title: Formulation of an immunogenic human cytomegalovirus vaccine: responses in mice.
abstract: The immunogenicity of a vaccine formulation consisting of recombinant-derived human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) glycoprotein B (UL55) combined with a chemically defined adjuvant derived from saponin, QS-21, was evaluated in mice. The immune responses of mice given the gB/QS-21 formulation were compared with those induced by gB combined with either Freund's adjuvant or aluminum hydroxide. The gB/QS-21 combination induced higher levels of virus-binding antibodies and significantly higher levels of virus-neutralizing antibodies than gB combined with either Freund's adjuvant or aluminum hydroxide. Animals given gB/QS-21 exhibited IgG subclass switching and produced significant titers of virus-specific IgG2a antibodies. Furthermore, animals given gB/QS-21 produced antigen-specific cytotoxic spleen cells. Because of its immunogenicity, a subunit vaccine containing HCMV gB and QS-21 offers a potential approach to the immunoprophylaxis of HCMV disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham 35233.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Britt
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fay
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Seals
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kensil
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000536:Aluminum Hydroxide / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant; D006801:Humans; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D017578:Immunoglobulin Class Switching; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D012503:Saponins / Q000276:immunology*; D014611:Vaccination; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000276:immunology; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D012503:Saponins; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; D014765:Viral Vaccines; C040495:glycoprotein B, Simplexvirus; D000536:Aluminum Hydroxide; C078785:saponin QA-21V1; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant