Route Of Antigen Administration Research Articles

Phenotypic and functional characterization of pharmacologically expanded Vγ9Vδ2 T cells in pigtail macaques

While gaining interest as treatment for cancer and infectious disease, the clinical efficacy of Vγ9Vδ2T cell-based immunotherapeutics has to date been limited. An improved understanding of γδ Tcell heterogeneity across lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues, before and after pharmacological expansion, is required. Here, we describe the phenotype and tissue distribution of Vγ9Vδ2T cells at steady state and following invivo pharmacological expansion in pigtail macaques. Intravenous phosphoantigen administration with subcutaneous rhIL-2 drove robust expansion of Vγ9Vδ2T cells in blood and pulmonary mucosa, while expansion was confined to the pulmonary mucosa following intratracheal antigen administration. Peripheral blood Vγ9Vδ2T cell expansion was polyclonal, and associated with a significant loss of CCR6 expression due to IL-2-mediated receptor downregulation. Overall, we show the tissue distribution and phenotype of invivo pharmacologically expanded Vγ9Vδ2T cells can be altered based on the antigen administration route, with implications for tissue trafficking and the clinical efficacy of Vγ9Vδ2T cell immunotherapeutics.

Alternatives to Subcutaneous Immunotherapy for Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an important public health issue worldwide due to its increasing prevalence and impact on quality of life, school performance, and work productivity. Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) is used to treat AR and involves repeated injections of allergen extracts. SCIT is used for cases of severe AR with symptoms that are not adequately controlled by medication, when the side effects of medication limit treatment options, or where the aim is to cure rather than symptomatically treat. Although SCIT is effective, it is not necessarily curative. Furthermore, there is also a low but present risk of systemic allergic reactions, with systemic side effects occurring in less than 0–1% of treated patients. Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has emerged as an effective and safe alternative to SCIT. SCIT and SLIT are the only immunotherapies currently available for AR. In addition to sublingual administration as an alternative to SCIT, other routes of antigen administration have been attempted with the goal of increasing safety while maintaining efficacy. This review discusses the efficacies of SCIT and SLIT, their mechanisms, the utility of intralymphatic immunotherapy (ILIT) as an alternative route of antigen administration, and the potential for immunotherapy using other routes of antigen administration.

Antigen-encapsulating host extracellular vesicles derived from Salmonella-infected cells stimulate pathogen-specific Th1-type responses in vivo.

Salmonella Typhimurium is a causative agent of nontyphoidal salmonellosis, for which there is a lack of a clinically approved vaccine in humans. As an intracellular pathogen, Salmonella impacts many cellular pathways. However, the intercellular communication mechanism facilitated by host-derived small extracellular vesicles (EVs), such as exosomes, is an overlooked aspect of the host responses to this infection. We used a comprehensive proteome-based network analysis of exosomes derived from Salmonella-infected macrophages to identify host molecules that are trafficked via these EVs. This analysis predicted that the host-derived small EVs generated during macrophage infection stimulate macrophages and promote activation of T helper 1 (Th1) cells. We identified that exosomes generated during infection contain Salmonella proteins, including unique antigens previously shown to stimulate protective immune responses against Salmonella in murine studies. Furthermore, we showed that host EVs formed upon infection stimulate a mucosal immune response against Salmonella infection when delivered intranasally to BALB/c mice, a route of antigen administration known to initiate mucosal immunity. Specifically, the administration of these vesicles to animals stimulated the production of anti-Salmonella IgG antibodies, such as anti-OmpA antibodies. Exosomes also stimulated antigen-specific cell-mediated immunity. In particular, splenic mononuclear cells isolated from mice administered with exosomes derived from Salmonella-infected antigen-presenting cells increased CD4+ T cells secreting Th1-type cytokines in response to Salmonella antigens. These results demonstrate that small EVs, formed during infection, contribute to Th1 cell bias in the anti-Salmonella responses. Collectively, this study helps to unravel the role of host-derived small EVs as vehicles transmitting antigens to induce Th1-type immunity against Gram-negative bacteria. Understanding the EV-mediated defense mechanisms will allow the development of future approaches to combat bacterial infections.

Dental caries vaccine: An overview

Dental caries is an irreversible microbial disease of the tooth which fulfills the idea of an infectious disease and hence the possibilities of vaccination have been considered. Many pertinent components of vaccine development, such as protein, recombinant or synthetic peptide, or DNA-based active vaccines, as well as mucosal adjuvants, such as heat-labile enterotoxins from Vibrio cholera or Escherichia coli, and chitosan, have proven effective through numerous in vitro and in vivo researches, as well as some human clinical trials. The use of adjuvants and the routes of antigen administration have both been studied to improve the host response. Vaccines such as pGJA-P/VAX, LT derivative/Pi39-512, KFD2-rPAc and SBR/GBR-CMV-nirB are few of the potential vaccines that have been produced and tested in animals in recent years. However, there is still a scarcity of information about the role of caries vaccine in human population. Multicentre collaborative studies and clinical trials of immunologically superior dental caries vaccine formulations are the need of the hour for preventing dental caries.

