CA2361601A1 - Electrically-mediated enhancement of dna vaccine immunity and efficacy in vivo - Google Patents
Electrically-mediated enhancement of dna vaccine immunity and efficacy in vivo Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2361601A1 CA2361601A1 CA002361601A CA2361601A CA2361601A1 CA 2361601 A1 CA2361601 A1 CA 2361601A1 CA 002361601 A CA002361601 A CA 002361601A CA 2361601 A CA2361601 A CA 2361601A CA 2361601 A1 CA2361601 A1 CA 2361601A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- dna
- protein
- hiv
- administered
- pathogen
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 230000001404 mediated effect Effects 0.000 title abstract description 8
- 238000001727 in vivo Methods 0.000 title description 16
- 229960005486 vaccine Drugs 0.000 title description 6
- 230000036039 immunity Effects 0.000 title description 5
- 238000004520 electroporation Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 57
- 108090000623 proteins and genes Proteins 0.000 claims abstract description 37
- 230000028993 immune response Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- 241000283973 Oryctolagus cuniculus Species 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 43
- 241001465754 Metazoa Species 0.000 claims description 37
- 102000004169 proteins and genes Human genes 0.000 claims description 33
- 239000013612 plasmid Substances 0.000 claims description 30
- 230000002163 immunogen Effects 0.000 claims description 27
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 claims description 27
- 241000124008 Mammalia Species 0.000 claims description 24
- 230000005684 electric field Effects 0.000 claims description 22
- 244000052769 pathogen Species 0.000 claims description 20
- 230000001717 pathogenic effect Effects 0.000 claims description 18
- 108090000765 processed proteins & peptides Proteins 0.000 claims description 16
- 101710177291 Gag polyprotein Proteins 0.000 claims description 13
- 101710125418 Major capsid protein Proteins 0.000 claims description 13
- 241000894006 Bacteria Species 0.000 claims description 11
- 102000007079 Peptide Fragments Human genes 0.000 claims description 10
- 108010033276 Peptide Fragments Proteins 0.000 claims description 10
- 241000700605 Viruses Species 0.000 claims description 10
- 102100034353 Integrase Human genes 0.000 claims description 9
- 108010078428 env Gene Products Proteins 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 241000233866 Fungi Species 0.000 claims description 7
- 241001430294 unidentified retrovirus Species 0.000 claims description 7
- 240000004808 Saccharomyces cerevisiae Species 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000007918 intramuscular administration Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 241000222120 Candida <Saccharomycetales> Species 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000002708 enhancing effect Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 150000002632 lipids Chemical class 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 241000224489 Amoeba Species 0.000 claims description 3
- 241001480043 Arthrodermataceae Species 0.000 claims description 3
- 241000304886 Bacilli Species 0.000 claims description 3
- 241000589968 Borrelia Species 0.000 claims description 3
- 241000223203 Coccidioides Species 0.000 claims description 3
- 241001337994 Cryptococcus <scale insect> Species 0.000 claims description 3
- 241000228402 Histoplasma Species 0.000 claims description 3
- 241000589248 Legionella Species 0.000 claims description 3
- 208000007764 Legionnaires' Disease Diseases 0.000 claims description 3
- 241000186781 Listeria Species 0.000 claims description 3
- 208000016604 Lyme disease Diseases 0.000 claims description 3
- 241000186359 Mycobacterium Species 0.000 claims description 3
- 241000187654 Nocardia Species 0.000 claims description 3
- 241000709664 Picornaviridae Species 0.000 claims description 3
- 241000224016 Plasmodium Species 0.000 claims description 3
- 241000233870 Pneumocystis Species 0.000 claims description 3
- 241000125945 Protoparvovirus Species 0.000 claims description 3
- 241000242678 Schistosoma Species 0.000 claims description 3
- 241000191940 Staphylococcus Species 0.000 claims description 3
- 241000223104 Trypanosoma Species 0.000 claims description 3
- 241000607598 Vibrio Species 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000037304 dermatophytes Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 201000000317 pneumocystosis Diseases 0.000 claims description 3
- 241001529453 unidentified herpesvirus Species 0.000 claims description 3
- 241000282326 Felis catus Species 0.000 claims description 2
- 241000283984 Rodentia Species 0.000 claims description 2
- 210000004698 lymphocyte Anatomy 0.000 claims description 2
- 241000186216 Corynebacterium Species 0.000 claims 2
- 108010041986 DNA Vaccines Proteins 0.000 abstract description 38
- 229940021995 DNA vaccine Drugs 0.000 abstract description 37
- 241000699670 Mus sp. Species 0.000 abstract description 29
- 238000012384 transportation and delivery Methods 0.000 abstract description 14
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 abstract description 8
- 241000725303 Human immunodeficiency virus Species 0.000 description 32
- 210000004027 cell Anatomy 0.000 description 28
- 210000003205 muscle Anatomy 0.000 description 25
- 210000001519 tissue Anatomy 0.000 description 23
- 230000005875 antibody response Effects 0.000 description 22
- 235000018102 proteins Nutrition 0.000 description 21
- 108060001084 Luciferase Proteins 0.000 description 18
- 239000000872 buffer Substances 0.000 description 18
- 239000005089 Luciferase Substances 0.000 description 17
- 230000014509 gene expression Effects 0.000 description 13
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 12
- 238000002965 ELISA Methods 0.000 description 11
- 238000011081 inoculation Methods 0.000 description 10
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 9
- 238000010790 dilution Methods 0.000 description 9
- 239000012895 dilution Substances 0.000 description 9
- LOKCTEFSRHRXRJ-UHFFFAOYSA-I dipotassium trisodium dihydrogen phosphate hydrogen phosphate dichloride Chemical compound P(=O)(O)(O)[O-].[K+].P(=O)(O)([O-])[O-].[Na+].[Na+].[Cl-].[K+].[Cl-].[Na+] LOKCTEFSRHRXRJ-UHFFFAOYSA-I 0.000 description 9
- 239000002953 phosphate buffered saline Substances 0.000 description 9
- 230000003053 immunization Effects 0.000 description 8
- 238000002649 immunization Methods 0.000 description 8
- 210000002414 leg Anatomy 0.000 description 8
- 210000000663 muscle cell Anatomy 0.000 description 7
- 210000002966 serum Anatomy 0.000 description 7
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 7
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 7
- 238000001890 transfection Methods 0.000 description 7
- 241000283707 Capra Species 0.000 description 6
- KRKNYBCHXYNGOX-UHFFFAOYSA-N citric acid Chemical compound OC(=O)CC(O)(C(O)=O)CC(O)=O KRKNYBCHXYNGOX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 6
- 239000011534 wash buffer Substances 0.000 description 6
- 230000036436 anti-hiv Effects 0.000 description 5
- 239000000427 antigen Substances 0.000 description 5
- 108091007433 antigens Proteins 0.000 description 5
- 102000036639 antigens Human genes 0.000 description 5
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 5
- XMTQQYYKAHVGBJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 3-(3,4-DICHLOROPHENYL)-1,1-DIMETHYLUREA Chemical compound CN(C)C(=O)NC1=CC=C(Cl)C(Cl)=C1 XMTQQYYKAHVGBJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 206010028980 Neoplasm Diseases 0.000 description 4
- 229920001213 Polysorbate 20 Polymers 0.000 description 4
- FAPWRFPIFSIZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-M Sodium chloride Chemical compound [Na+].[Cl-] FAPWRFPIFSIZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 4
- 229910000266 aqualite Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 210000004962 mammalian cell Anatomy 0.000 description 4
- 239000000256 polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate Substances 0.000 description 4
- 235000010486 polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate Nutrition 0.000 description 4
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 241001131785 Escherichia coli HB101 Species 0.000 description 3
- 241000699666 Mus <mouse, genus> Species 0.000 description 3
- 102000008934 Muscle Proteins Human genes 0.000 description 3
- 108010074084 Muscle Proteins Proteins 0.000 description 3
- 108091028043 Nucleic acid sequence Proteins 0.000 description 3
- 241000288906 Primates Species 0.000 description 3
- DNIAPMSPPWPWGF-UHFFFAOYSA-N Propylene glycol Chemical compound CC(O)CO DNIAPMSPPWPWGF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 102100036352 Protein disulfide-isomerase Human genes 0.000 description 3
- 108700008625 Reporter Genes Proteins 0.000 description 3
- 229920004890 Triton X-100 Polymers 0.000 description 3
- HMNZFMSWFCAGGW-XPWSMXQVSA-N [3-[hydroxy(2-hydroxyethoxy)phosphoryl]oxy-2-[(e)-octadec-9-enoyl]oxypropyl] (e)-octadec-9-enoate Chemical compound CCCCCCCC\C=C\CCCCCCCC(=O)OCC(COP(O)(=O)OCCO)OC(=O)CCCCCCC\C=C\CCCCCCCC HMNZFMSWFCAGGW-XPWSMXQVSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 238000002835 absorbance Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000003153 chemical reaction reagent Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 3
- -1 olive oil Chemical compound 0.000 description 3
- 238000012552 review Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000006228 supernatant Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 description 3
- GEYOCULIXLDCMW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,2-phenylenediamine Chemical compound NC1=CC=CC=C1N GEYOCULIXLDCMW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 208000030507 AIDS Diseases 0.000 description 2
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 241000991587 Enterovirus C Species 0.000 description 2
- 241000588724 Escherichia coli Species 0.000 description 2
- WQZGKKKJIJFFOK-GASJEMHNSA-N Glucose Natural products OC[C@H]1OC(O)[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@@H]1O WQZGKKKJIJFFOK-GASJEMHNSA-N 0.000 description 2
- YQEZLKZALYSWHR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ketamine Chemical compound C=1C=CC=C(Cl)C=1C1(NC)CCCCC1=O YQEZLKZALYSWHR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 241000186779 Listeria monocytogenes Species 0.000 description 2
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000013504 Triton X-100 Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000037396 body weight Effects 0.000 description 2
- 201000011510 cancer Diseases 0.000 description 2
- 239000005018 casein Substances 0.000 description 2
- BECPQYXYKAMYBN-UHFFFAOYSA-N casein, tech. Chemical compound NCCCCC(C(O)=O)N=C(O)C(CC(O)=O)N=C(O)C(CCC(O)=N)N=C(O)C(CC(C)C)N=C(O)C(CCC(O)=O)N=C(O)C(CC(O)=O)N=C(O)C(CCC(O)=O)N=C(O)C(C(C)O)N=C(O)C(CCC(O)=N)N=C(O)C(CCC(O)=N)N=C(O)C(CCC(O)=N)N=C(O)C(CCC(O)=O)N=C(O)C(CCC(O)=O)N=C(O)C(COP(O)(O)=O)N=C(O)C(CCC(O)=N)N=C(O)C(N)CC1=CC=CC=C1 BECPQYXYKAMYBN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 235000021240 caseins Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 210000005056 cell body Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 239000008121 dextrose Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229940061607 dibasic sodium phosphate Drugs 0.000 description 2
- BNIILDVGGAEEIG-UHFFFAOYSA-L disodium hydrogen phosphate Chemical compound [Na+].[Na+].OP([O-])([O-])=O BNIILDVGGAEEIG-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 2
- 229940079593 drug Drugs 0.000 description 2
- 239000003814 drug Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000002474 experimental method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000013613 expression plasmid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000001476 gene delivery Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000036541 health Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000005847 immunogenicity Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000338 in vitro Methods 0.000 description 2
- 206010022000 influenza Diseases 0.000 description 2
- NOESYZHRGYRDHS-UHFFFAOYSA-N insulin Chemical compound N1C(=O)C(NC(=O)C(CCC(N)=O)NC(=O)C(CCC(O)=O)NC(=O)C(C(C)C)NC(=O)C(NC(=O)CN)C(C)CC)CSSCC(C(NC(CO)C(=O)NC(CC(C)C)C(=O)NC(CC=2C=CC(O)=CC=2)C(=O)NC(CCC(N)=O)C(=O)NC(CC(C)C)C(=O)NC(CCC(O)=O)C(=O)NC(CC(N)=O)C(=O)NC(CC=2C=CC(O)=CC=2)C(=O)NC(CSSCC(NC(=O)C(C(C)C)NC(=O)C(CC(C)C)NC(=O)C(CC=2C=CC(O)=CC=2)NC(=O)C(CC(C)C)NC(=O)C(C)NC(=O)C(CCC(O)=O)NC(=O)C(C(C)C)NC(=O)C(CC(C)C)NC(=O)C(CC=2NC=NC=2)NC(=O)C(CO)NC(=O)CNC2=O)C(=O)NCC(=O)NC(CCC(O)=O)C(=O)NC(CCCNC(N)=N)C(=O)NCC(=O)NC(CC=3C=CC=CC=3)C(=O)NC(CC=3C=CC=CC=3)C(=O)NC(CC=3C=CC(O)=CC=3)C(=O)NC(C(C)O)C(=O)N3C(CCC3)C(=O)NC(CCCCN)C(=O)NC(C)C(O)=O)C(=O)NC(CC(N)=O)C(O)=O)=O)NC(=O)C(C(C)CC)NC(=O)C(CO)NC(=O)C(C(C)O)NC(=O)C1CSSCC2NC(=O)C(CC(C)C)NC(=O)C(NC(=O)C(CCC(N)=O)NC(=O)C(CC(N)=O)NC(=O)C(NC(=O)C(N)CC=1C=CC=CC=1)C(C)C)CC1=CN=CN1 NOESYZHRGYRDHS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229940065638 intron a Drugs 0.000 description 2
- 229960003299 ketamine Drugs 0.000 description 2
- 210000003141 lower extremity Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 239000003550 marker Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 2
