The Effects of GM‐CSF and IL ‐5 as Molecular Adjuvants on Immune Responses and Contraception Induced by mZP 3 DNA Vaccination

Problem Various approaches have been developed to improve the antibody response of zona pellucida glycoprotein‐3 ( ZP 3) vaccination. In this study, we investigated whether GM‐CSF and IL ‐5 can be used as cytokine adjuvants to increase the humoral immune response generated by mouse ZP 3 ( mZP 3) DNA vaccine. Method of study Mice in experimental group were injected by GM‐CSF 4 days before the co‐immunization of IL ‐5 and mZP 3 DNA vaccine. The contraception and the correlation with humoral and cellular immune responses were analyzed after immunization and mating. The effect of cytokine adjuvant on the maturation of DC s was evaluated. Results Co‐immunization of GM‐CSF and IL ‐5 with mZP 3 DNA vaccine induced the highest level of serum IgG and IL ‐4 expression in CD 4 + T cells. Importantly, this strategy reduced mice fertility without disrupting normal ovarian morphology. GM‐CSF enhanced the maturation of DC s evidenced by up‐regulating the expression of MHC ‐II and CD 86. Conclusion GM‐CSF and IL‐5 co‐administration enhanced humoral immune responses to mZP 3, and this may be a potential strategy for development of immunocontraceptive vaccine.