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Intradermal DNA immunization by using jet-injectors in mice and monkeys
J Haensler1, C Verdelet, V Sanchez
1Pasteur Mérieux Connaught-France, Marcy l'Etoile. jhaensler@fr.pmc-vacc.com
Vaccine
|March 6, 1999
Summary
Needleless jet injectors effectively deliver DNA vaccines encoding influenza hemagglutinin (HA) into the skin, inducing robust immune responses comparable to traditional intramuscular immunization in mice and monkeys.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Intramuscular (IM) immunization is a standard method for vaccine delivery.
- DNA vaccines offer a promising platform for inducing immunity against various pathogens.
- Needle-free injection technologies are being explored to improve vaccine administration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the immunogenicity of DNA vaccines delivered via needleless jet injection into the skin versus traditional IM immunization.
- To evaluate the induction of antibody and cell-mediated immune responses.
- To assess the correlation between transgene expression and immune response at the injection site.
Main Methods:
- Delivery of a DNA vaccine encoding influenza hemagglutinin (HA) using spring-powered jet injectors into the skin of mice and monkeys.
- Comparison with classical IM immunization in mice.
- Measurement of ELISA antibody titers, hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers, and HA-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses.
- Assessment of local transgene expression using a luciferase reporter system.
Main Results:
- Both needleless skin injection and IM immunization induced significant ELISA and HI antibody titers predictive of protection against influenza.
- Both immunization routes were equally effective in inducing HA-specific CTL responses in mice.
- Antibody isotype analysis showed a more balanced IgG1/IgG2a ratio for skin injection compared to IM immunization.
- Local transgene expression was significantly higher in muscle tissue following IM injection than in skin following jet injection, with no direct correlation to immune response induction.
Conclusions:
- Needleless jet injection is a viable alternative to IM immunization for DNA vaccines encoding influenza HA, eliciting comparable protective immunity.
- The route of administration (skin vs. muscle) influences antibody isotype profiles.
- Immune response induction by DNA vaccines does not directly correlate with the level of local transgene expression at the injection site.