Fusing subunit antigens to interleukin-2 and encapsulating them in liposomes improves their antigenicity but not their protective efficacy.
Subunit vaccines commonly lack sufficient immunogenicity to stimulate a comprehensive protective immune response in vivo. We have investigated the potential of specific cytokines (interleukin-2) and particulate delivery systems (liposomes) to enhance antigenicity. Here we report that the IgG1 and IFN-gamma responses to a subunit antigen, consisting of a T and B-cell epitope from Influenza haemagglutinin, can be improved when it is both fused to interelukin-2 and encapsulated in liposomes. However, this vaccine formulation was not able to protect animals against a challenge with live Influenza A/PR/8/34 virus. The addition of more potent immune stimulators may be necessary to improve responses.
Wales
J R
JR
The Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Baird
M A
MA
Davies
N M
NM
Buchan
G S
GS
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D000941:Antigens / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018985:Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019267:Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008081:Liposomes; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D022223:Vaccines, Subunit / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000941:Antigens; D018985:Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; D019267:Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D007376:Interleukin-2; D008081:Liposomes; D022223:Vaccines, Subunit; D007371:Interferon-gamma