Prevention of long-term IgE antibody production by gene gun-mediated DNA vaccination.

Background Vaccination with allergen-encoding DNA represents a promising approach for the treatment of allergic diseases. Objective In a mouse model of type I allergy, we analyzed the ability of biolistic transfection to inhibit antigen-specific IgE production and to modulate T H 2 responses. Methods BALB/c mice were vaccinated by means of gene gun–mediated DNA immunization with plasmid vector pCMV-βGal, encoding β-galactosidase as a model allergen. Subsequently, mice were immunized by means of repeated intraperitoneal injection of β-galactosidase adsorbed to the adjuvant aluminum hydroxide. Development of IgE, IgG1, and IgG2a antibody titers during the course of immunization was followed, …