Search results for "vaccines"
showing 10 items of 554 documents
Immunological analyses of human papillomavirus capsids
2001
Recombinant human papillomavirus (HPV) virus-like particles (VLPs) are promising vaccine candidates for controlling anogenital HPV disease. Questions remain, however, concerning the extent of capsid antigenic similarity between closely related virus genotypes. To investigate this issue, we produced VLPs and corresponding polyclonal immune sera from several anogenital HPV types, and examined these reagents in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and in cross-neutralization studies. Despite varying degrees of L1 genetic sequence relatedness, VLPs of each type examined induced high-titer serum polyclonal antibody responses that were entirely genotype-specific. In an in vitro infectivity…
A proteomic-based approach for the identification ofCandida albicans protein components present in a subunit vaccine that protects against disseminat…
2006
Candidiasis has become a prevalent infection in different types of immunocompromised patients. The cell wall of Candida albicans plays important functions during the host-fungus interactions. Cell wall (surface) proteins of C. albicans are major elicitors of host immune responses during candidiasis, and represent candidates for vaccine development. Groups of mice were vaccinated subcutaneously with a beta-mercaptoethanol (beta-ME) extract from C. albicans containing cell wall proteins. Vaccinated mice were then infected with a lethal dose of C. albicans. Increased survival and decreased fungal burden were observed in vaccinated mice as compared to a control group, and 75% of vaccinated mice…
Vaccination with TAT-Antigen Fusion Protein Induces Protective, CD8+ T Cell-Mediated Immunity Against Leishmania Major
2010
In murine leishmaniasis, healing is mediated by IFN-γ-producing CD4 + and CD8 + T cells. Thus, an efficacious vaccine should induce Th1 and Tc1 cells. Dendritic cells (DCs) pulsed with exogenous proteins primarily induce strong CD4-dependent immunity; induction of CD8 responses has proven to be difficult. We evaluated the immunogenicity of fusion proteins comprising the protein transduction domain of HIV-1 TAT and the Leishmania antigen LACK ( Leishmania homolog of receptors for activated C kinase), as TAT-fusion proteins facilitate major histocompatibility complex class I-dependent antigen presentation. In vitro , TAT–LACK-pulsed DCs induced stronger proliferation of Leishmania -specific C…
Speculation on whether a vaccine against cryptosporidiosis is a reality or fantasy
1999
In this paper the authors question whether the development of a vaccine against cryptosporidiosis could be taken into consideration. The necessity and feasibility of such a vaccine for human and veterinary application is discussed. Developmental stages within the life cycle of the parasite that might act as possible targets for vaccine development are summarised, as well as the target antigens offered by molecular biology and immunology studies. Vaccination trials against cryptosporidiosis carried out so far, including the active and passive immunisation approach, are also overviewed. It seems that with respect to a Cryptosporidium vaccine two target groups can be considered: children of th…
Expression of B-Cell Activating Factor Enhances Protective Immunity of a Vaccine against Pseudomonas aeruginosa
2009
ABSTRACT B-cell activating factor (BAFF), a member of the TNF family, is a potent cytokine with stimulatory effects on B and T cells. To evaluate the potential of transient overexpression of BAFF to enhance vaccine immunogenicity, a replication-deficient adenovirus expressing full-length murine BAFF (AdBAFF) was tested in a mouse vaccine model against Pseudomonas aeruginosa . When coadministered with heat-killed P. aeruginosa , AdBAFF mediated a significant increase in anti- P. aeruginosa- specific serum and lung mucosal antibodies and resulted in improved protection against a lethal respiratory challenge with P. aeruginosa . This effect was independent of the site of administration of AdBA…
An open-label, prospective phase I/II study evaluating the immunogenicity and safety of a ras peptide vaccine plus GM-CSF in patients with non-small …
2007
Mutations of the ras gene have been reported in 20-40% of NSCLC patients. If present, they are critical for the malignant phenotype of these tumors. Therefore, targeting them by specific vaccination is a promising therapeutic approach. In a clinical trial we screened for ras mutations in patients with NSCLC. Patients with ras-positive tumors were immunized six times intradermally with a mixture of seven peptides representing the most common ras mutations. Objectives of the study were the feasibility, efficacy and safety of the vaccination. In addition, the induction of a specific immune reaction was investigated by DTH tests, and the induction of peptide-specific T cells was tested in ex vi…
Knowledge, opinions and attitudes of Italian mothers towards HPV vaccination and Pap test
2015
Aim This study evaluated the knowledge and attitudes of Italian mothers – whose daughters had been vaccinated in 2012 – towards primary (anti-HPV vaccination) and secondary (Pap test screening) cervical cancer prevention, as well as sources of information and mother-daughter communication on health issues. Methods The survey – part of a multicenter study carried out in 4 Italian cities (Ferrara, Rome, Cassino and Palermo) – was conducted through self-administered questionnaires. The first univariate analysis evaluated differences between mothers of under-18s and over-18s relative to knowledge and attitudes on HPV vaccination and Pap test. The second univariate analysis evaluated differences…
Determinants of intracellular RNA pharmacokinetics: Implications for RNA-based immunotherapeutics
2011
RNAs with optimized properties are increasingly investigated as a tool to deliver the genetic information of complete antigens into professional antigen-presenting dendritic cells for HLA haplotype-independent antigen-specific vaccination against cancer. As the dose of the antigen and duration of its presentation are critical factors for generating strong and sustained antigen-specific immune responses, improvement of the immunobioavailability of RNA-based vaccines has been a recurrent subject of research. Substantial increase of the amount of antigen produced from RNA can be achieved by optimizing RNA stability and translational efficiency. Both features are determined by cis-acting elemen…
Phosphorothioate cap analogs increase stability and translational efficiency of RNA vaccines in immature dendritic cells and induce superior immune r…
2010
Vaccination with in vitro transcribed RNA coding for tumor antigens is considered a promising approach for cancer immunotherapy and has already entered human clinical testing. One of the basic objectives for development of RNA as a drug is the optimization of immunobioavailability of the encoded antigen in vivo. By analyzing the effect of different synthetic 5' mRNA cap analogs on the kinetics of the encoded protein, we found that m(2)(7,2'-O)Gpp(S)pG (beta-S-ARCA) phosphorothioate caps, in particular the D1 diastereoisomer, profoundly enhance RNA stability and translational efficiency in immature but not mature dendritic cells. Moreover, in vivo delivery of the antigen as beta-S-ARCA(D1)-c…
Protection against myxomatosis and rabbit viral hemorrhagic disease with recombinant myxoma viruses expressing rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus capsi…
1996
Two myxoma virus-rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) recombinant viruses were constructed with the SG33 strain of myxoma virus to protect rabbits against myxomatosis and rabbit viral hemorrhagic disease. These recombinant viruses expressed the RHDV capsid protein (VP60). The recombinant protein, which is 60 kDa in size, was antigenic, as revealed by its reaction in immunoprecipitation with antibodies raised against RHDV. Both recombinant viruses induced high levels of RHDV- and myxoma virus-specific antibodies in rabbits after immunization. Inoculations by the intradermal route protected animals against virulent RHDV and myxoma virus challenges.