title: Intranasal immunization with influenza virus and Korean mistletoe lectin C (KML-C) induces heterosubtypic immunity in mice.
abstract: The mucosal adjuvanticity of Korean mistletoe lectin C (KML-C) was investigated in mice intranasally immunized with inactivated influenza virus (H1N1). Mucosal and systemic immune responses were compared to those induced with cholera toxin B subunit (CTB). KML-C increased influenza-specific antibodies with dominant IgG1 subclass in serum, IgG in genital secretions and IgA in saliva, and significantly enhanced influenza-specific lymphocyte proliferation and cytotoxic activity in spleens and in mediastinal lymph nodes. When KML-C was used as a mucosal adjuvant, mice were completely protected from mortality after the challenge with a homologous (H1N1) mouse-adapted influenza virus. After challenge with heterologous (H3N2) influenza virus the level of heterosubtypic immunity in KML-C-treated mice was comparable to that of mice that received CTB as adjuvant. These findings suggest that KML-C may be used as an effective mucosal adjuvant.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biomedical Research, Han Dong University, Namsong-Ri 3, Buk-Ku, Pohang, Kyungbuk 791-940, South Korea. sksong@handong.edu
authors.forename: Seong Kyu
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Zina
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Moldoveanu
authors.forename: Huan H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: Eui Ho
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kwan Yong
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Jong Bae
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jiri
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mestecky
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D007114:Immunization; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000276:immunology*; D053122:Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype / Q000276:immunology*; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D014784:Mistletoe; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / Q000008:administration & dosage; D037121:Plant Lectins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; C408982:CPG-oligonucleotide; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D037121:Plant Lectins