IL-15 expression plasmid enhances cell-mediated immunity induced by an HIV-1 DNA vaccine

Cytokines are powerful regulators of the immune response. In this study, an HIV-1 envelope DNA vaccine and interleukin 15 (IL-15) expression plasmid were intranasally administered to mice. A significant increase in the HIV-1-specific DTH response and CTL activity, and decrease in the serum IgG/IgG2a ratio was observed in the group which received DNA vaccine and IL-15 expression plasmid compared to DNA vaccination alone. Restimulated immune lymphoid cells from mice which received both agents showed enhanced production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and reduced secretion of IL-4. However, administration of DNA vaccine with IL-15 and IL-2 or IL-12 expression plasmids did not alter the effect of IL-15 expression plasmid on the DNA vaccine. These results indicate that intranasal administration of DNA vaccine and IL-15 expression plasmid is capable of enhancing the T helper type 1 (Th1) dependent HIV-1-specific cell-mediated immunity, and that the IL-15 and IL-2 or IL-12 expression plasmids may not have a synergistic effect on the immune response induced by DNA vaccine in vivo.