Conjugation of interferon-gamma to antigen enhances its adjuvanticity.
Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is an effective immunological adjuvant when mixed and injected with antigen, and previous work has shown that to be at its most effective IFN-gamma and antigen should contact the same antigen-presenting cells. The present study is an attempt to increase the adjuvanticity of IFN-gamma by ensuring that this happens through the use of an IFN-gamma-antigen conjugate. The use of biotinylated IFN-gamma, mixed with the antigen, avidin, significantly enhanced delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses to avidin, and caused a slight, but insignificant, increase in secondary antibody responses. Combined IFN-gamma-antigen molecules could provide a means of further enhancing vaccine immunogenicity.
Heath
A W
AW
University College, Middlesex School of Medicine, London.
Playfair
J H
JH
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D001360:Avidin / Q000276:immunology; D001710:Biotin; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000941:Antigens; D001360:Avidin; D001710:Biotin; D007371:Interferon-gamma