Protective role for plasmid DNA-mediated VIP gene transfer in non-obese diabetic mice.

Abstract

Studies focused on the development of diabetes in NOD mice-a model for human type 1 diabetes-have revealed that an autoimmune inflammatory process is produced by the effect of Th1 cells and their secreted cytokines. DNA vaccination has been shown to be an effective method for modulating immunity in viral infections and experimental autoimmune diseases, including diabetes. VIP's immunomodulatory properties are partly mediated by skewing the pattern of cytokines from a proinflammatory response to an anti-inflammatory response. Using gene delivery to express VIP, we interfered in the immune process leading to diabetes in prone, cyclophosphamide-treated NOD mice. Our results extend the role of VIP in the control of immunoregulatory networks and open new perspectives for immunointervention through VIP-based gene therapy.

• Authors: Juan Luis Herrera, Rafael Fernández-Montesinos, Elena González-Rey, Mario Delgado, David Pozo
• Journal: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences (Ann N Y Acad Sci) Vol. 1070 Pg. 337-41 (Jul 2006) ISSN: 0077-8923 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16888188 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide

Topics

• Animals
• Diabetes Mellitus (genetics, prevention & control)
• Female
• Gene Transfer Techniques
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred NOD
• Plasmids (genetics)
• Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (genetics)