title: Protective role for plasmid DNA-mediated VIP gene transfer in non-obese diabetic mice.
abstract: Studies focused on the development of diabetes in NOD mice-a model for human type 1 diabetes-have revealed that an autoimmune inflammatory process is produced by the effect of Th1 cells and their secreted cytokines. DNA vaccination has been shown to be an effective method for modulating immunity in viral infections and experimental autoimmune diseases, including diabetes. VIP's immunomodulatory properties are partly mediated by skewing the pattern of cytokines from a proinflammatory response to an anti-inflammatory response. Using gene delivery to express VIP, we interfered in the immune process leading to diabetes in prone, cyclophosphamide-treated NOD mice. Our results extend the role of VIP in the control of immunoregulatory networks and open new perspectives for immunointervention through VIP-based gene therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the University of Seville School of Medicine, Avda. Sanchez Pizjuan, 4, 41009 Sevilla, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Herrera
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fernández-Montesinos
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: González-Rey
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Delgado
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pozo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D051379:Mice; D016688:Mice, Inbred NOD; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics*; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide