Search results for "Immunization"

Transcutaneous immunization with imiquimod is amplified by CD40 ligation and results in sustained cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activation and tumor protect…

1999

Transcutaneous immunization (TCI) using ligands of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes lead to the induction of potent T-cell responses. To characterize the efficacy of TCI-mediated CTL activation, we monitored the frequency and functional activity of specific CTL induced with TCI using the ovalbumin-derived epitope SIINFEKL composed in creme containing the synthetic TLR7 ligand R-837. We found that the frequency and activity decayed rapidly 10 d post-TCI. Consistently, no significant memory T-cell formation was detectable. In a prophylactic vaccination setting, TCI was protective against a lethal challenge with ovalbumin expressing EG.7 thymoma cells when t…

Synthesis and cell surface display of class II determinants by long-term propagated rat T line cells

1987

We have investigated the capacity of the encephalitogenic BS rat T cell line bs 83 and its variant clone bs 83.III.C6 to synthesize and express RT1.B-specific class II molecule subsets defined by monoclonal antibodies (mAb) MRC-OX6 and MRC-OX3. Earlier studies had indicated that mAb MRC-OX6 recognizes three distinct molecular species: an immature oligomeric polypeptide chain complex comprised of the polymorphic subunits alpha, beta and the invariant proteins of the gamma group; a biosynthetic intermediate composed of post-translationally modified alpha, beta and gamma chain (denoted p35) and a fully glycosylated alpha, beta two-chain complex derived from the plasma membrane. MRC-OX3 was sho…

Application of Lean Six Sigma methodology to a school based immunization project in Italy

2015

IL-4 depletion enhances host resistance and passive IgA protection against tuberculosis infection in BALB/c mice.

2007

The influence of Th2 cytokines in tuberculosis has been a matter of dispute. Here we report that IL-4 has a profound regulatory effect on the infection of BALB/c mice with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Depletion of IL-4 with a neutralizing mAb caused only evanescent reduction of lung infection, but when combined with i.n. inoculations of IgA anti-mycobacterial alpha-crystallin mAb and mouse rIFN-gamma, we observed a 40-fold reduction of the bacterial counts in the lungs at 3 wks following i.n. infection (p<0.001). In genetically deficient IL-4-/- BALB/c mice, infection in both lung and spleen was substantially reduced for up to 8 wks without further treatment. Reconstitution of IL-4-/- mice w…

mRNA Vaccination and Personalized Cancer Therapy

2014

Nucleic acid vaccines link two prerequisites for success, namely, the delivery of molecularly defined antigens as vaccine targets of interest and an inherent adjuvant activity. As compared to DNA-based approaches, in vitro-transcribed messenger RNA (mRNA) is a safer drug format due to the adjustable, transient expression and lack of genomic integration. In contrast to viral vector vaccines, mRNA vaccination is not limited by the emergence of immune responses against antigens produced by the viral vector backbones. Thus, mRNA vaccines are particularly attractive for cancer immunotherapy for which induction of clinically meaningful antigen-specific immune responses depends on repeated immuniz…

How should vaccination services be planned, organized, and managed? Results from a survey on the Italian vaccination services

2019

Background. Quality improvement is an increasingly recognized approach to maximize service effectiveness and minimize costs in public health. However, the Italian law never provided for the institutional accreditation of vaccination services. Furthermore, a recently approved law added six more compulsory vaccinations to the original four, which has led to a considerable increase in vaccination efforts, without any previous resources evaluation. The aim of the study was to investigate structural, organizational and managerial characteristics of the Italian vaccination services, in order to suggest the adoption of adequate quality standards. Study design. A survey involving the representative…

Early and Longitudinal Humoral Response to the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA BNT162b2 Vaccine in Healthcare Workers: Significance of BMI, Adipose Tissue and Muscle…

2022

Background: This study aimed to investigate the early and longitudinal humoral response in Healthcare Workers (HCWs) after two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine and to assess the association between metabolic and anthropometric parameters and the humoral response after vaccination. Methods: The study included 243 fully vaccinated HCWs: 25.50% previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 (with prior history of COVID-19&mdash;PH) and 74.40%&mdash;uninfected, seronegative before the first vaccination (with no prior history of COVID-19&mdash;NPH). IgG antibodies were measured, and sera were collected: prior to the vaccination, 21 days after the first dose, and 14 days and 8 months after the second dose. Res…

Initiation of adaptive immune responses by transcutaneous immunization.

2007

The development of new, effective, easy-to-use and lower-cost vaccination approaches for the combat against malignant and infectious diseases is a pre-eminent need: cancer is a leading cause of morbidity in the Western World; there are numerous pathogenic diseases for which we still have no protective or therapeutic cure; and the financial limitations of developing countries to fight these diseases. In this mini-review we focus on transcutaneous immunization (TCI), a relatively new route for antigen delivery. TCI protocols appear to be particularly promising by gaining access to skin resident APC, which are highly efficient for the initiation of humoral and/or cellular immune responses. Con…

Vaccines Through Centuries: Major Cornerstones of Global Health

2015

Multiple cornerstones have shaped the history of vaccines, which may contain live-attenuated viruses, inactivated organisms/viruses, inactivated toxins, or merely segments of the pathogen that could elicit an immune response. The story began with Hippocrates 400 B.C. with his description of mumps and diphtheria. No further discoveries were recorded until 1100 A.D. when the smallpox vaccine was described. During the eighteenth century, vaccines for cholera and yellow fever were reported and Edward Jenner, the father of vaccination and immunology, published his work on smallpox. The nineteenth century was a major landmark, with the "Germ Theory of disease" of Louis Pasteur, the discovery of t…

A combined measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine (Priorix-Tetra: immunogenicity and safety profile

2009

Abstract Priorix-Tetra ™ (GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals) is a combined measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine. Eight studies involving more than 3000 children were reviewed. Compared with co-administration of MMR ( Priorix ™) and varicella ( Varilrix ™) vaccines, the MMRV vaccine showed: similar immunogenicity, with immunity shown up to 3 years post-vaccination; a higher rate of fever after the first dose; a slight increase in mild local reactions after the second dose. This MMRV vaccine can be used either as a two-dose vaccine or as a second dose in children primed with separate MMR and/or varicella vaccines, offering a convenient way to introduce varicella vaccination into rou…