title: Effect of dose and long-term storage on the immunogenicity of murine polyomavirus VP1 virus-like particles.
abstract: We have analysed the stability and immunogenicity of murine polyomavirus virus-like particles (VLPs) following intranasal administration without adjuvant. No morphological or immunological changes were observed in a preparation of these VLPs stored for 9 weeks at room temperature. Strong humoral and cellular (Th1) responses were obtained after a single 5.55 microg dose immunisation, which are efficiently boosted after a second dose. However, at dose concentrations above 0.22 microg/microl, these VLPs appear to aggregate and, when used for immunisations, they fail to induce a strong cellular response, even though the humoral response is unaffected. These results may reflect the differential processing of VLP aggregates by the immune system or, alternatively, VLP neutralisation by antibodies induced after a primary immunisation.
authors.affiliation: Viral Oncology Unit, ICSM at St. Mary's Hospital, Norfolk Place, W2 1PG London, UK. w.caparros-wanderley@lipoxen.com
authors.forename: Wilson
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Caparrós-Wanderley
authors.forename: Barnaby
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Beverly E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Griffin
mesh_terms: D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D002460:Cell Line; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D004355:Drug Stability; D004356:Drug Storage; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000276:immunology; D011120:Polyomavirus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D016207:Cytokines; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated; D014765:Viral Vaccines; D007371:Interferon-gamma