- MYWUZJCMWCOHBA-VIFPVBQESA-N methamphetamine Chemical compound CN[C@@H](C)CC1=CC=CC=C1 MYWUZJCMWCOHBA-VIFPVBQESA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 210000001087 myotubule Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 238000011587 new zealand white rabbit Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 230000003389 potentiating effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 210000003491 skin Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 239000011780 sodium chloride Substances 0.000 description 2
- 241000894007 species Species 0.000 description 2
- 239000011550 stock solution Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000007920 subcutaneous administration Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 description 2
- 210000000689 upper leg Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- BPICBUSOMSTKRF-UHFFFAOYSA-N xylazine Chemical compound CC1=CC=CC(C)=C1NC1=NCCCS1 BPICBUSOMSTKRF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229960001600 xylazine Drugs 0.000 description 2
- UAIUNKRWKOVEES-UHFFFAOYSA-N 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine Chemical compound CC1=C(N)C(C)=CC(C=2C=C(C)C(N)=C(C)C=2)=C1 UAIUNKRWKOVEES-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000000035 BCA protein assay Methods 0.000 description 1
- 241000193738 Bacillus anthracis Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000011748 CB6F1 mouse Methods 0.000 description 1
- 102100037904 CD9 antigen Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 101710205625 Capsid protein p24 Proteins 0.000 description 1
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241000700198 Cavia Species 0.000 description 1
- KCXVZYZYPLLWCC-UHFFFAOYSA-N EDTA Chemical compound OC(=O)CN(CC(O)=O)CCN(CC(O)=O)CC(O)=O KCXVZYZYPLLWCC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000012286 ELISA Assay Methods 0.000 description 1
- LVGKNOAMLMIIKO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Elaidinsaeure-aethylester Natural products CCCCCCCCC=CCCCCCCCC(=O)OCC LVGKNOAMLMIIKO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241000709661 Enterovirus Species 0.000 description 1
- 102000004190 Enzymes Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 108090000790 Enzymes Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 102000003951 Erythropoietin Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 108090000394 Erythropoietin Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 241000206602 Eukaryota Species 0.000 description 1
- 108090000331 Firefly luciferases Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 101000914484 Homo sapiens T-lymphocyte activation antigen CD80 Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 241000713772 Human immunodeficiency virus 1 Species 0.000 description 1
- 102000004877 Insulin Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 108090001061 Insulin Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 241000712079 Measles morbillivirus Species 0.000 description 1
- 101710086426 Myotoxin Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 101000783356 Naja sputatrix Cytotoxin Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 108091061960 Naked DNA Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 241001460678 Napo <wasp> Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000588653 Neisseria Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000588652 Neisseria gonorrhoeae Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000244206 Nematoda Species 0.000 description 1
- 102000011931 Nucleoproteins Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 108010061100 Nucleoproteins Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 108091034117 Oligonucleotide Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 101710177166 Phosphoprotein Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 239000002202 Polyethylene glycol Substances 0.000 description 1
- 102100034784 Protein TANC2 Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 241000607142 Salmonella Species 0.000 description 1
- 101710149279 Small delta antigen Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 108010090804 Streptavidin Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 102100027222 T-lymphocyte activation antigen CD80 Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 239000007983 Tris buffer Substances 0.000 description 1
- JLCPHMBAVCMARE-UHFFFAOYSA-N [3-[[3-[[3-[[3-[[3-[[3-[[3-[[3-[[3-[[3-[[3-[[5-(2-amino-6-oxo-1H-purin-9-yl)-3-[[3-[[3-[[3-[[3-[[3-[[5-(2-amino-6-oxo-1H-purin-9-yl)-3-[[5-(2-amino-6-oxo-1H-purin-9-yl)-3-hydroxyoxolan-2-yl]methoxy-hydroxyphosphoryl]oxyoxolan-2-yl]methoxy-hydroxyphosphoryl]oxy-5-(5-methyl-2,4-dioxopyrimidin-1-yl)oxolan-2-yl]methoxy-hydroxyphosphoryl]oxy-5-(6-aminopurin-9-yl)oxolan-2-yl]methoxy-hydroxyphosphoryl]oxy-5-(6-aminopurin-9-yl)oxolan-2-yl]methoxy-hydroxyphosphoryl]oxy-5-(6-aminopurin-9-yl)oxolan-2-yl]methoxy-hydroxyphosphoryl]oxy-5-(6-aminopurin-9-yl)oxolan-2-yl]methoxy-hydroxyphosphoryl]oxyoxolan-2-yl]methoxy-hydroxyphosphoryl]oxy-5-(5-methyl-2,4-dioxopyrimidin-1-yl)oxolan-2-yl]methoxy-hydroxyphosphoryl]oxy-5-(4-amino-2-oxopyrimidin-1-yl)oxolan-2-yl]methoxy-hydroxyphosphoryl]oxy-5-(5-methyl-2,4-dioxopyrimidin-1-yl)oxolan-2-yl]methoxy-hydroxyphosphoryl]oxy-5-(5-methyl-2,4-dioxopyrimidin-1-yl)oxolan-2-yl]methoxy-hydroxyphosphoryl]oxy-5-(6-aminopurin-9-yl)oxolan-2-yl]methoxy-hydroxyphosphoryl]oxy-5-(6-aminopurin-9-yl)oxolan-2-yl]methoxy-hydroxyphosphoryl]oxy-5-(4-amino-2-oxopyrimidin-1-yl)oxolan-2-yl]methoxy-hydroxyphosphoryl]oxy-5-(4-amino-2-oxopyrimidin-1-yl)oxolan-2-yl]methoxy-hydroxyphosphoryl]oxy-5-(4-amino-2-oxopyrimidin-1-yl)oxolan-2-yl]methoxy-hydroxyphosphoryl]oxy-5-(6-aminopurin-9-yl)oxolan-2-yl]methoxy-hydroxyphosphoryl]oxy-5-(4-amino-2-oxopyrimidin-1-yl)oxolan-2-yl]methyl [5-(6-aminopurin-9-yl)-2-(hydroxymethyl)oxolan-3-yl] hydrogen phosphate Polymers Cc1cn(C2CC(OP(O)(=O)OCC3OC(CC3OP(O)(=O)OCC3OC(CC3O)n3cnc4c3nc(N)[nH]c4=O)n3cnc4c3nc(N)[nH]c4=O)C(COP(O)(=O)OC3CC(OC3COP(O)(=O)OC3CC(OC3COP(O)(=O)OC3CC(OC3COP(O)(=O)OC3CC(OC3COP(O)(=O)OC3CC(OC3COP(O)(=O)OC3CC(OC3COP(O)(=O)OC3CC(OC3COP(O)(=O)OC3CC(OC3COP(O)(=O)OC3CC(OC3COP(O)(=O)OC3CC(OC3COP(O)(=O)OC3CC(OC3COP(O)(=O)OC3CC(OC3COP(O)(=O)OC3CC(OC3COP(O)(=O)OC3CC(OC3COP(O)(=O)OC3CC(OC3COP(O)(=O)OC3CC(OC3COP(O)(=O)OC3CC(OC3CO)n3cnc4c(N)ncnc34)n3ccc(N)nc3=O)n3cnc4c(N)ncnc34)n3ccc(N)nc3=O)n3ccc(N)nc3=O)n3ccc(N)nc3=O)n3cnc4c(N)ncnc34)n3cnc4c(N)ncnc34)n3cc(C)c(=O)[nH]c3=O)n3cc(C)c(=O)[nH]c3=O)n3ccc(N)nc3=O)n3cc(C)c(=O)[nH]c3=O)n3cnc4c3nc(N)[nH]c4=O)n3cnc4c(N)ncnc34)n3cnc4c(N)ncnc34)n3cnc4c(N)ncnc34)n3cnc4c(N)ncnc34)O2)c(=O)[nH]c1=O JLCPHMBAVCMARE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000001594 aberrant effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006978 adaptation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002671 adjuvant Substances 0.000 description 1
- AVKUERGKIZMTKX-NJBDSQKTSA-N ampicillin Chemical compound C1([C@@H](N)C(=O)N[C@H]2[C@H]3SC([C@@H](N3C2=O)C(O)=O)(C)C)=CC=CC=C1 AVKUERGKIZMTKX-NJBDSQKTSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229960000723 ampicillin Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 230000030741 antigen processing and presentation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002246 antineoplastic agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229940041181 antineoplastic drug Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 239000007864 aqueous solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003125 aqueous solvent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012131 assay buffer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002238 attenuated effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001580 bacterial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000000270 basal cell Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000003115 biocidal effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004071 biological effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229960002685 biotin Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 239000011616 biotin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000011089 carbon dioxide Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000002340 cardiotoxin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 231100000677 cardiotoxin Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 239000013592 cell lysate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000000170 cell membrane Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000033077 cellular process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229940028617 conventional vaccine Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 210000000805 cytoplasm Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 210000001151 cytotoxic T lymphocyte Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000004207 dermis Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000013024 dilution buffer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003937 drug carrier Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001962 electrophoresis Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000839 emulsion Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000012202 endocytosis Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002702 enteric coating Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000001339 epidermal cell Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 210000002615 epidermis Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 229940105423 erythropoietin Drugs 0.000 description 1
- LVGKNOAMLMIIKO-QXMHVHEDSA-N ethyl oleate Chemical compound CCCCCCCC\C=C/CCCCCCCC(=O)OCC LVGKNOAMLMIIKO-QXMHVHEDSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229940093471 ethyl oleate Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 239000013604 expression vector Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012634 fragment Substances 0.000 description 1
- 108020001507 fusion proteins Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 102000037865 fusion proteins Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 244000000013 helminth Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000005534 hematocrit Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003018 immunoassay Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011065 in-situ storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011534 incubation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006698 induction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 208000015181 infectious disease Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000008595 infiltration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001764 infiltration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000004969 inflammatory cell Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 229940125396 insulin Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 230000010354 integration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010255 intramuscular injection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000004185 liver Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000003589 local anesthetic agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003670 luciferase enzyme activity assay Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003468 luciferase reporter gene assay Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002934 lysing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012139 lysis buffer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 201000004792 malaria Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000386 microscopy Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000003470 mitochondria Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000004570 mortar (masonry) Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229940022007 naked DNA vaccine Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000012457 nonaqueous media Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000008390 olive oil Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000004006 olive oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000002895 organic esters Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 210000003101 oviduct Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000007911 parenteral administration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000013492 plasmid preparation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920001223 polyethylene glycol Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000136 polysorbate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- OXCMYAYHXIHQOA-UHFFFAOYSA-N potassium;[2-butyl-5-chloro-3-[[4-[2-(1,2,4-triaza-3-azanidacyclopenta-1,4-dien-5-yl)phenyl]phenyl]methyl]imidazol-4-yl]methanol Chemical compound [K+].CCCCC1=NC(Cl)=C(CO)N1CC1=CC=C(C=2C(=CC=CC=2)C2=N[N-]N=N2)C=C1 OXCMYAYHXIHQOA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 102000004196 processed proteins & peptides Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 230000009257 reactivity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003259 recombinant expression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005215 recombination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006798 recombination Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010186 staining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 description 1