Dental caries vaccine: are we there yet?

Dental caries, caused by Streptococcus mutans, is a common infection. Caries vaccine has been under investigation for the last 40years. Many in vitro and in vivo studies and some human clinical trials have determined many pertinent aspects regarding vaccine development. The virulence determinants of Strep. mutans, such as Ag I/II, responsible for adherence to surfaces, glucosyltransferase, responsible for the production of glucan, and the glucan-binding protein, responsible for the attachment of glucan to surfaces, have been known to elicit an antigen-specific immune response. It is also known that more than one antigen or a functional part of the genome responsible for these virulence determinants provide a better host response compared with the monogenic vaccine or complete genome of a specific antigen. To enhance the host response, the use of adjuvants has been studied and the routes of antigen administration have been investigated. In recent years, some promising vaccines such as pGJA-P/VAX, LT derivative/Pi39-512 , KFD2-rPAc and SBR/GBR-CMV-nirB have been developed and tested in animals. New virulence targets need to be explored. Multicentre collaborative studies and human clinical trials are required and some interest from funders and public health experts should be generated to overcome this hurdle. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Dental caries is an irreversible, multifactorial opportunistic infection. The treatment is costly, making it a public health problem. Despite many years of promising laboratory research, animal studies and clinical trials, there is no commercially available vaccine today. The research objectives have become more refined from lessons learnt over the years. Multigenic DNA/recombinant vaccines, using the best proved adjuvants with a delivery system for the nasal or sublingual route, should be developed and researched with multicentre collaborative efforts. In addition, new vaccine targets can be identified. To overcome the economic hurdle, funders and public health interest should be stimulated.

Advancements In Developing Anti-Campylobacter Vaccine For Poultry

Abstract Campylobacter jejuni/coli is the leading bacterial cause of diarrhoea in humans in both developing and developed countries. Epidemiological studies show that most cases of campylobacteriosis are the result of the consumption of undercooked, contaminated poultry meat. Although campylobacteriosis is largely a self-limiting disease with low mortality, a specific treatment is required for patients infected with strains resistant to clinically important antibiotics and for patients who develop neurological symptoms or bacteremia in course of infection. Despite intensive efforts to improve an on-farm biosecurity practice over the past decade, about 70% of EU broiler chicken flocks remain Campylobacter-positive at slaughter. Control of spreading the Campylobacter infection in flocks of chickens by biosecurity actions turned out rather ineffective. The most efficient strategy to decrease the number of human Campylobacter infections may be to implement an immunoprophylactic method, namely, the protective vaccination of chickens. The publication presents the current state of knowledge on anti-Campylobacter immunoprophylaxis in poultry. 1. Campylobacteriosis – epidemiological data, disease symptoms. 2. Campylobacteriosis – source of infection. 3. Campylobacteriosis – prophylaxis. 4. Immunization of chicken. 4.1. Passive immunization. 4.2, Campylobacter Whole-cell Vaccines. 4.3. Subunit vaccines. 5. Strategies for developing modern subunit vaccines. 5.1 Searching for antigen. 5.2. The choice of a carrier. 6. Modulation of immune response. 7. The route of antigen administration. 8. Summary

Monitoring and Modulation of Inducible Foxp3+ Regulatory T-Cell Differentiation in the Lymph Nodes Draining the Small Intestine and Colon.

The mucosa-draining lymphoid tissue favors differentiation of inducible Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. Adoptive transfer of T-cell receptor (TCR) transgenic (Tg) T cells is a powerful tool to study antigen-specific regulatory T-cell differentiation in lymphoid tissues in vivo. The kinetics and nature of the T-cell response largely depend on the route of antigen administration and degree of clonal competition. Here, we describe that adoptive transfer of CD4+ DO11.10 TCR Tg T cells can be used for monitoring Foxp3+ regulatory T-cell differentiation in the gut-draining lymph nodes. We describe two routes of mucosal antigen administration, e.g., the oral and intracolonic route known to induce T-cell responses in the small intestine-draining mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) and distal colon-draining caudal and iliac lymph nodes (ILN), respectively. In particular, we discuss differences in frequency of inducible Foxp3+ regulatory T cells after adoptive transfer of variable numbers of Tg T cells and various amounts of orally gavaged ovalbumin (OVA), and explain how Foxp3+ regulatory T-cell differentiation can be modulated by coadministration of the adjuvant cholera toxin (CT) with OVA using this adoptive transfer system.

