Interleukin-5 expressed by a recombinant virus vector enhances specific mucosal IgA responses in vivo

Several in vitro studies have shown that murine interleukin-5 (mIL-5) enhances IgA production by activated mucosal B cells. To date, however, there is no evidence that this factor significantly up-regulates mucosal IgA responses in vivo. Here, we show that expression of the gene for mIL-5 in a recombinant vaccinia virus vector markedly increases IgA responses to co-expressed heterologous antigen in the lungs of mice given intranasal inocula of the virus. The elevated local IgA responses to vectors expressing mIL-5 peaked at a fourfold higher level than those elicited by control virus at 14 days after infection and were sustained for at least 4 weeks. Increased IgA responses were abrogated in mice treated with monoclonal antibody against mIL-5 and were not detected in systemic lymphoid tissue. No enhancement of specific IgG levels was found either locally or systemically. Our results indicate that mIL-5 selectively enhances the development of mucosal IgA responses in vivo and suggest that expression of this factor in mucosal vaccine vectors may stimulate local immune reactivity.