Merck + Co., Inc.

N.v. Innogenetics S.a.

Jeffrey Ulmer

Margaret A Liu

Jean Content

Donna Lorraine Montgomery

Kris Huygen

Genes encoding ( ) proteins were cloned into eukaryotic expression vectors to express the encoded proteins in mammalian muscle cells in vivo. Animals were immunized by injection of these DNA constructs, termed polynucleotide vaccines or PNV, into their muscles. Immune antisera was produced against antigens. Specific T-cell responses were detected in spleen cells of vaccinated mice and the profile of cytokine secretion in response to antigen 85 was indicative of a T 1 type of helper T-cell response (i.e., high IL-2 and IFN-&ggr;). Protective efficacy of an DNA vaccine was demonstrated in mice after challenge with BCG, as measured by a reduction in mycobacterial multiplication in the spleens and lungs of DNA-vaccinated mice compared to control DNA-vaccinated mice or primary infection in naive mice.

Polynucleotide tuberculosis vaccine

Genes encoding Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) proteins were cloned into eukaryotic expression vectors to express the encoded proteins in mammalian muscle cells in vivo. Animals were immunized by injection of these DNA constructs, termed polynucleotide vaccines or PNV, into their muscles. Immune antisera was produced against M.tb antigens. Specific T-cell responses were detected in spleen cells of vaccinated mice and the profile of cytokine secretion in response to antigen 85 was indicative of a T.sub.h 1 type of helper T-cell response (i.e., high IL-2 and IFN-.gamma.). Protective efficacy of an M.tb DNA vaccine was demonstrated in mice after challenge with M. bovis BCG, as measured by a reduction in mycobacterial multiplication in the spleens and lungs of M.tb DNA-vaccinated mice compared to control DNA-vaccinated mice or primary infection in naive mice.

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Chalfont, PA, United States of America

Jeffrey Ulmer