Oral DNA immunization in the second trimester fetal lamb and secondary immune responses in the neonate

We previously demonstrated that oral DNA vaccination of the third trimester fetus may be an effective strategy to prevent vertical disease transmission despite an immature immune system and the possibility of developing tolerance. The present investigation examined oral DNA vaccine delivery and immunogenicity in the second trimester fetal lamb (50-100 days of gestation (dg)). Histological examination revealed nucleated cells in the superficial layers of the oral mucosa. Therefore, luciferase-encoding DNA plasmid was injected into the oral cavity of 65-70 dg fetuses to monitor plasmid expression. Luciferase activity was detected in the oral mucosa of all fetuses but the level of luciferase activity varied among individual fetuses. Luciferase activity was also detected within the tonsils and lymph nodes draining the oral cavity. Oral DNA immunization between 55 and 83 dg with a truncated glycoprotein D (tgD)-encoding plasmid induced germinal centres in the draining lymph nodes and detectable tgD-specific serum antibody titers and/or IFNgamma-secreting cell responses in 16 of 24 (67%) fetuses. The tgD-specific antibody and IFNgamma responses persisted until birth in some fetuses but the magnitude of antibody titers in second trimester fetuses was low relative to antibody titers induced following oral DNA immunization in the third trimester. Lambs immunized during the second trimester of gestation responded to neonatal DNA immunization and anamnestic responses were detected in some lambs immunized as early as 67-72 dg. These observations confirmed that oral DNA immunization of the early second trimester fetus induced antigen-specific immune responses with no evidence of tolerance induction.