- RTKIYNMVFMVABJ-UHFFFAOYSA-L thimerosal Chemical compound [Na+].CC[Hg]SC1=CC=CC=C1C([O-])=O RTKIYNMVFMVABJ-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 229940033663 thimerosal Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 230000037317 transdermal delivery Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009466 transformation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001052 transient effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000010474 transient expression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000014621 translational initiation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 201000008827 tuberculosis Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000007306 turnover Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002255 vaccination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000015112 vegetable and seed oil Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000008158 vegetable oil Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
- A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
- A61N1/18—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes
- A61N1/32—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents
- A61N1/325—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes alternating or intermittent currents for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
- A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
- A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
- A61K39/12—Viral antigens
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
- A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
- A61K39/12—Viral antigens
- A61K39/21—Retroviridae, e.g. equine infectious anemia virus
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
- A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
- A61K39/39—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies characterised by the immunostimulating additives, e.g. chemical adjuvants
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
- A61K41/00—Medicinal preparations obtained by treating materials with wave energy or particle radiation ; Therapies using these preparations
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
- A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
- A61N1/18—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes
- A61N1/20—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes continuous direct currents
- A61N1/30—Apparatus for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body, or cataphoresis
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
- A61P31/00—Antiinfectives, i.e. antibiotics, antiseptics, chemotherapeutics
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
- A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
- A61K2039/51—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies comprising whole cells, viruses or DNA/RNA
- A61K2039/53—DNA (RNA) vaccination
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
- A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
- A61K2039/57—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies characterised by the type of response, e.g. Th1, Th2
- A61K2039/575—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies characterised by the type of response, e.g. Th1, Th2 humoral response
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
- A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
- A61N1/02—Details
- A61N1/04—Electrodes
- A61N1/0404—Electrodes for external use
- A61N1/0408—Use-related aspects
- A61N1/0412—Specially adapted for transcutaneous electroporation, e.g. including drug reservoirs
- A61N1/0416—Anode and cathode
- A61N1/0424—Shape of the electrode
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
- A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
- A61N1/02—Details
- A61N1/04—Electrodes
- A61N1/0404—Electrodes for external use
- A61N1/0408—Use-related aspects
- A61N1/0428—Specially adapted for iontophoresis, e.g. AC, DC or including drug reservoirs
- A61N1/0432—Anode and cathode
- A61N1/044—Shape of the electrode
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
- A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
- A61N1/18—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes
- A61N1/20—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes continuous direct currents
- A61N1/30—Apparatus for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body, or cataphoresis
- A61N1/303—Constructional details
- A61N1/306—Arrangements where at least part of the apparatus is introduced into the body
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
- C12N2740/00—Reverse transcribing RNA viruses
- C12N2740/00011—Details
- C12N2740/10011—Retroviridae
- C12N2740/16011—Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV
- C12N2740/16111—Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV concerning HIV env
- C12N2740/16134—Use of virus or viral component as vaccine, e.g. live-attenuated or inactivated virus, VLP, viral protein
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
- C12N2740/00—Reverse transcribing RNA viruses
- C12N2740/00011—Details
- C12N2740/10011—Retroviridae
- C12N2740/16011—Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV
- C12N2740/16211—Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV concerning HIV gagpol
- C12N2740/16234—Use of virus or viral component as vaccine, e.g. live-attenuated or inactivated virus, VLP, viral protein
Abstract
Electrically-mediated delivery technology has been applied to DNA vaccines and substantially higher immune responses have been achieved. In mice and rabbits vaccinated with DNA encoding HIV genes, when administered with constant electric current or constant electric voltage, up to twenty-fold higher immune responses were achieved compared with application of DNA vaccines alone. The increase was achieved under conditions of both constant current (iontophoresis) and constant voltage (electroporation).
Description
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
ELECTRICALLY-MEDIATED ENHANCEMENT
OF DNA VACCINE
IMMUNITY AND EFFICACY IN VIVO
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Provisional Patent Applications Serial Numbers 60/118996 (filed February 7, 1999) and 60/129189 (filed April 14, 1999), both of which applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the use of electrical pulses to enhance DNA vaccine efficacy in vivo. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of electrical pulses to enhance HIV DNA vaccine efficacy in vivo and even more particularly to the use of electrical pulses to enhance HIV gag DNA
vaccine efficacy in vivo.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Vaccines composed of live, attenuated pathogens have long been used to provide and/or enhance immunity. Recently, however, the ability to introduce DNA into cells and tissues has led to the proposal that DNA vaccines could be used in lieu of pathogens to provide immunity (for review, see Donnelly et al.
( 1997) Ann. Rev. Immunol. 15:617-648).
Although DNA vaccines offer the potential for greater safety, efficacy and protection than that provided by conventional vaccines, the delivery of such DNA
to cells has presented several problems (Lai and Bennett ( 1998) Crit. Rev.
Immunol. 18:449-484). DNA vaccines given orally have been reported to be incapable of eliciting an immune response (see Manikan et al. ( 1997) Crit.
Rev.
Immunol. 17:139-154). Likewise, introduction of DNA into the dermis has been found to be complicated both by the susceptibility of the basal cells of the epidermis to transformation, and by rapid turnover of epidermal cells that leads to the expulsion of much of the administered DNA (Lai and Bennett ( 1998) Crit.
Rev.
Immunol. 18:449-484). Introduction of DNA into muscle cells has been effective to confer immunity in some cases, however, it has been reported that muscle cells do not seem capable of expressing molecules required for efficient antigen presentation (Goebels et al. (1992) J. Immunol. 149:661-667; Hohfield and Engel ( 1994) Immunol. Today 15:269-274; Michaelis et al. ( 1993) Amer. J. Pathol.
143:1142-1149). Accordingly, a need exists to enhance DNA vaccine efficacy.
The use of electric current has facilitated gene delivery in vitro and in vivo.
Transient discontinuities in the plasma membranes of cells can be induced by short pulses of high-voltage electric current. These discontinuities allow substances, such as DNA to passively enter cells directly into the cytoplasm, thereby avoiding the indirect and inefficient route of endocytosis. As a consequence, more DNA
is delivered inside cells and a greater degree of transfection occurs. This process, termed electroporation is widely used for facilitation of transfection of cells in vitro.
Recently, the use of electric current to mediate transfer of genes in vivo has been reported. Successful transfer of genes has been accomplished for cells of the skin (Titomirov et al. (1991) Biochirn. Biophys. Acta 1088: 131-134; Nomura et al.
( 1996) J. Immunol. Meth. 193: 41-49), liver (Heller et al. ( 1996) FEBS Lett.
389:225-228; Suzuki et al. ( 1998) FEBS Lett. 425: 436-440), tumors (Nishi et al.
( 1996) Cancer Res. 56: 1050-1055; Nishi et al. (1997) Hum. Cell 10: 81-86;
Rols et al. ( 1998) Nature Biotechnol. 16: 168-171 ), oviduct (Ochiai et al. ( 1998) Poult Sci. 77:299-302), and muscle (Aihara and Miyazaki ( 1998) Nature Biotechnol:
16:
867-870). In most cases, protein expression was demonstrated, and in some cases biological effects were noted, such as regression of tumors or increased hematocrit after inoculation of erythropoietin DNA (Rizutto et al. ( 1999) Proc. Natl.
Acad.
ELECTRICALLY-MEDIATED ENHANCEMENT
OF DNA VACCINE
IMMUNITY AND EFFICACY IN VIVO
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Provisional Patent Applications Serial Numbers 60/118996 (filed February 7, 1999) and 60/129189 (filed April 14, 1999), both of which applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the use of electrical pulses to enhance DNA vaccine efficacy in vivo. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of electrical pulses to enhance HIV DNA vaccine efficacy in vivo and even more particularly to the use of electrical pulses to enhance HIV gag DNA
vaccine efficacy in vivo.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Vaccines composed of live, attenuated pathogens have long been used to provide and/or enhance immunity. Recently, however, the ability to introduce DNA into cells and tissues has led to the proposal that DNA vaccines could be used in lieu of pathogens to provide immunity (for review, see Donnelly et al.
( 1997) Ann. Rev. Immunol. 15:617-648).
Although DNA vaccines offer the potential for greater safety, efficacy and protection than that provided by conventional vaccines, the delivery of such DNA
to cells has presented several problems (Lai and Bennett ( 1998) Crit. Rev.
Immunol. 18:449-484). DNA vaccines given orally have been reported to be incapable of eliciting an immune response (see Manikan et al. ( 1997) Crit.
Rev.
Immunol. 17:139-154). Likewise, introduction of DNA into the dermis has been found to be complicated both by the susceptibility of the basal cells of the epidermis to transformation, and by rapid turnover of epidermal cells that leads to the expulsion of much of the administered DNA (Lai and Bennett ( 1998) Crit.
Rev.
Immunol. 18:449-484). Introduction of DNA into muscle cells has been effective to confer immunity in some cases, however, it has been reported that muscle cells do not seem capable of expressing molecules required for efficient antigen presentation (Goebels et al. (1992) J. Immunol. 149:661-667; Hohfield and Engel ( 1994) Immunol. Today 15:269-274; Michaelis et al. ( 1993) Amer. J. Pathol.
143:1142-1149). Accordingly, a need exists to enhance DNA vaccine efficacy.
The use of electric current has facilitated gene delivery in vitro and in vivo.
Transient discontinuities in the plasma membranes of cells can be induced by short pulses of high-voltage electric current. These discontinuities allow substances, such as DNA to passively enter cells directly into the cytoplasm, thereby avoiding the indirect and inefficient route of endocytosis. As a consequence, more DNA
is delivered inside cells and a greater degree of transfection occurs. This process, termed electroporation is widely used for facilitation of transfection of cells in vitro.
Recently, the use of electric current to mediate transfer of genes in vivo has been reported. Successful transfer of genes has been accomplished for cells of the skin (Titomirov et al. (1991) Biochirn. Biophys. Acta 1088: 131-134; Nomura et al.
( 1996) J. Immunol. Meth. 193: 41-49), liver (Heller et al. ( 1996) FEBS Lett.
389:225-228; Suzuki et al. ( 1998) FEBS Lett. 425: 436-440), tumors (Nishi et al.
( 1996) Cancer Res. 56: 1050-1055; Nishi et al. (1997) Hum. Cell 10: 81-86;
Rols et al. ( 1998) Nature Biotechnol. 16: 168-171 ), oviduct (Ochiai et al. ( 1998) Poult Sci. 77:299-302), and muscle (Aihara and Miyazaki ( 1998) Nature Biotechnol:
16:
867-870). In most cases, protein expression was demonstrated, and in some cases biological effects were noted, such as regression of tumors or increased hematocrit after inoculation of erythropoietin DNA (Rizutto et al. ( 1999) Proc. Natl.
Acad.
Sci. (USA) 96:6417-6422). In one case, induction of an immune response was detected in mice after electroporation in vivo with DNA encoding a fusion protein containing a CTL epitope from influenza nucleoprotein (Nomura et al. ( 1996) J.
Immunol. Meth. 193: 41-49).
A technology related to electroporation, termed iontophoresis, involves the application of an electric field to facilitate movement of charged molecules, such as "naked DNA," in tissue and across biological membranes. Iontophoresis, which involves lower electric current than what is required for electroporation, has been widely used for transdermal delivery of drugs and oligonucleotides.