An Empirical Approach towards the Efficient and Optimal Production of Influenza-Neutralizing Ovine Polyclonal Antibodies Demonstrates That the Novel Adjuvant CoVaccine HT™ Is Functionally Superior to Freund's Adjuvant

Passive immunotherapies utilising polyclonal antibodies could have a valuable role in preventing and treating infectious diseases such as influenza, particularly in pandemic situations but also in immunocompromised populations such as the elderly, the chronically immunosuppressed, pregnant women, infants and those with chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to optimise current methods used to generate ovine polyclonal antibodies. Polyclonal antibodies to baculovirus-expressed recombinant influenza haemagglutinin from A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 H1N1 (PR8) were elicited in sheep using various immunisation regimens designed to investigate the priming immunisation route, adjuvant formulation, sheep age, and antigen dose, and to empirically ascertain which combination maximised antibody output. The novel adjuvant CoVaccine HT™ was compared to Freund’s adjuvant which is currently the adjuvant of choice for commercial production of ovine polyclonal Fab therapies. CoVaccine HT™ induced significantly higher titres of functional ovine anti-haemagglutinin IgG than Freund’s adjuvant but with fewer side effects, including reduced site reactions. Polyclonal hyperimmune sheep sera effectively neutralised influenza virus in vitro and, when given before or after influenza virus challenge, prevented the death of infected mice. Neither the age of the sheep nor the route of antigen administration appeared to influence antibody titre. Moreover, reducing the administrated dose of haemagglutinin antigen minimally affected antibody titre. Together, these results suggest a cost effective way of producing high and sustained yields of functional ovine polyclonal antibodies specifically for the prevention and treatment of globally significant diseases.

Antigen-Specific Tolerance in Immunotherapy of Th2-Associated Allergic Diseases

Allergic diseases are an increasing health concern, particularly in the developed world. The standard clinical approach to treatment of allergic disease focuses on allergen avoidance and symptom control but does little to address the underlying Th2 bias of disease. Specific immunotherapy (SIT) consisting of controlled administration of allergen, however, has been demonstrated to successfully induce desensitization and tolerance in an antigen-specific manner for a variety of Th2-mediated diseases. This review focuses on the mechanisms by which current SIT approaches induce tolerance as well as discussing attempts to modify the safety and efficacy of SIT. These refinements focus on three major aspects of SIT: the route of antigen administration, modification of the antigen to remove allergenic epitopes and reduce adverse events and choice of adjuvant used to induce tolerance and/or immune deviation from Th2 to Th1 and regulatory T-cell (Treg) phenotypes. Synthesis of these recent developments in SIT provides considerable promise for more robust therapies with improved safety profiles to improve resolution of allergic disease and its associated costs.

A caveat for T cell transfer studies: generation of cytotoxic anti-Thy1.2 antibodies in Thy1.1 congenic mice given Thy1.2+ tumors or T cells

Thy1.1 congenic B6.PL mice were used to simultaneously monitor Thy1.2+ E.G7-OVA tumors transplanted in the a.c. of the eye and i.v.-transferred tumor-specific Thy1.2+ CTLs to determine mechanisms that inhibit the tumoricidal activity of CTL responses in mice with established ocular tumors. Transferred CTLs were systemically deleted in mice with established ocular tumors. However, this deletion was not a unique mechanism of immune evasion by ocular tumors. Rather, development of Thy1.2+ tumors in the eye or skin of B6.PL mice generated cytotoxic anti-Thy1.2 antibodies that eliminated a subsequent Thy1.2+ T cell transfer. Anti-Thy1.2 immune responses in B6.PL mice were influenced by the route of antigen administration, as the serum concentration of cytotoxic anti-Thy1.2 antibodies was 92-fold greater in mice with eye tumors in comparison with mice with skin tumors. In addition, anti-Thy1.2 immune responses were detected in B6.PL mice given naïve Thy1.2+ T cells i.p. but not i.v. Anti-Thy1.2 responses were augmented in B6.PL mice with ocular Thy1.2+ EL-4 tumors that did not express OVA, suggesting immunodominance of OVA antigen over Thy1.2. Thy1.1+ T cells given i.p. was not immunogenic in Thy1.2 congenic mice. These data reaffirm that the introduction of antigens in the a.c. induces robust antibody responses. Experimentation using allotypic differences in Thy1 between donor cells and recipient mice must consider cytotoxic anti-Thy1 antibody generation in the interpretation of results.

