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Do DNA vaccines induce autoimmune disease?
G Mor1, M Singla, A D Steinberg
1Section of Retroviral Immunology, Food and Drug Administration, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Human Gene Therapy
|February 10, 1997
Summary
This study investigated DNA vaccines and autoimmunity. Results show DNA vaccines did not trigger anti-DNA or anti-muscle autoantibodies, nor did they accelerate autoimmune disease in lupus-prone mice.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
- Autoimmunity
Background:
- DNA vaccines are a novel vaccine platform.
- Concerns exist regarding their potential to induce autoimmunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if plasmid DNA vaccines induce autoantibody production.
- To assess the impact of DNA vaccines on autoimmune disease development.
Main Methods:
- BALB/c mice and lupus-prone (NZB x NZW)F1 mice were immunized with DNA plasmids.
- Quantification of B cells secreting anti-DNA autoantibodies.
- Monitoring for anti-muscle cell autoantibodies and clinical signs of autoimmune disease.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in B cells producing immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-DNA autoantibodies was observed post-vaccination.
- This increase correlated with transient serum anti-DNA autoantibody titers but not disease.
- No evidence of anti-muscle cell autoantibodies or myositis was found.
- DNA vaccination did not affect the onset or progression of autoimmune disease in lupus-prone mice.
Conclusions:
- Plasmid DNA vaccines do not appear to initiate or accelerate systemic autoimmunity.
- The observed autoantibody production is transient and not pathogenic.
- DNA vaccines are unlikely to pose a risk for inducing or worsening autoimmune conditions.