The efficacy of DNA vaccines in preclinical models has been well documented (for review see Donnelly et al. ( 1997) Ann. Rev. Immunol. 15:617-648). The magnitude of immune responses, however, induced in primates is generally lower than that in small animals, and the amount of DNA required for effective immunization of primates is much higher (mg versus pg) (for example, see Kent et al. ( 1998) J. Virol. 72:10180-10188; Gramzinski et al. ( 1998) Molec.
Med. 4:109:118; Richmond et al. ( 1998) J. Virol. 72: 9092-9100). In addition, several phase I human clinical studies have been conducted with little or no immune responses reported (Calarota et al. (1998) Lancet 351: 1320-1325;
MacGregor et al. (1998) J. Infect. Dis. 178:92-100; McClements-Mann et al.
(1997) Amer. Soc. Virol. Ann. Meet. Abstr. (Vancouver, Canada), p. 115). ). In one case, however, cytotoxic T lymphocytes were induced in human volunteers by a malaria DNA vaccine, but no antibodies were detected (Wang et al. ( 1998) Science 282:476-480. Therefore, the potency of DNA vaccines must be increased to enable this technology for successful human application. The present invention demonstrates the enhancement of DNA vaccine potency in animals using electrically-mediated delivery of DNA.
Immunol. Meth. 193: 41-49).
A technology related to electroporation, termed iontophoresis, involves the application of an electric field to facilitate movement of charged molecules, such as "naked DNA," in tissue and across biological membranes. Iontophoresis, which involves lower electric current than what is required for electroporation, has been widely used for transdermal delivery of drugs and oligonucleotides.
The efficacy of DNA vaccines in preclinical models has been well documented (for review see Donnelly et al. ( 1997) Ann. Rev. Immunol. 15:617-648). The magnitude of immune responses, however, induced in primates is generally lower than that in small animals, and the amount of DNA required for effective immunization of primates is much higher (mg versus pg) (for example, see Kent et al. ( 1998) J. Virol. 72:10180-10188; Gramzinski et al. ( 1998) Molec.
Med. 4:109:118; Richmond et al. ( 1998) J. Virol. 72: 9092-9100). In addition, several phase I human clinical studies have been conducted with little or no immune responses reported (Calarota et al. (1998) Lancet 351: 1320-1325;
MacGregor et al. (1998) J. Infect. Dis. 178:92-100; McClements-Mann et al.
(1997) Amer. Soc. Virol. Ann. Meet. Abstr. (Vancouver, Canada), p. 115). ). In one case, however, cytotoxic T lymphocytes were induced in human volunteers by a malaria DNA vaccine, but no antibodies were detected (Wang et al. ( 1998) Science 282:476-480. Therefore, the potency of DNA vaccines must be increased to enable this technology for successful human application. The present invention demonstrates the enhancement of DNA vaccine potency in animals using electrically-mediated delivery of DNA.
SUMMARY OF THE I1V'VENTION
It is a primary object of the invention to provide electrically-mediated enhancement of DNA vaccine efficacy in vivo. This object is achieved through the use of electrical current to facilitate gene delivery to cells and tissue. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, DNA encoding the immunogen of interest is administered parenterally followed by the application of electrical current in either the iontophoresis or electroporation range.
It is a further object of the invention to provide electrically-mediated enhancement of HIV DNA vaccine efficacy in vivo. Preferably, the HIV DNA is HIV gag DNA. In embodiments of the invention, such DNA is incorporated into a plasmid and is injected either via an intramuscular (i.m.) or intradermal (i.d.) route.
In detail, the invention provides, a method of enhancing an immune response generated in an animal comprising the steps of:
(A) administering to the animal DNA encoding one or more immunogen of interest; and (B) applying an electric field to at least the site of such DNA
administration.
The invention particularly concerns the embodiment of the above method in which the immunogen is a protein or peptide of a pathogen (especially a bacterium, a fungus, a yeast, a protozoan, or a virus). The invention is particularly concerned with the embodiment of the above method wherein the pathogen is the retrovirus HIV, and wherein the DNA administered in step (A) encodes one or more HIV
protein or peptide (especially the HIV gag and/or env proteins or a peptide fragment of either, and most preferably codon-optimized DNA molecules encoding these immunogens).
The invention particularly concerns the embodiment of the above method in which the electrical field is applied under electroporation conditions or under iontophoresis conditions.
It is a primary object of the invention to provide electrically-mediated enhancement of DNA vaccine efficacy in vivo. This object is achieved through the use of electrical current to facilitate gene delivery to cells and tissue. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, DNA encoding the immunogen of interest is administered parenterally followed by the application of electrical current in either the iontophoresis or electroporation range.
It is a further object of the invention to provide electrically-mediated enhancement of HIV DNA vaccine efficacy in vivo. Preferably, the HIV DNA is HIV gag DNA. In embodiments of the invention, such DNA is incorporated into a plasmid and is injected either via an intramuscular (i.m.) or intradermal (i.d.) route.
In detail, the invention provides, a method of enhancing an immune response generated in an animal comprising the steps of:
(A) administering to the animal DNA encoding one or more immunogen of interest; and (B) applying an electric field to at least the site of such DNA
administration.
The invention particularly concerns the embodiment of the above method in which the immunogen is a protein or peptide of a pathogen (especially a bacterium, a fungus, a yeast, a protozoan, or a virus). The invention is particularly concerned with the embodiment of the above method wherein the pathogen is the retrovirus HIV, and wherein the DNA administered in step (A) encodes one or more HIV
protein or peptide (especially the HIV gag and/or env proteins or a peptide fragment of either, and most preferably codon-optimized DNA molecules encoding these immunogens).
The invention particularly concerns the embodiment of the above method in which the electrical field is applied under electroporation conditions or under iontophoresis conditions.
The invention additionally provides an apparatus for enhancing an immune response in an animal comprising:
(A) DNA encoding one or more immunogen of interest;
(B) means for administering the DNA to the animal; and (C) means for applying an electric field to at least the site of such DNA
administration.
The invention particularly concerns the embodiment of the above apparatus in which the immunogen is a protein or peptide of a pathogen (especially a bacterium, a fungus, a yeast, a protozoan, or a virus). The invention is particularly concerned with the embodiment of the above apparatus wherein the pathogen is the retrovirus HIV, and wherein the administered DNA encodes one or more HIV
protein or peptide (especially the HIV gag and/or env proteins or a peptide fragment of either and most preferably codon-optimized DNA molecules encoding these immunogens).
The invention additionally concerns the embodiment of the above apparatus in which the means for administering the DNA to the animal accomplishes the intramuscular or intradermal administration of the DNA.
The invention additionally concerns the embodiment of the above apparatus in which the electrical field is produced under electroporation or iontophoresis conditions.
The invention additionally concerns the embodiment of the above apparatus in which the means for administering the DNA is a device selected from the group consisting of a single needle probe, a bipolar probe and a combination needle and plate probe.
(A) DNA encoding one or more immunogen of interest;
(B) means for administering the DNA to the animal; and (C) means for applying an electric field to at least the site of such DNA
administration.
The invention particularly concerns the embodiment of the above apparatus in which the immunogen is a protein or peptide of a pathogen (especially a bacterium, a fungus, a yeast, a protozoan, or a virus). The invention is particularly concerned with the embodiment of the above apparatus wherein the pathogen is the retrovirus HIV, and wherein the administered DNA encodes one or more HIV
protein or peptide (especially the HIV gag and/or env proteins or a peptide fragment of either and most preferably codon-optimized DNA molecules encoding these immunogens).
The invention additionally concerns the embodiment of the above apparatus in which the means for administering the DNA to the animal accomplishes the intramuscular or intradermal administration of the DNA.
The invention additionally concerns the embodiment of the above apparatus in which the electrical field is produced under electroporation or iontophoresis conditions.
The invention additionally concerns the embodiment of the above apparatus in which the means for administering the DNA is a device selected from the group consisting of a single needle probe, a bipolar probe and a combination needle and plate probe.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure lA and Figure 1B show the expression of (3-galactosidase in mouse muscles that had received (3-galactosidase-encoding DNA either without additional treatment (Figure lA) or after electroporation (Figure 1B).
Figure 2 shows the ability of electroporation and iontophoresis to enhance the antibody responses of mammals after a single inoculation with DNA encoding the HIV gag protein.
Figure 3 shows the effect of vaccine boosting on antibody responses in mammals inoculated with DNA encoding the HIV gag protein. Note the enhanced immune responses induced by electroporation and iontophoresis even after the booster immunization.
Figure 4 shows the efficacy of electroporation on the anti-HIV gag antibody response of mammals inoculated with a DNA vaccine encoding HIV gag, followed by immunization with recombinant gag protein. Note the enhanced levels of booster response in rabbits that had been primed with DNA and electroporation compared to animals primed with DNA alone.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method for the enhancement of DNA
vaccine efficacy by electrically-mediated administration of the DNA in vivo.
The recipient of the DNA vaccine may be any mammal (especially a cat, a dog, a horse, a human, a rabbit or a rodent). The invention particularly contemplates that the recipient of the DNA vaccine may be a human.
The DNA vaccine that is administered in accordance with the present invention encodes one or more immunogens. As used herein, an immunogen is a protein or a peptide (i.e., a fragment of a protein) that contains at least one epitope such that the immunogen induces an enhanced immune response in a recipient mammal. As used herein, a treatment or procedure is said to enhance an immune _7-response if the treatment or procedure increases the extent, duration or degree of the response beyond that observed in the absence of such treatment or procedure.
The enhanced immune responses of the present invention include the enhanced production of antibody that is specifically reactive with the immunogen, and the enhanced production of lymphocytes that produce such antibody. An antibody is said to be specifically reactive with an immunogen if it binds to the immunogen in an immunologically relevant manner.
Any of a variety of DNA vaccines may be used in accordance with the present invention include those (for review, see Donnelly et al. ( 1997) Ann.
Rev.
Immunol. 15:617-648; Manikan et al. (1997) Crit. Rev. Immunol. 17:139-154;
Alarcon et al. ( 1999) Adv. Parasitol. 42: 343-410; Lai and Bennett ( 1998) Crit.
Rev. Immunol. 18:449-484; Tuteja (1999) Crit. Rev. Biochem. Molec. Biol. 34:1-24). In a preferred embodiment, the DNA vaccine of the present invention will encode more than one epitope. Thus, for example, the administered DNA may encode all of the epitopes of a protein associated with HIV (such as the gag or env protein). Alternatively, the administered DNA may encode only a peptide of such protein that contains one (or fewer than all) of the protein's epitopes.
The present invention contemplates that the immunogens encoded by the DNA vaccine of the present invention may comprise a protein or peptide of a pathogen. Such pathogen may be any of a wide group of bacteria (e.g., E. coli strains and strains of other enterics (e.g., Salmonella), Clostridria, Vibrio, Corynebacteria, Listeria, Nocardia, Legionella, Bacilli (especially B.
anthracis), Staphylococcus, Streptococci (especially beta-hemolytic Streptococci and S.
pneumoniae), Borrelia, Mycobacterium (especially M. tuberculosi), Neisseria (especially N. gonorrhoeae), Trepanoma, etc.), viruses (e.g., parvoviruses, orthomyxoviruses (especially those causing influenza), paramyxoviruses, picornaviruses (especially rhinoviruses or polioviruses), papoviruses, herpesviruses, togaviruses, retroviruses (especially HIV), rhabdoviruses, etc.), and lower eukaryotes (e.g., fungi, protozoa, yeast, helminths, nematodes, etc.
(especially Dermatophytes, Pneumocystis, Trypanosoma, Plasmodium, Candida, _g_ Cryptococcus, Histoplasma, Coccidioides, amoeba, schistosomes, etc.).
Alternatively, the immunogens of the present invention may encode antigens that are produced by aberrant or diseased cells of the recipient (e.g., cancer cells, etc.), such that the recipient animal will form antibodies that will attack such cells.
The immunogens encoded by the DNA vaccine of the present invention may be related to one another, may be clinically related, or may be unrelated to one another. As used herein, immunogens are related to one another if the immune responses that they induce elicit antibodies that bind to the same cell, microbe, virus, etc. For example, DNA that encodes epitopes of the gag or env protein would encode related immunogens. Immunogens are said to be clinically related to one another if the immune responses that they induce elicit antibodies that bind to different cells, microbes, viruses, etc. that are associated with the same clinical condition. For example, individuals suffering from Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) may develop infections caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, and by the yeast Candida. DNA that encodes epitopes of a Listeria monocytogenes protein and a Candida protein would encode clinically related immunogens. Alternatively, the DNA vaccine of the present invention may encode an epitope of a poliovirus and an epitope of a measles virus, and thus provide unrelated immunogens.
Most preferably, the DNA of the DNA vaccine of the present invention will contain regulatory elements (promoters, translation initiation sites, etc.) operably linked to the immunogen-encoding sequences and sufficient to permit the protein expression of the immunogen. Alternatively, the administered DNA will not contain such regulatory elements, and will require cellular processes (such as recombination or integration into nuclear or mitochondria) DNA, etc.) in order to produce the encoded immunogen.
The DNA vaccine of the present invention may comprise more than one molecular species of DNA. Such multiples species may contain the same DNA
sequence (e.g., a mixture of circular and linearized plasmids), or may contain _9_ different DNA sequences encoding the same immunogen (e.g., a mixture of DNA
molecules of different length all of which contain a particular immunogen-encoding sequence), or may contain DNA sequences encoding different immunogens. The administered DNA can be either "naked" DNA (i.e., free of associated protein or lipids), or may be complexed with protein or lipids or other molecules. For example, the DNA can be administered with a local anesthetic such as bupivicaine or a myotoxin such as cardiotoxin, or with proteins that assist in the efficient presentation of antigen (e.g., CD80, CD86, etc.) (Tuteja (1999) Crit. Rev.
Biochem. Molec. Biol. 34:1-24). The DNA may encode only the desired immunogen or immunogens, or may encode other additional proteins or peptides that may be linked or unlinked to the immunogen and that enhance immunogen stability or immunogenicity. The DNA may also encode protein extraneous to the immunogenicity of the immunogen that is encoded by the DNA; such extraneous protein may likewise be linked or unlinked to the immunogen. The DNA of the DNA vaccine of the present invention may contain untranslated or untranscribed DNA.
The DNA can be incorporated into a recombinant expression vector such as a chimeric virus, a plasmid DNA, etc. The DNA is preferably dissolved or suspended in a buffer or other solution (e.g., 5% dextrose).
In a particularly preferred embodiment, DNA, preferably in the form of plasmid DNA, is administered (especially by injection) into tissue and voltage pulses are applied between electrodes disposed in the tissue, thus applying electric fields to cells of the tissue. The electrically-mediated enhancement covers administration using either iontophoresis or electroporation in vivo. Suitable techniques of electroporation and iontophoresis are provided by Singh et al.
(1989) Drug Des. Deliv. 4:1-12; Theiss U et al. (1991) Methods Find. Exp. Clin.
Pharrnacol. 13:353-359; Singh and Maibach ( 1993) Derrnatology. 187:235-238;
Singh and Maibach ( 1994) Crit. Rev. Ther. Drug Carrier Syst. 11:161-213; Su et al. ( 1994) J. Pharm. Sci. 83:12-17; Costello et al. ( 1995) Phys. Ther.
75:554-563;
Howard et al. ( 1995) Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 76:463-466; Kassan et al. ( 1996) J. Amer. Acad. Dermatol. 34:657-666; Riviere et al. (1997) Pharm. Res. 14:687-697; Zempsky et al. ( 1998) Amer. J. Anesthesiol. 25:158-162; Muramatsu et al.
( 1998) Int. J. Mol. Med. 1:55-62; Garrison J. ( 1998) Med. Device Technol.
9:32-36;
Banga et al. ( 1998) Trends Biotechnol. 16:408-412; Banga et al. ( 1999) Int.
J.
Pharm. 179:1-19; Singh et al. ( 1999) Anticancer Drugs. 10:139-146; Neumann et al. (1999) Bioelectrochem. Bioenerg. 48:3-16; and Heiser (2000) Methods Mol.
Biol. 130:117-134. Whereas any suitable route of inoculation may be employed, of intra-muscular (i.m.), intra-dermal (i.d.), or sub-cutaneous (s.c.), i.m.
injection is the most efficacious. Enhanced immune responses are, however, also seen after i.d. injections.
The nature of the electric field generated in accordance with the present invention is determined by the nature of the tissue, the size of the selected tissue and its location. It is desirable that the field be as homogeneous as possible and of the correct amplitude. The use of insufficient or excessive field strength is to be avoided. As used herein, a field strength is excessive if it results in the lysing of cells. A field strength is insufficient if it results in a reduction of efficacy of 90%
relative to the maximum efficacy obtainable. The electrodes may be mounted and manipulated in many ways known in the art.
The waveform of the electrical signal provided by the pulse generator can be an exponentially decaying pulse, a square pulse, a unipolar oscillating pulse train or a bipolar oscillating pulse train. The waveform, electric field strength and pulse duration are dependent upon the type of cells and the DNA that are to enter the cells via electrical-mediated delivery and thus are determined by those skilled in the art in consideration of these criteria.
Any number of known devices may be used for delivering the DNA vaccine and generating the desired electric field. Examples of suitable devices include, but are not limited to, a single needle probe, a bipolar probe and a combination needle and plate probe. The single needle probe exemplified herein is a single stainless steel needle, with an insulation stop that provides preferably about 3mm of active zone. The single needle serves as the negative electrode and the plasmid delivery device. The positive electrode is a hypodermic needle located in the opposite leg or arm of the recipient patient or test animal. The bipolar probe exemplified herein contains two stainless steel needles preferably about 3mm in length and separated by a distance of preferably about 0.4cm. One needle carries a positive charge and one needle carries a negative charge. The combination needle and plate probe exemplified herein contains two stainless steel needles preferably about 3 mm in length and separated by a distance of preferably about 0.4cm. The needles are insulated except for the distal lmm. Both needles serve as the negative electrodes.
The needles protrude from a stainless steel block. The block sits on the surface of the skin and serves as the positive electrode. The separation distance between the nearest active area on the block to the nearest active area on the needles is preferably about 2.Smm. The needles are insulated from direct contact with the stainless steel block.
Preferred electrical field conditions for i.m. administration are as follows:
SOmA for lOmsec for 5 pulses then rotated 90° (i.e., orthogonally) for 5 additional pulses; 120V for 10 msec for 5 pulses then rotate orthogonally for 5 additional pulses when using the bipolar probe; and 80V for lOmsec for 5 pulsed then rotate orthogonally for 5 additional pulses when using the combination plate and needle probe. Preferred electrical field conditions for i.d. administration are as follows:
SOmA for SOmsec for 5 pulses then rotate orthogonally for 5 additional pulses;
and 120 V for 50 msec for 5 pulses then rotate orthogonally for 5 additional pulses when using the bipolar probe.
Preparations of DNA for parenteral administration include but are not limited to sterile or aqueous or non-aqueous solutions, suspensions, and emulsions.
Examples of non-aqueous solvents are propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, vegetable oils such as olive oil, and injectable organic esters such as ethyl oleate.
The increased DNA vaccine potency observed after iontophoresis or electroporation may reflect a facilitation, by the electric current, of the distribution of DNA within the injected tissue and/or uptake of DNA by cells, leading to increased transfection. The ensuing increase in the amount of antigen expressed by cells is likely to have played a role in the elevated immune responses.
Alternatively, or in addition, infiltration of inflammatory cells (in response to the electric current) could have an "adjuvant" effect on the produced antigen. The present invention demonstrates that DNA vaccine potency can be increased by application of electric current. The results indicate that a significant limitation to efficient transfection of cells in vivo by naked DNA vaccines in the past (possibly accounting for the lack of efficacy of DNA vaccines in larger animals, such as primates, in the past) has been the distribution of the introduced DNA within tissue and/or uptake of DNA by cells. Iontophoresis and electroporation (as well as equivalent means for facilitating the delivery of DNA into cells and tissue can be used to surmount this problem and enable the development of DNA vaccines.
Having now fully described the invention, the same will be further illustrated by way of the following examples, which are meant solely to illustrate the invention and are not to be construed to limit the invention in any way.
Those skilled in the art will recognize modifications that are within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Example 1 Materials And Methods For In Vivo Electrical-Enhanced Delivery Of DNA.
Bacterial Strain and plasmid preparation The bacteria Escherichia coli strain HB 101 were transformed with the plasmids pCMV HIV gag prepared as described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/114495, filed 31 December 1998, or pCMV KM LUC encoding firefly luciferase reporter gene (LUC). In brief, a luciferase expression plasmid was obtained from Promega Corporation (Madison, WI). E. coli strain XL-1 Blue (Stratagene, La Jolla), carrying the expression plasmid, was grown in LB;
antibiotic selection employed 50 ~g/ml of ampicillin. Plasmids were purified using Qiagen Endo Free Plasmid Maxi Kits (Qiagen, Inc., Chatsworth, CA) according to the manufacturer instructions and resuspended in 0.9% sodium chloride (Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, 1L).
The plasmid pCMV HIV gag was used as a source of gag-encoding DNA.
The plasmid expresses high levels of HIV-1 gag, due to a potent CMV promoter with intron A and a codon-optimized gag encoding region (see U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/168,471, filed December l, 1999). The plasmid was grown in E. coli strain HB 101, purified using a Qiagen Endofree Plasmid Giga kit, (Qiagen, Inc.) and resuspended in 0.9% sodium chloride (Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, IL). Plasmid concentrations were analyzed by measuring absorbance at 260 nm.
Expression of the encoded antigens was verified by transient expression studies in B 16 cells. One pg of each plasmid DNA was used for Lipofectin (Gibco/BRL) transfection following the manufacturers protocol; 5x 105 cells were used per 3 cm tissue culture dish; incubation time for DNA/Lipofectin on cells was for 4 hours. Supernatants were harvested 36 hours after removal of the DNA/Lipofectin solution and cells were lysed in 500 ~l phosphate buffered saline (PBS)/0.5% TritonX100 (Mallinckrodt). Luciferase activity in cell lysates was detected by commercial Luciferase Reporter Gene Assay (Roche, Indianapolis, IN).
Immunization Procedure:
Female 6-8 week old CB6F1 or BalbC mice (Charles River) were anesthetized using 4 parts ketamine HCI, 100mg/ml stock solution, (Fort Dodge Animal Health, Fort Dodge, Iowa) 1 part xylazine, 20mg/ml, (LLoyd Labs, Shenandoah, Iowa). The mice received 1 ~1 per gm of body weight intramuscularly in the posterior thigh. The anterior tibialis (TA) muscle was shaved and the animals were injected with 10 ~g of plasmid in a volume of 50 ~1. To control needle depth, the syringe was covered with polyethylene tubing (i.d. 0.38) to expose only the bevel. The animals were injected intramuscularly, intradermally or subcutaneously. For each of the types of injections, an electrical field was then applied to the animals except to the control group of animals. One group of animals received an electrical field in the iontophoresis range. That is, using a single needle probe set-up 50 mA at a 10 msec pulse width, 1 Hz frequency for a total of 60 pulses were delivered. Another group of animals received an electrical field in the low electroporation range. That is, 40 V at 10 msec pulse width, 1 Hz frequency for 5 pulses were delivered plus 5 additional pulses were delivered after the probe was turned in an orthogonal direction to the first set of 5 pulses.
Another group of animals received an electrical field in the high electroporation range. That is 80 V, at a 10 msec pulse width, 1 Hz frequency for 5 pulses were delivered plus 5 additional pulses were delivered after the probe was turned in an orthogonal directed to the first set of 5 pulses. Serum samples were collected at 2, 4, 8 and 12 week intervals and analyzed by the below-outlined procedures. The results of this experiment showed enhanced antibody titers in the animals inoculated by the i.m.
route with enhancement ranging from 8- to 20-fold.
Immunoassays:
The mouse anti-p55 IgG antibodies were measured by one of two methods, chemi-luminescent or colormetric ELISA assays.
Chemi-luminescent ELISA
MicroLite 2, 96 well flat bottom plates (Dynes Technologies, Chantilly, VA) were coated with HN p24 protein at 5~g/ml in IOmM tris pH=7.5, 50 ~l per well and incubated at 4°C overnight. The plates were washed 3X with wash buffer [1X AquaLite~ Wash Buffer (SeaLite Sciences, Inc. Bogart, GA) containing 0.3%
Tween 20 (Sigma, St. Louis, MO)], and blocked at 37°C for 1 hour with 150 pl/well blocking buffer [1X Streptavidin AquaLite~ Assay buffer (SeaLite Sciences, Inc. Bogart, GA) containing 5% goal serum]. The plates were washed 3X and the test sera were diluted 1/300 or 1/9000 followed by serial 3-fold dilutions in the blocking buffer. A volume of 50 ~l of each dilution was added per well and the plates were incubated at 37°C for 1 hour. The plates were washed 6X
and incubated for 1 hour at 37°C with 50 ~l/well of Goat anti-mouse IgG
-Biotin (Sigma St. Louis, MO), diluted 1/1000 in block buffer. After washing 6X, the plates were incubated at 37°C for 1 hour with Streptavidin-Aqualite~
(SeaLite Sciences, Inc. Bogart, GA), diluted 1/500 in wash buffer, 50 pl/well. The plates were washed 6X and stored in wash buffer until reactivity was measured on the luminometer (MLX, Dynex Technologies, Chantilly, VA). Setting for the luminometer - mode: Integrate Flash, Gain: High, Data: Table, Delay window:
0.00 sec., Integrate window: 3.00 sec., Before peak: 0.10 sec., After peak:
2.00 sec, calibrate on each well. The plates were tapped dry and put into the luminometer.
Fifty microliters of 1X AquaLite~. Trigger Buffer (SeaLite Sciences, Inc.
Bogart, GA) were automatically dispensed per well and the relative light units (RLU) measured. Endpoint titers were calculated as the inverse of the dilution that yields an RLU equal to the background plus 5 times the standard deviation.
Colormetric ELISA
Wells of Immulon 2 HB "U" bottom microtiter plates (Dynex Technologies, Chantilly, VA) were coated with HN p55 protein at 5 ~1/ml in PBS, 50 p,l per well, and incubated at 4°C overnight. The plates were washed 6X with wash buffer [PBS, 0.1 % tween (Sigma, St. Louis, MO)] and blocked at 37°C for 1 hour with 150g1/well blocking buffer [PBS, 0.1% tween 20 (Sigma, St. Louis MO), 1 % goat serum]. Test sera were diluted 1/25 followed by serious 3-fold dilutions in blocking buffer. The block solution was aspirated the plates were incubated at 37° for 2 hours with 150p1/well of Goat anti-mouse IgG-HRP (Caltag, Burlingame, CA) diluted 1/40,000 in block buffer. Following a final 6 washes, the plates were developed with OPD for 30 min. The OPD developer consists of 1 tablet ( 10 mg) o-phenylenediamine, 12 ml buffer (O.1M citric acid, O.1M dibasic sodium phosphate), Spl 30% H~O~. The reaction was stopped with 501 per well 4H
HZS04 and optical density was measured at dual wavelengths 492-690. The reported titers correspond to the reciprocal of the serum dilution producing an absorbance value of 1Ø
Example 2 Enhancement Of Luciferase Gene Expression In Muscle Cells In Mammals Previous reports have demonstrated that application of electric current after injection of plasmid DNA has resulted in increased expression of the encoded proteins in the injected tissues (for example see Mir et al. ( 1999) CR Acad.
Sci. III
321:893-899; Mathieson ( 1999) Gene Ther. 6: 508-514). In order to demonstrate the ability of electoporation and iontophoresis to facilitate the distribution and/or uptake of DNA into mammalian cells and tissue, mice were injected with DNA
encoding the readily discernable marker enzyme luciferase (Luc).
Immunization Procedure Female 6-8 week old CB6F1 mice (Charles River) were anesthetized using 4 parts ketamine HCI, 100 mg/ml stock solution (Fort Dodge Animal Health, Fort Dodge, Iowa), 1 part xylazine, 20 mg/ml (Lloyd Labs, Shenandoah, Iowa). The mice received 1 p,l per mg of body weight intramuscularly in the posterior thigh.
The tibialis anterior (TA) muscle was shaved and the animals were injected with 10 ~g of plasmid in a volume of 50 pl. To control needle depth, a 0.3 cc insulin syringe was covered with polyethylene tubing (i.d. 0.38) to expose only the bevel.
In some instances, electric current was applied to the injected muscles as follows. For constant current deliveries (iontophoresis), plasmid DNA in 5%
dextrose was injected into the right tibialis anterior muscle using a single needle delivery probe, which has a functional length of 3 mm. Following plasmid injection, the plasmid delivery needle was attached to the negative lead from the controller and a needle electrode placed in the contralateral leg was attached to the positive lead. Constant current pulses of 5 mA in amplitude, 10 msec in width, were given at a frequency of 1 Hz for 1 min. For constant voltage deliveries (electroporation), plasmid DNA in PBS was injected into the right tibialis anterior muscle as previously described. Electrical energy delivery was performed through a bipolar needle probe that was placed over the site of plasmid injection. The probe needles had a separation distance of 0.4 cm and a needle length of 0.3 cm.
The probe was connected to a constant voltage power supply and 5 constant voltage pulses, 50 msec in width, either 100 or 200 V cm-l, were applied in one orientation, the probe was rotated 90 degrees and 5 additional pulses were applied.
Measurement of Luciferase Activity Mice were sacrificed up to 14 days post vaccination, and TA muscles were collected and flash frozen in liquid nitrogen. The frozen tissue was homogenized with a mortar and pestle (on dry ice), lysed with 0.5 ml 1X reagent lysis buffer (Promega, Madison, WI), and vortexed for 15 minutes at room temperature. The samples were subjected to 3 freeze thaws and centrifuged for 10 minutes at 10,000 X g. Supernatants were collected and stored at -80°C until assayed. The microplate luminometer (Dynex Technologies, Chantilly, VA) measured the luciferase activity by automatically dispensing 100 pl of luciferase assay reagent (Promega, Madison, WI) into wells containing 20 p,l of supernatant, and measuring the relative light units (RLU). The setting for the luminometer were the following, Mode: enhanced flash, Gain: medium, Delay time: 1 sec., Integrate time: 5 sec., calibrate each run. Sample values were extrapolated from a standard curve prepared from QuantiLumO Recombinant Luciferase (Promega, Madison, WI).
Results are expressed as ng luciferase per mg muscle protein, with protein determination by BCA Protein Assay Reagent (Pierce).
The results of this experiment are shown in Table l, and indicate that electoporation and iontophoresis facilitated the distribution andlor uptake of DNA
into mammalian cells and tissue. In Table 1, results are expressed as ng luciferase activity per mg muscle protein. Numbers in parentheses indicate standard deviation of the mean (sd).
Table 1 Luc DNA Luc Mean Fold Treatment Activit (sd) Increase 6.76 0.74 3.794 1.00 (control) 0,44 (3.91) (10 fig) 9.11 1.92 26.63 10.54 17.35 4.57 Ionto 23.46 (895) (10 pg) 5.51 20.61 18.5 35.02 27.764 7.32 Electro 39.02 (11.30) (10 pg) 33.22 13.06 Example 3 Enhancement Of Luciferase Gene Expression In Muscle Cells In Mammals In order to assess the duration of luciferase gene expression in mammalian tissue, groups of 6 CB6 F1 mice were inoculated with 10 ltg of luciferase (Luc) DNA in the TA muscle of one leg. One group of mice was not further treated and one group was treated with electroporation (Electro). At 4 and 14 days after inoculation, the muscles were collected and luciferase activity was measured and expressed as ng luciferase activity per mg muscle protein. The data (Table 2) showed a significant enhancement of luciferase gene expression in mammalian tissue that had been subjected to electroporation, relative to non-electroporated, control animals. In Table 2, numbers in brackets indicate standard deviation of the mean (sd).
Table 2 4 Days 14 Days Luc DNA
Treatment Luc Mean Luc Mean activit (sd) activit (sd) 5.02 1.32 0 0 (control) 0 (2.03) o (0) (25 pg) 0.
0.05 0 17.3 5.26 42.9 50.8 3 12.7 (Electro) .
9.38 (33.2) 18.9 (14.9) (10 fig) 69.7 7.52 92.8 40.4 72.9 0.71 Example 4 Enhancement Of (3-Galactosidase Gene Expression In Muscle Cells In Mammals To further demonstrate the ability of electoporation and iontophoresis to facilitate the distribution and/or uptake of DNA into mammalian cells and tissue, mice were injected with DNA encoding a different readily discernable marker enzyme ((3-galactosidase).
CB6 F1 mice were inoculated with 100 pg of pCMV (3-gal, a (3-galactosidase-encoding DNA, in the TA muscle of one leg. The plasmid uses the same promoter as that used for HIV gag and env to express (3-galactosidase.
One group of mice was not further treated, one group was treated with electroporation, and another with iontophoresis. At 1 day after inoculation, the muscles were collected and prepared for microscopy (magnification = X). The data (Figure lA
(untreated); Figure 1B (electroporation)) indicated that electroporation had substantially facilitated the distribution and/or uptake of DNA into mammalian cells and tissue. A similar result was observed in mouse tissue that had been subjected to iontophoresis.
Thus, DNA plasmids encoding the reporter genes luciferase and (3-galactosidase were employed to measure transfection of muscles cells in vivo.
At 4 and 14 days after a single inoculation of DNA, luciferase expression was found to be higher in muscles treated with electric current (as compared to untreated muscles (see Example 2, Table 1)). This was true for muscles that had been subjected to both iontophoresis (4.6-fold) and electroporation (7.3-fold).
Similarly, the number of muscle fibers detectably transfected after inoculation of (3-galactosidase DNA was found to have been substantially increased by iontophoresis and electroporation, as compared to untreated muscles, as judged by (3-galactosidase staining of muscle tissue sections. In addition, as noted previously (Mir et al. ( 1999) CR Acad. Sci. III 321:893-899), application of electric current appears to decrease the variability of reporter gene expression in muscle cells.
Therefore, application of electric current facilitates delivery of DNA to muscle cells in situ promotes efficient transfection.
Example 5 Enhancement Of Antibody Responses In Mammals In order to demonstrate the ability of electroporation and iontophoresis to enhance the antibody responses of mammals, groups of 4-6 CB6 Fl mice were inoculated a single time with 10 p.g of DNA encoding the HIV gag protein.
The plasmid pCMV HIV p55 gag, grown in E. coli strain HB101, as described above, was employed as the source of the gag-encoding DNA. The DNA
was inoculated into the TA muscle of one leg. One group of mice was not further treated, one group was treated with iontophoresis and another with electroporation.
Sera from mice were analyzed for anti-gag antibody titer at 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after inoculation. The data are shown in Figure 2. In Figure 2, data are plotted as geometric mean ELISA titer and error bars indicate SEM. At all time points tested, antibody titers in mice that had been subjected to iontophoresis and electroporation were 8- to 20-fold higher than in animals receiving no further treatment (Figure 2).
As with luciferase expression levels, in general, electroporation conditions appeared slightly superior to iontophoresis for enhancement of antibody responses.
The data indicate a pronounced enhancement of antibody response in animals subjected to electroporation and iontophoresis, relative to the response of control animals.
Example 6 Effect Of Vaccine Boosting On Antibody Responses In Mammals In order to demonstrate the effect of vaccine boosting on antibody responses in mammals, groups of 6 CB6 F 1 mice were inoculated with 10 pg of DNA encoding the HIV gag protein. Inoculation was into the TA muscle of one leg of the animals at 3 and 6 weeks. One group of mice was not further treated (Figure 3, open bars), one group was treated with iontophoresis (Figure 3, solid bars) and another with electroporation (Figure 3, shaded bars). Sera were collected at 3 weeks after each immunization and analyzed for antibody responses.
Data are plotted as geometric mean ELISA titer and error bars indicate SEM.
Antibody titers were elevated in all groups after the booster injection, but the approximately 10-fold enhancement in titers observed in mice receiving electric current was maintained even after the boost (Figure 3).
Example 7 Effect Of Conditions Of Iontophoresis And Electrophoresis On Antibody Responses In Mammals In order to demonstrate the effect of the conditions of iontophoresis and electroporation on mammalian antibody responses, groups of 6 CB6 F1 mice were inoculated with 10 p.g of HIV gag DNA (obtained as described above) in the TA
muscle of one leg at 3 weeks. Groups of mice were treated as indicated in Table 3.
Sera were collected at 3 weeks and analyzed for antibody responses. In Table 3, data are tabulated as geometric mean ELISA titer and as fold increase over titers achieved in vaccinated but untreated mice. The results show that enhancement of DNA vaccine potency is achieved across a wide range of conditions.
Table 3 Treatment ConditionsNumber DurationGeometric Fold of Pulses (cosec) Mean Titer Increase DNA control- - - 414 1 Ionto 50 mA 60 10 1071 2.59 Ionto 50 mA 10 10 2521 6.09 Ionto 50 mA 10 50 1738 4.20 Ionto 100 mA 10 10 1876 4.53 Ionto 100 mA 10 50 2293 5.54 Electro 25 V/cm 10 10 479 1.16 Electro 50 V/cm 10 10 1099 2.65 Electro 50 V/cm 10 50 2390 5.77 Electro 100 V/cm 10 SO 1800 4.35 Electro 200 V/cm 10 10 2208 5.33 Electro 200 V/cm 10 50 2079 5.02 Electro 300 V/cm 10 10 2834 6.85 Electro 400 V/cm 10 10 1359 3.28 Example 8 Efficacy Of Intradermal Administration Of Iontophoresis And Electroporation In Mammals.
In order to assess the efficacy of intradermal administration of iontophoresis and electroporation in mammals, groups of 6 CB6 F1 mice were inoculated with 10 ~g of HIV gag DNA intradermally on the backs. One group of mice was not further treated (DNA control), one group was treated with iontophoresis and another with electroporation at the conditions indicated in Table 4. Sera were collected at 3 weeks after immunization and analyzed for antibody responses. In Table 4, data are tabulated as geometric mean ELISA titer and fold increase over titers achieved in vaccinated but untreated mice. As shown, electroporation and iontophoresis are also effective for the intradermal route of administration of DNA vaccines.
Table 4 Treatment ConditionsNumber Duration Geometric Fold of Pulses (cosec) Mean Increase DNA control- - - 472 1 Ionto 50 mA 60 10 696 1.47 Ionto 50 mA 10 10 1291 2.74 ~
Ionto 50 mA 10 50 626 1.33 Ionto 100 mA 10 10 2376 5.03 Ionto 100 mA 10 50 1134 2.40 Electro 150 V/cm 10 10 2768 5.86 Electro 300 V/cm 10 10 851 1.80 Electro 450 V/cm 10 10 132 0.28 Electro 600 V/cm 10 10 887 1.88 Electro 750 V/cm 10 10 480 1.02 Electro 75 V/cm 10 50 224 0.47 Electro 150 V/cm 10 50 728 1.54 Electro 225 V/cm 10 50 2202 4.67 Electro 300 V/cm 10 50 6125 12.98 Electro 375 V/cm 10 50 937 1.99 Example 9 Efficacy Of Plate Electrode For Iontophoresis And Electroporation In Mammals In order to demonstrate the efficacy of employing a plate electrode for iontophoresis and electroporation in mammals, groups of 6 CB6 Fl mice were inoculated with 10 pg of HIV gag DNA in the TA muscle of one leg. Groups of mice were treated as indicated in Table 5. The combination needle and plate electrode system consists of 3 electrically conducting components, plus electrical leads for connections, and a holder apparatus. Two of the electrically conductive components represent needle electrodes, of the same polarity (typically negative).
These needle electrodes are fabricated of stainless steel (cylindrical, grade 316).
Needle lengths were 3mm. The needles were encapsulated within insulation, and were retained in the electrode assembly, surrounded by the plate electrode.
The plate electrode consisted of a stainless steel block, with dimensions of 1 x 1 x 1 cm. The needle electrodes extended through the plate electrode, with approximately 3 mm length extending beyond the surface of the electrode.
Insulation around the needle prevented passage of electric current from the needle directly to the plate electrode. For in vivo application, the electric current path was from the power source through the connector cable to the needle electrodes.
Electric current was then transmitted from the end of the needle electrodes through biological tissue, to the plate electrode, and thus through a connecting cable to the power source, completing the circuit. The shortest electrically conductive path through tissue is approximately 2.5 mm. This is accounted for by the 2 mm of insulated needle electrode extending above the plate electrode, and the diameter of the holes through the plate electrode, through which the needle electrodes extend.
The electrode assembly was used to deliver a series of electrical energy pulses in either constant voltage (electroporation) or a constant current (iontophoresis) mode.
Sera were collected at 6 weeks and analyzed for antibody responses. One group of mice was not further treated (DNA control). Other groups were treated with iontophoresis and electroporation at the indicated conditions. In Table 5, data are tabulated as geometric mean ELISA titer and fold increase over titers achieved in vaccinated but untreated mice. The results indicate that a significant increase in antibody titer could be obtained using the needle and plate electrode system to deliver current for electroporation or iontophoresis.
Table 5 Treatment ConditionsNumber Duration Geometric Fold of (cosec) Mean Increase Pulses DNA control- - - 198 1 Ionto 50 mA 10 10 1596 8.06 Ionto 100 mA 10 10 1235 6.24 Electro 200 V/cm 10 10 1411 7.13 Electro 300 V/cm 10 10 1252 6.32 Example 10 Efficacy Of Electroporation On Anti-HIV Gag Antibody Responses in Mammals In order to demonstrate the efficacy of electroporation on the anti-HIV gag antibody response of mammals, groups of 4-6 New Zealand white rabbits were inoculated with a combination DNA vaccine consisting of S00 pg of DNA
encoding the HIV gag protein and 1 mg of DNA encoding the HIV env protein.
The plasmid pCMV HIV gag was used as the source of the gag- encoding DNA.
Plasmid pCMV HIV env was employed as the source of the env-encoding DNA.
The plasmid expresses high levels of HN-1 env, due to a potent CMV promoter with intron A and a codon-optimized env-encoding region (see U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/168,471, filed December l, 1999).
Inoculations were into the hind leg gracilis muscles at 0, 6 and 12 weeks.
One group of rabbits received DNA without further treatment (DNA control).
Other groups were treated with electroporation with a 6-needle electrode or a needle electrode. The two-needle array electrodes (BTX) were inserted into the muscle immediately after DNA delivery for electroporation. The distance between the electrodes was 5 mm and the array was inserted longitudinally relative to the muscle fibers. In vivo electroporation parameters were: 20V/mm distance between the electrodes, 50 msec pulse length, 6 pulses with reversal of polarity after three pulses, at 1 pulse per second, given by a BTX 820 square wave generator. The electroporation with a 6-needle electrode array formed a circle (Genetronics, Inc.).
The diameter of the electrode array was 1 cm, with a needle length of 1 cm.
Six electroporation pulses of 20V/mm, 50 msec pulse length, one pulse per second were given by a BTX 820 square wave generator, combined with an electronic switch (Genetronics, Inc.) to rotate the electric field in 60 degree increments after each discharge (Hofmann et al. (1996) IEEE Engineer. Med. Biol. 15:124-132).
At 26 weeks, all rabbits were boosted with recombinant gag protein and sera were collected at 2 weeks post-protein boost and analyzed for anti-gag antibody responses. Anti-HIV gag antibodies were measured by ELISA as follows.
Wells of Immulon 2 HB "U" bottom microtiter plates (Dynex Technologies, Chantilly, VA) were coated with HIV p55 protein at S~g/ml in PBS, 50 pl per well, and incubated at 4°C overnight. The plates were washed 6X with wash buffer [PBS, 0.1 % Tween 20 (Sigma, St. Louis, MO)] and blocked at 37°C for 1 hour with 150p1/well blocking buffer [PBS, 0.5% casein, and 5% goat serum]; the dilution buffer was blocking buffer plus 0.3% Tween 20. The secondary antibody was goat anti-rabbit IgG used at 1/20,000; and the OD cutoff used was 0.6.
Test sera were diluted 1/25 followed by serial 3-fold dilutions in blocking buffer.
The blocking buffer was aspirated and the plates were incubated at 37°C for 2 hours with 50~1/well of each dilution. After washing 6 times, the plates were incubated for 1 hour at 37°C with 50~1/well of Goat anti-mouse IgG-HRP (Caltag, Burlingame, CA) diluted 1/40,000 in blocking buffer. Following a final 6 washes, the plates were developed with OPD for 30min. The OPD developer consists of 1 tablet (10 mg) o-phenylenediamine; 12 ml buffer (O.1M citric acid, O.1M
dibasic sodium phosphate), 5p130% H20z. The reaction was stopped with 50p1 per well 4N H2S04 and optical density was measured at dual wavelengths 492-690. The reported titers correspond to the reciprocal of the serum dilution producing an absorbance value of 1Ø
For measurement of anti-env antibodies in rabbits and guinea pigs, Nunc Immunoplate U96 Maxisorp plates (Nalge Nunc International, Rochester, NY) were coated with 200ng per well of recombinant gp 120SF2 protein and incubated for at least 14 hours at 4°C. Between steps, the plates were washed in a buffer containing 137mM NaCI and 0.05% Triton X100. Serum samples were initially diluted 1:25 or 1:100 (in a buffer containing 100mM NaPO~, 0.1% Casein, 1mM
EDTA, 1% Triton X-100, 0.5M NaCI and 0.01% Thimerosal, pH 7.5) and were serially diluted 3-fold. The plates were incubated for 50 minutes. After washing in a buffer containing 137mM NaCI, 0.05% Triton X-100, the samples were then reacted with an HRP-conjugated second antibody. The plates were then developed using a TMB substrate kit (Pierce, Rockford, IL). The plates were stopped with either 2N HZS04 or 10% SDS, respectively and read at wavelengths of 450nm or 415nm, respectively. Anti-env antibody responses were measured as the dilution at which an OD of 0.6 was achieved.
The data is shown in Figure 4, and indicates that electroporation was effective in enhancing the induced immune response. In Figure 4, data are plotted as geometric mean ELISA titer and error bars indicate SEM.
Example 11 Efficacy Of Electroporation On Anti-HIV Env Antibody Responses in Mammals As a further demonstration of the efficacy of electroporation on the antibody response of mammals, groups of 4 New Zealand white rabbits were inoculated with a combination DNA vaccine consisting of 500 ~.g of HIV gag-encoding DNA and 1 mg of HIV env-encoding DNA (obtained as described above) in the hind leg muscles at 0 and 6 weeks. One group of rabbits received DNA
without further treatment and one group was treated with electroporation with a 6-needle electrode as described above. Sera were collected at 2 weeks post the second DNA immunization and analyzed for anti-env antibody responses. The data are shown in Table 6. In Table 6, data are tabulated as individual ELISA
titers, geometric mean ELISA titers (GMT) and fold increase over titers achieved in vaccinated but untreated rabbits. The data show a pronounced enhancement of antibody titer in animals subjected to electroporation.
