlamydophila felis vaccine was developed and its efficacy in cats was compared with that of commercially available inactivated and live vaccines. Two commercial vaccines conferred insufficient immunity on inoculated cats, as evaluated by antibody production and a challenge experiment, whereas cats administered the newly generated vaccine produced high-titre antibodies and acquired sufficient immunity. The cats immunised with the new vaccine revealed no or only mild clinical signs, and no chlamydiae were recovered from their tissue samples after exposure to a virulent C felis. However, they shed chlamydiae in their nasal and conjunctival secretions after challenge, as did those immunised with the commercial vaccines and the non-vaccinated controls. The newly developed vaccine caused no adverse reaction in the inoculated cats. These findings suggest that the new vaccine prepared here may be promising for practical use in controlling C felis infection in cats.

Immunologic responses and adverse reactions to Freund's-adjuvanted porcine zona pellucida immunocontraceptives in domestic cats

A vaccine of native PZP with Freund's adjuvant has been widely used in zoo and wild ungulates, but safety in felids has not been evaluated. General health, immune response, and ovarian histology were assessed in five domestic cats vaccinated with PZP-Freund's and five cats given Freund's adjuvant alone. Peak antibody titers occurred 3 weeks after the third vaccination, and no ovarian lesions were present 6 months after vaccination. Seven cats developed extensive granulomatous reactions at injection sites, lymph nodes, and multiple visceral organs including lungs and brain. Persistent hypercalcemia and compromised renal function occurred in three cats with elevated serum calcitriol of probable macrophage origin. One cat died from an injection site sarcoma. Because of these severe adverse reactions, Freund's adjuvant is contraindicated in cats, and other adjuvants for PZP vaccines should be tested in cats for adverse reactions before use.

Genetic analysis of the influence of neuroantigen-complete Freund's adjuvant emulsion structures on the sexual dimorphism and susceptibility to experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

The induction of organ-specific autoimmune diseases, such as experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) the principal animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS), relies on the use of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) emulsions. In this study we report that the physical structure of the particles comprising neuroantigen-CFA emulsions significantly influences the genetic control of the incidence and sexual dimorphism seen in EAE. Immunization of (B10.S/SgMcdJ x SJL/J) F(2) mice segregating the quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling EAE in susceptible SJL/J and resistant B10.S/SgMcdJ mice with emulsions consisting of particles where the Mycobacterium tuberculosis and neuroantigens are localized on the phase surfaces led to severe EAE in 98.8% of the mice, overriding all sex-specific and non-sex-specific genetic checkpoints. In contrast, F(2) mice immunized with emulsions where the bacterial products and encephalitogens are buried inside the water/oil vesicles exhibited a significant reduction in disease incidence (7.5%) and a sexual dimorphism (5% male versus 10% female). A genome scan identified QTL on chromosomes 7 and 11 controlling the sexual dimorphism as a function of the physical structure of the emulsion. The chromosome 11 QTL co-localizes with eae6b, and with Il12b and heptatitis A virus cellular receptor 2 (Havcr2, formerly known as Timd3), both of which are candidate genes for this QTL. Sequence analysis of the SJL/J and B10.S/SgMcdJ alleles indicates that both gene products are structurally monomorphic. Expression analysis also excluded both as candidates for this sex-specific QTL. These results reinforce the importance of gene-environment interactions in initiating and propagating autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, particularly in the context of susceptibility to MS and disease heterogeneity.

Toxicity of a GM3 cancer vaccine in Macaca fascicularis monkey: a 12-month study

GM3 is a ganglioside that has been biochemically identified as dominating the cell surface of several human tumours, but is also found on human normal cells at much lower density. Since GM3 is widely distributed in essentially all types of animal cells, there is a conflict with the concepts of tumour-associated antigen, immunogen, and toxicity. We have designed a GM3-based cancer vaccine for the treatment of human breast and melanoma tumours. Prior to the Phase I clinical trial, we carried out a 12-month dose repeated toxicity study in five male Macaca fascicularis monkeys. Four male monkeys were treated with placebo in a similar way. During the study, no differences were observed between control and treated monkeys related to daily clinical observations (other than local damage) including rectal temperature, blood pressure, respiratory and cardiac rates, weight gain, biochemical and hematological parameters (with the exception of transitory pathological changes), and anti-DNA and anti-nuclear antibodies, although treated monkeys consistently developed both IgM- and IgG-specific anti-GM3 antibodies. Sixty per cent of treated monkeys developed moderate local reactions at the injection site, which disappeared without sequels. We concluded that this GM3 cancer vaccine overcame in monkeys the natural tolerance to GM3 ganglioside evidenced by a strong immune response, while the local reactions elicited-were transitory without apparent important systemic toxicity effects.

