The DNA vaccine vector pcDNA3 induces IFN-alpha production in pigs.
The cytokine inducing capacity of the vaccine vector pcDNA3, a methylated form of the plasmid, and pcDNA3 encoding porcine interleukin (IL)-6 or granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was studied in pigs, using a model with tissue chambers implanted subcutaneously. The production of interferon (IFN)-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-6 and GM-CSF was studied at local (tissue chamber fluid (TCF)) and systemic (serum) levels during 3 days post-injection. All forms of the plasmid, except the methylated, induced a transient local production of IFN-alpha but no plasmid-induced production of IFN-gamma, GM-CSF or IL-6 could be detected after injection of the plasmids. The IFN-alpha response increased markedly at repeated injections of pcDNA3. This IFN-alpha inducing capacity of the plasmid is likely to affect immune responses at DNA vaccination of pigs.
Johansson
Elin
E
Division of Immunology, Department of Veterinary Microbiology, SLU, BMC, Box 588, S-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden. elin.johansson@vmm.slu.se
Wallgren
P
P
Fuxler
L
L
Domeika
K
K
Lefèvre
F
F
Fossum
C
C
D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D019175:DNA Methylation; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000235:genetics; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; D013552:Swine / Q000276:immunology*; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
D016898:Interferon-alpha; D015850:Interleukin-6; D019444:Vaccines, DNA; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor