Sublingual immunization with nonreplicating antigens induces antibody-forming cells and cytotoxic T cells in the female genital tract mucosa and protects against genital papillomavirus infection.
We have recently reported that the sublingual (s.l.) mucosa is an efficient site for inducing systemic and mucosal immune responses. In this study, the potential of s.l. immunization to induce remote Ab responses and CD8(+) cytotoxic responses in the female genital tract was examined in mice by using a nonreplicating Ag, OVA, and cholera toxin (CT) as an adjuvant. Sublingual administration of OVA and CT induced Ag-specific IgA and IgG Abs in blood and in cervicovaginal secretions. These responses were associated with large numbers of IgA Ab-secreting cells (ASCs) in the genital mucosa. Genital ASC responses were similar in magnitude and isotype distribution after s.l., intranasal, or vaginal immunization and were superior to those seen after intragastric immunization. Genital, but not blood or spleen, IgA ASC responses were inhibited by treatment with anti-CCL28 Abs, suggesting that the chemokine CCL28 plays a major role in the migration of IgA ASC progenitors to the reproductive tract mucosa. Furthermore, s.l. immunization with OVA induced OVA-specific effector CD8(+) cytolytic T cells in the genital mucosa, and these responses required coadministration of the CT adjuvant. Furthermore, s.l. administration of human papillomavirus virus-like particles with or without the CT adjuvant conferred protection against genital challenge with human papillomavirus pseudovirions. Taken together, these findings underscore the potential of s.l. immunization as an efficient vaccination strategy for inducing genital immune responses and should impact on the development of vaccines against sexually transmitted diseases.
Cuburu
Nicolas
N
Laboratory Sciences Division, International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Korea.
Kweon
Mi-Na
MN
Hervouet
Catherine
C
Cha
Hye-Ran
HR
Pang
Yuk-Ying S
YY
Holmgren
Jan
J
Stadler
Konrad
K
Schiller
John T
JT
Anjuère
Fabienne
F
Czerkinsky
Cecil
C
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000818:Animals; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000921:Antibody-Producing Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002772:Cholera Toxin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D052162:Human papillomavirus 16 / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D014771:Virion / Q000276:immunology
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D010047:Ovalbumin; D002772:Cholera Toxin