Prevention and treatment of DNA vaccine encoding cockroach allergen Bla g 1 in a mouse model of allergic airway inflammation.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

One-fourth of the US population is sensitized to the German cockroach. Primary German cockroach allergen Bla g 1 is detected in 63% of homes and 52% of childcare facilities in the United States. No effective treatment or vaccination strategies are yet available.

OBJECTIVES:

We evaluated the prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy of a plasmid DNA-mediated vaccination using the Bla g 1 gene in a mouse model of allergic inflammatory airway disease.

METHODS:

A plasmid DNA vector coding for the Bla g 1 allergen controlled by cytomegalovirus promoter was constructed. To estimate the protective efficacy, BALB/c mice were given three injections of plasmid DNA-Bla g 1 prior to sensitization with two priming doses of recombinant Bla g 1 (rBla g 1) antigens, followed by nebulized rBla g 1 challenge. In the therapeutic approach, sensitization was followed by administering Bla g 1 DNA vaccine.

RESULTS:

Bla g 1 vaccination significantly reduced allergen-induced airway inflammation, even after mice were presensitized and a Th2-dominant response was established. The Bla g 1 vaccination significantly reduced total inflammatory cell infiltrate, eosinophilia, secretion of Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-5 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, allergen-induced inflammatory infiltrates in the lungs, and Bla g 1-specific IgE in serum upon challenge with rBla g 1. Importantly, Bla g 1 DNA vaccination was able to induce IL-10-secreting regulatory T cells that could suppress the allergen-specific Th2 cells.

CONCLUSION:

DNA vaccination showed protective and therapeutic efficacy against a clinically relevant allergen Bla g 1.

• Authors: B Zhou, M Ensell, Y Zhou, U Nair, J Glickstein, M H Kermany, Q Cai, C Cai, W Liu, Y-P Deng, A Kakigi, M Barbieri, M Mora, S Kanangat, T J Yoo
• Journal: Allergy (Allergy) Vol. 67 Issue 2 Pg. 166-74 (Feb 2012) ISSN: 1398-9995 [Electronic] Denmark
• PMID: 21958323 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Chemical References

• Allergens
• Antigens, Plant
• Cytokines
• Vaccines, DNA
• allergen Bla g 1
• Immunoglobulin E

Topics

• Allergens
• Animals
• Antigens, Plant (genetics, immunology)
• Cockroaches (immunology)
• Cytokines (blood, immunology)
• Female
• Gene Expression
• Immunoglobulin E (blood, immunology)
• Injections, Intramuscular
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Respiratory Hypersensitivity (drug therapy, prevention & control, therapy)
• T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory (immunology)
• Vaccines, DNA (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)