NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - DNA vaccination, using a “gene gun,” can prevent long-term IgE antibody production in a mouse model of type I allergy, according to a report in the October issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
The gene gun is a helium-powered device that bombards the skin with DNA-coated gold particles. Because the plasmids are directly introduced into the epidermal cells, much less DNA is needed to induce an immune reaction than with standard injection methods.
Dr. Stephan Sudowe and colleagues, from the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz in Germany, used the gene gun to deliver a plasmid vector encoding beta-galactosidase, a model allergen, to mice. The animals then received repeated intraperitoneal injections of beta-galactosidase and IgE levels were measured.
The gene gun-mediated DNA vaccination prevented long-term IgE production. At the same time, a drop in IgG1 antibody levels and an increase in IgG2 levels were noted.
Analysis of immune cells revealed a shift from a TH2-biased response in control animals to a more mixed TH1/TH2 response in vaccinated mice. In addition, the authors found increased numbers of interferon-gamma-producing CD8+ effector T cells in vaccinated animals.
“We demonstrated that prophylactic gene gun-mediated DNA vaccination represents a promising tool to interfere with the generation of TH2 responses and to prevent IgE antibody production,” Dr. Sudowe’s team state. However, further research is needed to determine if this approach also works against ongoing IgE production.
Source: J Allergy Clin Immunol 2004;114:951-957. [ Google search on this article ]
MeSH Headings:Animal Diseases: Biological Therapy: Disease Models, Animal: Genetic Engineering: Genetic Techniques: Injections, Jet: Investigative Techniques: Recombinant Proteins: Therapeutics: Vaccines, Synthetic: Gene Therapy: Gene Transfer: Vaccines, DNA: Biolistics: Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment: DiseasesCopyright © 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.