Encapsulation in biodegradable microparticles enhances serum antibody response to parenterally-delivered beta-amyloid in mice

Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) microspheres were tested as a parenteral delivery system for human beta-amyloid (1-42) (Abeta), a potential immunotherapeutic undergoing assessment in Phase 1 studies for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Abeta was successfully encapsulated in PLG microspheres of average sizes of 3 or 15 microm diameter. Swiss Webster (SW) mice were injected by the sub-cutaneous (s.c.) or intra-peritoneal (i.p.) routes with 3-33 microg Abeta. Abeta-PLG microparticles (3 microm) induced dose-dependent antibody responses, which were maximal at 33 microg Abeta, while Abeta in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) produced weak antibody responses at the same doses by both routes. Significantly increased antibody responses were seen for both small and large particle formulations given by the i.p. route in comparison to the s.c route. It was previously reported that passive immunisation with Abeta-specific antibodies cleared amyloid plaques in a mouse model of AD (Bard F, Cannon C, Barbour R, et al. Peripherally administered antibodies against amyloid beta-peptide enter the nervous system and reduce pathology in a mouse model of Alzheimer disease. Nature Med 2000;6:916-19), an indication that induction of serum antibody is a prerequisite for efficacy.

Assessing humoral and cell-mediated immune response in Hawaiian green turtles, Chelonia mydas

Seven immature green turtles, Chelonia mydas, captured from Kaneohe Bay on the island of Oahu were used to evaluate methods for assessing their immune response. Two turtles each were immunized intramuscularly with egg white lysozyme (EWL) in Freund's complete adjuvant, Gerbu, or ISA-70; a seventh turtle was immunized with saline only and served as a control. Humoral immune response was measured with an indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cell-mediated immune response was measured using in vitro cell proliferation assays (CPA) using whole blood or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM) cultured with concanavalin A (ConA), phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), or soluble egg EWL antigen. All turtles, except for one immunized with Gerbu and the control, produced a detectable humoral immune response by 6 weeks which persisted for at least 14 weeks after a single immunization. All turtles produced an anamnestic humoral immune response after secondary immunization. Antigen specific cell-mediated immune response in PBM was seen in all turtles either after primary or secondary immunization, but it was not as consistent as humoral immune response; antigen specific cell-mediated immune response in whole blood was rarely seen. Mononuclear cells had significantly higher stimulation indices than whole blood regardless of adjuvant, however, results with whole blood had lower variability. Both Gerbu and ISA-70 appeared to potentiate the cell-mediated immune response when PBM or whole blood were cultured with PHA. This is the first time cell proliferation assays have been compared between whole blood and PBM for reptiles. This is also the first demonstration of antigen specific cell-mediated response in reptiles. Cell proliferation assays allowed us to evaluate the cell-mediated immune response of green turtles. However, CPA may be less reliable than ELISA for detecting antigen specific immune response. Either of the three adjuvants appears suitable to safely elicit a detectable immune response in green turtles.

Influence of antigenic forms and adjuvants on the IgG subclass antibody response to Aujeszky's disease virus in mice

The influence of antigenic forms of Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV) and adjuvant types on the production of IgG subclass antibodies in mice was investigated. Particulate antigen, inactivated ADV, alone induced IgG1 and lower IgG2a antibody production, while the antigen adsorbed onto aluminum phosphate gel (alum) enhanced IgG1 antibody production but suppressed IgG2a antibody production as well as solubilized ADV antigen adsorbed onto alum. QS21 saponin purified from Quillaja saponaria promoted the production of IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies in a large extent against the both particulate and soluble antigens, while this saponin has strong hemolytic activity. Lablaboside F saponin isolated from Dolichos lablab without hemolytic activity, also induced the production of large IgG1 and little IgG2a antibody against both antigens. Oil-based adjuvant, ISA70 of water-in-oil type and ISA25 of oil-in-water type, increased IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies against the both soluble and particulate antigens, whereas a combination of ISA25 and soluble antigen reduced IgG2a antibody response. These results indicate that IgG1 antibody production was not suppressed by a combination of antigenic form and adjuvant type, however, IgG2a antibody production was influenced.

