Induction of CD4+ T cell-dependent CD8+ type 1 responses in humans by a malaria DNA vaccine
Abstract
We assessed immunogenicity of a malaria DNA vaccine administered by needle i.m. or needleless jet injection [i.m. or i.m./intradermally (i.d.)] in 14 volunteers. Antigen-specific IFN-γ responses were detected by enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assays in all subjects to multiple 9- to 23-aa peptides containing class I and/or class II restricted epitopes, and were dependent on both CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. Overall, frequency of response was significantly greater after i.m. jet injection. CD8+-dependent cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) were detected in 8/14 volunteers. Demonstration in humans of elicitation of the class I restricted IFN-γ responses we believe necessary for protection against the liver stage of malaria parasites brings us closer to an effective malaria vaccine.
- Publication:
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Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- September 2001
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.181123498
- Bibcode:
- 2001PNAS...9810817W
- Keywords:
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- Immunology