Endogenous expression levels of autoantigens influence success or failure of DNA immunizations to prevent type 1 diabetes: addition of IL-4 increases safety.

Administration of autoantigens through DNA immunizations or via the oral route can prevent progression of islet destruction and lower the incidence of type 1 diabetes in animal models. This beneficial effect is mediated by autoreactive regulatory CD4 lymphocytes, and it is known that their induction depends on the precise dose and route of antigen administration. However, it is not clear which endogenous factors determine when such immunizations lead to activation of regulatory versus aggressive autoreactive lymphocytes and how a deleterious outcome can be avoided. Here we describe novel observations made in an animal model for virally induced type 1 diabetes, showing that the endogenous expression levels of the islet antigens and glutamic acid decarboxylase determine whether immunization with these antigens is beneficial or detrimental. Lower expression levels in beta-cells support immune regulation resulting in induction of autoreactive, regulatory cells characterized by increased IL-4 production (Th2-like), whereas higher levels favor Th1-like autoaggressive responses characterized by augmented IFN-gamma generation. Co-immunization with an IL-4-expressing plasmid reduces the risk of augmenting autoaggression and in this way increases the safety margin of this immune-based therapy. Our findings will be of importance for designing safe antigen-specific interventions for human type 1 diabetes.

Immunological Mechanisms Involved In Experimental Peptide Immunotherapy of T-Cell-Mediated Diseases

Current therapies for autoimmune diseases and allergy involve general immune suppression. However, the ideal therapy should specifically eliminate or modulate the (auto)pathogenic immune response or, alternatively, it should reinforce the regulatory response, without affecting the overall function of the immune system. This could be achieved by antigen-specific immunotherapy. Antigen-specific immunotherapy has received ample attention in the last years, and several clinical trials attempting to treat autoimmune diseases or allergy through the induction of antigen-specific tolerance or immune deviation have been conducted, albeit with varying success. Recent advances in our understanding of peripheral tolerance, regulatory T cells, and routes of antigen administration have resulted in better insight into the different working mechanisms and potential target molecules of antigen-specific immunotherapy. The experimental animal models and new technological developments force the pace in the development of these immunotherapies. The current review addresses several aspects of antigen-specific immunotherapies and focuses on the mechanisms of the different approaches in experimental autoimmune and allergy models.

Intranasal Administration of Retinal Antigens Induces Transient T cell Activation and Apoptosis within Drainage Lymph Nodes but not Spleen

Mechanisms of mucosal tolerance induction, including anergy/deletion and active suppression are frequently described as mutually exclusive; dependent upon nature, dose and route of antigen administration. We have previously described induction of low-dose tolerance with administration of retinal autoantigens via the nasorespiratory tract which is antigen-specific, suppresses both cell mediated immunity and ultimately tissue destruction in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) and is mediated by splenic-derived regulatory cells. The present data further shows that splenocytes or fractionated splenic T cells, which secrete IL-4 and IL-10 when stimulated with retinal antigen in vitro , and not regional drainage lymph node cells transfer tolerance to naı̈ve animals. Analysis of apparent mechanistic differences shows that during intranasal antigen administration, the proportion of CD4+T cells within drainage lymph nodes increases, concurrent with a burst of IFN-γ Following subsequent antigen challenge, T cells downregulate αβTCR expression and undergo apoptosis in regional drainage lymph nodes. An increase in functional Th2 cytokine activity was noted in both Con-A and retinal antigen stimulated lymph node cultures in tolerised animals. T cells from tolerized animals secreted IL-4, whereas IL-10 was secreted predominantly by the non-T cell population present equally in control and tolerized animals. Therefore, spleen derived regulatory cells which suppress Th1 responses and T cell deletion/apoptosis in regional drainage lymph nodes are mechanisms which co-exist in tolerant rats. Th2 cytokine production after immunization appears consequential to tolerance-induced Th1 suppression.

Adjuvant is the major parameter influencing the isotype profiles generated during immunization with a protein antigen, the Schistosoma mansoni Sm28-GST.

We have previously shown that immunization of mice with the vaccine candidate, the 28-kDa glutathione-S-transferase of Schistosoma mansoni (Sm28-GST), in alum or complete Freund's adjuvant, or with recombinant Salmonella typhimurium expressing Sm28-GST, induced type 2, mixed, or type 1 immune responses, respectively. In the present study we examined whether the genetic background, the dose and the route of antigen administration could modulate the profile of the immune response induced during these immunizations. Our results show that the nature of the adjuvant is the major factor that determines the profile of the response. Surprisingly, the genetic background did not influence the response, while the route of immunization, and to a lesser extent the dose of the antigen, weakly modulated the adjuvant-dependent orientation of the immune response.

