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Fetal immunization by a DNA vaccine delivered into the oral cavity
V Gerdts1, L A Babiuk, van Drunen Littel-van den Hurk
1Veterinary Infectious Disease Organization, University of Saskatchewan, S7N 5E3 Saskatoon, Canada.
Insights
Fetal immunization via DNA vaccine in amniotic fluid shows promise for preventing neonatal infectious diseases. This approach successfully induced robust immune responses in fetal lambs, offering a potential new strategy against infant mortality.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neonatal Health
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Infectious diseases are a leading cause of neonatal mortality worldwide.
- Existing prevention methods like C-sections and maternal therapies do not eliminate transmission risks.
- Fetal immunization presents a potential strategy to actively protect newborns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of fetal immunization using DNA vaccines.
- To assess the induction of both systemic and local immunity in fetuses.
Main Methods:
- A single DNA vaccine was administered into the amniotic fluid of fetal lambs via oral cavity delivery.
- Immune responses, including serum antibody titers and cell-mediated immunity, were measured.
- Local immunity in oral cavities was also assessed.
Main Results:
- The DNA vaccine induced high serum antibody titers in fetal lambs.
- A significant cell-mediated immune response was observed.
- Local immunity was successfully induced in the oral cavities of the treated fetuses.
Conclusions:
- Fetal immunization with DNA vaccines delivered into the amniotic fluid is a viable approach.
- This method effectively stimulates both systemic and local immune responses in utero.
- It holds potential for reducing neonatal morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases.
Abstract:
Infectious diseases are the main cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality in humans. The World Health Organization estimated that in 1995 approximately 8 million infants died within the first year of life from infectious diseases, including 5 million during the first week of life. Some of the salient pathogens involved include herpes simplex virus, human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, human cytomegalovirus, group B streptococcus, hemophilus and chlamydia. Infection with these pathogens usually occurs at the end of pregnancy, during birth or by breastfeeding. To reduce the risk of disease transmission, caesarian sections, prophylactic treatment with antibiotics or maternal antiviral therapy during the last trimester are used where available, together with improved neonatal care. None of these approaches, however, completely eliminates the risk of neonatal infection. Therefore, active or passive immunization of the fetus might represent an effective approach to reduce the high risk of neonatal diseases. Here, we demonstrate that a single immunization with a DNA vaccine delivered into the amniotic fluid in the oral cavity induces high serum antibody titers and a cell-mediated immune response, combined with induction of local immunity in the oral cavities of fetal lambs.
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