title: Continuous antigenic stimulation system (CASS) as a new immunization strategy.
abstract: Protection against diseases is mediated by a sustained immune response. Here, we describe a new immunization strategy. Mice implanted with encapsulated C2C12 myoblasts secreting human factor IX (hFIX) elicited a strong humoral response against the transgene, as compared to mice immunized with complete Freund's adjuvant (FA). Mice also had increasing IgG2a antibody titer, indicating a switch to a Th1 profile immune response. Mice developed strong hFIX-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) that was detectable 213 days after implantation, demonstrating the sustained immunity elicited by encapsulated cells. Here, we propose continuous antigenic stimulation system (CASS) as a novel immunization strategy with potential application in the design of novel vaccines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University Health Sciences Centre, Hamilton, Ont., Canada L8N 3Z5.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gomez-Vargas
authors.forename: Kenneth L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Rosenthal
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: McDermott
authors.forename: Gonzalo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hortelano
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000941:Antigens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D001682:Biological Availability; D002460:Cell Line; D003429:Cross Reactions; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005164:Factor IX / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007114:Immunization / Q000379:methods*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000032:analysis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D032446:Myoblasts; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D005164:Factor IX