Antigen-specific intestinal interleukin 10 expression is independent of dose or route of antigen administration

Antigen-specific intestinal interleukin 10 expression is independent of dose or route of antigen administration

Effect of Dose and route of antigen administration on antibody response of Lohoman selected Leghorn (LSL) and Fayoumi chicks

Effect of Dose and route of antigen administration on antibody response of Lohoman selected Leghorn (LSL) and Fayoumi chicks

Administration of dehydroepiandrosterone reverses the immune suppression induced by high dose antigen in mice.

Several factors including antigen concentration, the route of antigen administration, hormones and cytokines have shown to affect T cells to produce the distinct patterns of lymphokines which exert regulatory and effector functions of immune response. In this study, we asked whether administration of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) to mice which were tolerized by high dose of antigen could modulate T cell functions to restore the suppressed cellular immune response and to produce the distinct lymphokines. An intravenous injection of high dose of sheep red blood cells induced suppression of delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) and a single subcutaneous injection of the tolerant mice with DHEA restored the suppressed DTH response. Furthermore, in vitro treatment of spleen cells from tolerant mice with DHEA abolished the transfer of tolerance to naive recipients. Lymphocytes from the DHEA-treated tolerant mice produced more IFN-gamma and less IL-4 and IL-6 than the cells from tolerant animals without DHEA treatment. These findings indicate that DHEA could recover antigen-specific immune suppression by differentially affecting T cells to produce the distinct lymphokines.

Variants of secondary immune response in CBA and C57Bl/6 mice

The manifestation of a secondary immune response to intraperitoneal and subcutaneous injection of sheep red cells in various doses was studied in CBA and C57Bl/6 mice. The parameters under study were the delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction and antibody production assessed from the levels of antibody-producing cells of classes M and G in the lymph node and spleen. The manifestation and correlations between delayed-type hypersensitivity and antibody production were found to depend on the route of antigen administration and its first immunizing dose, interval between the two immunizations, and genetic control of the immune response.

Induction of mucosal and serum immune responses to a specific antigen of periodontal bacteria.

The dynamics of the host immune response to periodontal bacteria not only may be informative from the standpoint of specific mucosal protection to these pathogens, but also may reveal the capacity of the mucosal immune response to provide protection of the host. To this end, we have examined the immune response to chromatographically purified fimbriae of P. gingivalis administered orally or systemically with liposomes and adjuvant in BALB/c mice, high responders to this antigen. Oral administration of P. gingivalis fimbriae clearly enhanced the fimbriae-specific salivary IgA response. ELISPOT analysis revealed that significant numbers of fimbriae-specific IgA SFC were seen in lamina propria and mesenteric lymph nodes but not in Peyer's patches of mice immunized orally. In contrast, antigen-specific IgM and IgG SFC were seen mainly in the circulating blood mononuclear cells. On the other hand, subcutaneous injection of fimbriae with GM-53 also raised the fimbriae-specific IgG followed by IgM and IgA responses in serum, and both IgA and IgG responses in saliva. Oral immunization was less effective than subcutaneous injection in terms of the serum antibody response. However, the salivary antibody level of mice injected subcutaneously was similar to that of mice immunized orally. In the subcutaneously immunized mice, fimbriae-specific SFC were detected in the spleen, blood, and brachial lymph nodes by ELISPOT assay. Fimbriae-specific IgM SFC appeared earlier and antigen-specific IgG SFC were seen later. These results show that the combined use of fimbriae together with the adjuvant results in sharply increased IgA responses in saliva and IgG responses in serum. In summary, it is clear that the nature of the host's antibody response in serum and mucosal secretions is distinct, and depends on the route of antigen administration, the use of adjuvant and/or liposomes, and the temporal phase of the humoral immune response following various immunization regimes.

The effect of ultraviolet radiation on humoral immune responses to T-dependent antigens

Multiple exposures to broadband ultraviolet (uv) radiation resulted in alterations in the ability of BALB/c mice to produce antibodies to the T-dependent antigens ovalbumin and sheep erythrocytes following intraperitoneal, intradermal, and intravenous inoculation. A number of differences were observed in the influence of uv radiation on the specific cells producing antibody, as opposed to pure serological analyses. While both enhancement and reduction of the humoral response occurred, the experiments have suggested that the alterations in antibody responses following uv irradiation appear to be dependent on the nature of the antigen, the route of antigen administration, and the sometimes transient nature of the responses. The intradermal route of antigen inoculation was under the greatest influence of uv radiation.