Evaluation of novel aggregate structures as adjuvants: composition, toxicity studies and humoral responses

Adjuvants are compounds that, when combined with an antigen, potentiate an immune response in an immunized species. There are numerous pathogens for which there are no protective vaccines and since alum is the only adjuvant licensed for use in humans, there is a clear need for more effective adjuvant preparations. In this study we describe the immunopotentiating properties of three novel molecular aggregate formulations based on tomatine (RAM1), a glycosylamide lipid (RAM2) and a fifth generation dendrimeric polymer (RAM3) respectively. These formulations were evaluated for their ability to augment antigen-specific antibody responses when administered with a soluble protein antigen. All three adjuvants were shown to be nontoxic to mice and elicited antigen-specific antibody responses. Of the three formulations, RAM1 was found to induce the highest titers of antibody; these were substantially higher than those induced by reference control adjuvants. RAM1 elicited antibodies of the IgG1 and IgG2a subclasses indicating, indirectly, that this adjuvant can stimulate Th2 and Th1 type immunity.

Extraintestinal manifestations of granulomatous enterocolitis induced in rabbits by long-term submucosal administration of muramyl dipeptide emulsified with Freund's incomplete adjuvant

We examined whether extraintestinal manifestations of granulomatous enterocolitis in rabbits might be produced by the long-term administration of muramyl dipeptide which represents the basic fragment of the bacterial cell wall, emulsified with Freund's incomplete adjuvant. Muramyl dipeptide emulsion was injected submucosally at six sites in the rectum and colon, 10 cm proximal to the anus, each time with a flexible endoscope. Seven rabbits were injected nine times or more every month, and all were sacrificed 1 month after the last injection. The histological changes in the colon in the seven rabbits were mononuclear cell infiltration, epithelioid granulomas, granulomatous lesion, and denuded and regenerative epithelia, although the changes differed in degree. In five of the seven rabbits, histological examination of the liver showed pericholangitis and periductal fibrosis, findings analogous to sclerosing cholangitis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. In four of the seven rabbits, fibrosis bridging mainly between portal and portal veins, and, in places, between portal and central veins, was seen. Two of the seven rabbits developed polyarthritis. The histological changes in our model suggest that continuous stimulation with bacterial cell wall fragments may be involved in the extraintestinal manifestations of chronic intestinal inflammation such as that seen in inflammatory bowel disease.

Rabbit granulomatous enterocolitis induced by injection of muramyl dipeptide emulsified with Freund's incomplete adjuvant

We induced granulomatous enterocolitis in rabbits by injecting them with muramyl dipeptide (MDP), a subunit of the peptidoglycan polymers that endow the bacterial cell wall with structural rigidity, emulsified with Freund's incomplete adjuvant (FIA). Injections of 0.1 ml of a water-in-oil emulsion of MDP and FIA were given submucosally at six sites in the rectum and colon, 10 cm proximal to the anus, using a flexible endoscope. Four rabbits each were sacrificed 1, 2, and 4 weeks after a single injection of the emulsion. Another 4 rabbits each were injected six times at 1- and 2-week intervals, and were sacrificed 1 and 2 weeks after the last injection of the emulsion, respectively. In all 20 rabbits, injected with the MDP emulsion, histological findings of the colon consisted of cellular infiltrations of plasma cells and lymphocytes, granulomatous lesions, and granulomas, although the findings differed in degree. Cellular infiltration in hyperplastic villi and denuded epithelia of the small intestine were seen in 2 of 8 rabbits repeated that received MDP emulsion injections. The histological changes in this animal model may be useful for studying the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease in humans.