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Comparative affects of plasmid‐encoded interleukin 12 and interleukin 18 on the protective efficacy of DNA vaccination against Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Author(s) -
Triccas James A,
Sun Lisa,
Palendira Umaimainthan,
Britton Warwick J
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
immunology and cell biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.999
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1440-1711
pISSN - 0818-9641
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-1711.2002.01087.x
Subject(s) - plasmid , dna vaccination , mycobacterium tuberculosis , immunogenicity , tuberculosis , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , virology , immunity , vaccination , antigen , immune system , immunology , dna , medicine , genetics , pathology
Protective immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection requires the induction and maintenance of mycobacteria‐specific, IFN‐γ‐secreting CD4 + and CD8 + T lymphocytes. The development of Th1‐like T cells is promoted by the early secretion and synergistic action of interleukin (IL)‐12 and IL‐18. This study compares the effects of plasmid‐encoded IL‐12 and IL‐18 on the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a DNA vaccine expressing the M. tuberculosis ‐secreted protein antigen 85B (DNA‐85B). Co‐immunization with either IL‐12‐ or IL‐18‐expressing plasmids augmented the IFN‐γ‐secreting T‐cell response, and the maximum effect was observed with plasmids encoding both cytokines. Further the IL‐12, but not the IL‐18‐expressing plasmid, significantly increased the protective efficacy of DNA‐85B against pulmonary M. tuberculosis infection. Therefore co‐administration of plasmid‐encoded cytokines provides a potential method for optimizing the protective efficacy of DNA vaccination against tuberculosis.