CpG adjuvant enhances the mucosal immunogenicity and efficacy of a Treponema pallidum DNA vaccine in rabbits

Abstract

Objectives: The protective response against Treponema pallidum (Tp) infection of a DNA vaccine enhanced by an adjuvant CpG ODN was investigated. Results: The mucosal adjuvant CpG ODN enhanced the production of higher levels of anti-TpGpd antibodies induced by pcD/Gpd-IL-2 in rabbits. It also resulted in higher levels of secretion of IL-2 and IFN-α, and facilitated T cell proliferation and differentiation (p < 0.05). No significant difference about testing index above-mentioned was found in the intranasal immunization group of pcD/Gpd-IL-2 vaccine adjuvanted by CpG ODN when compared with the immunization by pcD/ Gpd-IL-2 vaccine intramuscular injection alone (p > 0.05). Furthermore, CpG ODN stimulated the production of mucosaspecific anti-sIgA antibodies and resulted in the lowest Tp-positive rate (6.7%) for Tp-infection of skin lesions and the lowest rates (8.3%) of ulceration lesions, thus achieving better protective effects. Methods: New Zealand rabbits were immunized with the eukaryotic vector encoding recombinant pcD/Gpd-IL-2 using intramuscular multi-injection or together with mucosal enhancement via a nasal route. The effect of the mucosal adjuvant CpG ODN was examined. Conclusions: The CpG ODN adjuvant significantly enhances the humoral and cellular immune effects of the immunization by pcD/Gpd-IL-2 with mucosal enhancement via nasal route. It also stimulates strong mucosal immune effects, thus initiating more efficient immune-protective effects. © 2013 Landes Bioscience.