Table 6 Geometric Fold ConditionsTiter Mean Titer Increase control 141 6-needle 762 833 18.93 Electro 821 It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It will be additionally apparent to those skilled in the art that the basic construction of the present invention is intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of this invention is to be defined by the claims appended hereto, rather than the specific embodiments which have been presented as examples. All references and documents cited herein are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
Figure lA and Figure 1B show the expression of (3-galactosidase in mouse muscles that had received (3-galactosidase-encoding DNA either without additional treatment (Figure lA) or after electroporation (Figure 1B).
Figure 2 shows the ability of electroporation and iontophoresis to enhance the antibody responses of mammals after a single inoculation with DNA encoding the HIV gag protein.
Figure 3 shows the effect of vaccine boosting on antibody responses in mammals inoculated with DNA encoding the HIV gag protein. Note the enhanced immune responses induced by electroporation and iontophoresis even after the booster immunization.
Figure 4 shows the efficacy of electroporation on the anti-HIV gag antibody response of mammals inoculated with a DNA vaccine encoding HIV gag, followed by immunization with recombinant gag protein. Note the enhanced levels of booster response in rabbits that had been primed with DNA and electroporation compared to animals primed with DNA alone.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method for the enhancement of DNA
vaccine efficacy by electrically-mediated administration of the DNA in vivo.
The recipient of the DNA vaccine may be any mammal (especially a cat, a dog, a horse, a human, a rabbit or a rodent). The invention particularly contemplates that the recipient of the DNA vaccine may be a human.
The DNA vaccine that is administered in accordance with the present invention encodes one or more immunogens. As used herein, an immunogen is a protein or a peptide (i.e., a fragment of a protein) that contains at least one epitope such that the immunogen induces an enhanced immune response in a recipient mammal. As used herein, a treatment or procedure is said to enhance an immune _7-response if the treatment or procedure increases the extent, duration or degree of the response beyond that observed in the absence of such treatment or procedure.
The enhanced immune responses of the present invention include the enhanced production of antibody that is specifically reactive with the immunogen, and the enhanced production of lymphocytes that produce such antibody. An antibody is said to be specifically reactive with an immunogen if it binds to the immunogen in an immunologically relevant manner.
Any of a variety of DNA vaccines may be used in accordance with the present invention include those (for review, see Donnelly et al. ( 1997) Ann.
Rev.
Immunol. 15:617-648; Manikan et al. (1997) Crit. Rev. Immunol. 17:139-154;
Alarcon et al. ( 1999) Adv. Parasitol. 42: 343-410; Lai and Bennett ( 1998) Crit.
Rev. Immunol. 18:449-484; Tuteja (1999) Crit. Rev. Biochem. Molec. Biol. 34:1-24). In a preferred embodiment, the DNA vaccine of the present invention will encode more than one epitope. Thus, for example, the administered DNA may encode all of the epitopes of a protein associated with HIV (such as the gag or env protein). Alternatively, the administered DNA may encode only a peptide of such protein that contains one (or fewer than all) of the protein's epitopes.
The present invention contemplates that the immunogens encoded by the DNA vaccine of the present invention may comprise a protein or peptide of a pathogen. Such pathogen may be any of a wide group of bacteria (e.g., E. coli strains and strains of other enterics (e.g., Salmonella), Clostridria, Vibrio, Corynebacteria, Listeria, Nocardia, Legionella, Bacilli (especially B.
anthracis), Staphylococcus, Streptococci (especially beta-hemolytic Streptococci and S.
pneumoniae), Borrelia, Mycobacterium (especially M. tuberculosi), Neisseria (especially N. gonorrhoeae), Trepanoma, etc.), viruses (e.g., parvoviruses, orthomyxoviruses (especially those causing influenza), paramyxoviruses, picornaviruses (especially rhinoviruses or polioviruses), papoviruses, herpesviruses, togaviruses, retroviruses (especially HIV), rhabdoviruses, etc.), and lower eukaryotes (e.g., fungi, protozoa, yeast, helminths, nematodes, etc.
(especially Dermatophytes, Pneumocystis, Trypanosoma, Plasmodium, Candida, _g_ Cryptococcus, Histoplasma, Coccidioides, amoeba, schistosomes, etc.).
Alternatively, the immunogens of the present invention may encode antigens that are produced by aberrant or diseased cells of the recipient (e.g., cancer cells, etc.), such that the recipient animal will form antibodies that will attack such cells.
The immunogens encoded by the DNA vaccine of the present invention may be related to one another, may be clinically related, or may be unrelated to one another. As used herein, immunogens are related to one another if the immune responses that they induce elicit antibodies that bind to the same cell, microbe, virus, etc. For example, DNA that encodes epitopes of the gag or env protein would encode related immunogens. Immunogens are said to be clinically related to one another if the immune responses that they induce elicit antibodies that bind to different cells, microbes, viruses, etc. that are associated with the same clinical condition. For example, individuals suffering from Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) may develop infections caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, and by the yeast Candida. DNA that encodes epitopes of a Listeria monocytogenes protein and a Candida protein would encode clinically related immunogens. Alternatively, the DNA vaccine of the present invention may encode an epitope of a poliovirus and an epitope of a measles virus, and thus provide unrelated immunogens.
Most preferably, the DNA of the DNA vaccine of the present invention will contain regulatory elements (promoters, translation initiation sites, etc.) operably linked to the immunogen-encoding sequences and sufficient to permit the protein expression of the immunogen. Alternatively, the administered DNA will not contain such regulatory elements, and will require cellular processes (such as recombination or integration into nuclear or mitochondria) DNA, etc.) in order to produce the encoded immunogen.
The DNA vaccine of the present invention may comprise more than one molecular species of DNA. Such multiples species may contain the same DNA
sequence (e.g., a mixture of circular and linearized plasmids), or may contain _9_ different DNA sequences encoding the same immunogen (e.g., a mixture of DNA
molecules of different length all of which contain a particular immunogen-encoding sequence), or may contain DNA sequences encoding different immunogens. The administered DNA can be either "naked" DNA (i.e., free of associated protein or lipids), or may be complexed with protein or lipids or other molecules. For example, the DNA can be administered with a local anesthetic such as bupivicaine or a myotoxin such as cardiotoxin, or with proteins that assist in the efficient presentation of antigen (e.g., CD80, CD86, etc.) (Tuteja (1999) Crit. Rev.
Biochem. Molec. Biol. 34:1-24). The DNA may encode only the desired immunogen or immunogens, or may encode other additional proteins or peptides that may be linked or unlinked to the immunogen and that enhance immunogen stability or immunogenicity. The DNA may also encode protein extraneous to the immunogenicity of the immunogen that is encoded by the DNA; such extraneous protein may likewise be linked or unlinked to the immunogen. The DNA of the DNA vaccine of the present invention may contain untranslated or untranscribed DNA.
The DNA can be incorporated into a recombinant expression vector such as a chimeric virus, a plasmid DNA, etc. The DNA is preferably dissolved or suspended in a buffer or other solution (e.g., 5% dextrose).
In a particularly preferred embodiment, DNA, preferably in the form of plasmid DNA, is administered (especially by injection) into tissue and voltage pulses are applied between electrodes disposed in the tissue, thus applying electric fields to cells of the tissue. The electrically-mediated enhancement covers administration using either iontophoresis or electroporation in vivo. Suitable techniques of electroporation and iontophoresis are provided by Singh et al.
(1989) Drug Des. Deliv. 4:1-12; Theiss U et al. (1991) Methods Find. Exp. Clin.
Pharrnacol. 13:353-359; Singh and Maibach ( 1993) Derrnatology. 187:235-238;
Singh and Maibach ( 1994) Crit. Rev. Ther. Drug Carrier Syst. 11:161-213; Su et al. ( 1994) J. Pharm. Sci. 83:12-17; Costello et al. ( 1995) Phys. Ther.
75:554-563;
Howard et al. ( 1995) Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 76:463-466; Kassan et al. ( 1996) J. Amer. Acad. Dermatol. 34:657-666; Riviere et al. (1997) Pharm. Res. 14:687-697; Zempsky et al. ( 1998) Amer. J. Anesthesiol. 25:158-162; Muramatsu et al.
( 1998) Int. J. Mol. Med. 1:55-62; Garrison J. ( 1998) Med. Device Technol.
9:32-36;
Banga et al. ( 1998) Trends Biotechnol. 16:408-412; Banga et al. ( 1999) Int.
J.
Pharm. 179:1-19; Singh et al. ( 1999) Anticancer Drugs. 10:139-146; Neumann et al. (1999) Bioelectrochem. Bioenerg. 48:3-16; and Heiser (2000) Methods Mol.
Biol. 130:117-134. Whereas any suitable route of inoculation may be employed, of intra-muscular (i.m.), intra-dermal (i.d.), or sub-cutaneous (s.c.), i.m.
injection is the most efficacious. Enhanced immune responses are, however, also seen after i.d. injections.
The nature of the electric field generated in accordance with the present invention is determined by the nature of the tissue, the size of the selected tissue and its location. It is desirable that the field be as homogeneous as possible and of the correct amplitude. The use of insufficient or excessive field strength is to be avoided. As used herein, a field strength is excessive if it results in the lysing of cells. A field strength is insufficient if it results in a reduction of efficacy of 90%
relative to the maximum efficacy obtainable. The electrodes may be mounted and manipulated in many ways known in the art.
The waveform of the electrical signal provided by the pulse generator can be an exponentially decaying pulse, a square pulse, a unipolar oscillating pulse train or a bipolar oscillating pulse train. The waveform, electric field strength and pulse duration are dependent upon the type of cells and the DNA that are to enter the cells via electrical-mediated delivery and thus are determined by those skilled in the art in consideration of these criteria.
Any number of known devices may be used for delivering the DNA vaccine and generating the desired electric field. Examples of suitable devices include, but are not limited to, a single needle probe, a bipolar probe and a combination needle and plate probe. The single needle probe exemplified herein is a single stainless steel needle, with an insulation stop that provides preferably about 3mm of active zone. The single needle serves as the negative electrode and the plasmid delivery device. The positive electrode is a hypodermic needle located in the opposite leg or arm of the recipient patient or test animal. The bipolar probe exemplified herein contains two stainless steel needles preferably about 3mm in length and separated by a distance of preferably about 0.4cm. One needle carries a positive charge and one needle carries a negative charge. The combination needle and plate probe exemplified herein contains two stainless steel needles preferably about 3 mm in length and separated by a distance of preferably about 0.4cm. The needles are insulated except for the distal lmm. Both needles serve as the negative electrodes.
The needles protrude from a stainless steel block. The block sits on the surface of the skin and serves as the positive electrode. The separation distance between the nearest active area on the block to the nearest active area on the needles is preferably about 2.Smm. The needles are insulated from direct contact with the stainless steel block.
Preferred electrical field conditions for i.m. administration are as follows:
SOmA for lOmsec for 5 pulses then rotated 90° (i.e., orthogonally) for 5 additional pulses; 120V for 10 msec for 5 pulses then rotate orthogonally for 5 additional pulses when using the bipolar probe; and 80V for lOmsec for 5 pulsed then rotate orthogonally for 5 additional pulses when using the combination plate and needle probe. Preferred electrical field conditions for i.d. administration are as follows:
SOmA for SOmsec for 5 pulses then rotate orthogonally for 5 additional pulses;
and 120 V for 50 msec for 5 pulses then rotate orthogonally for 5 additional pulses when using the bipolar probe.
Preparations of DNA for parenteral administration include but are not limited to sterile or aqueous or non-aqueous solutions, suspensions, and emulsions.
Examples of non-aqueous solvents are propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, vegetable oils such as olive oil, and injectable organic esters such as ethyl oleate.
The increased DNA vaccine potency observed after iontophoresis or electroporation may reflect a facilitation, by the electric current, of the distribution of DNA within the injected tissue and/or uptake of DNA by cells, leading to increased transfection. The ensuing increase in the amount of antigen expressed by cells is likely to have played a role in the elevated immune responses.
Alternatively, or in addition, infiltration of inflammatory cells (in response to the electric current) could have an "adjuvant" effect on the produced antigen. The present invention demonstrates that DNA vaccine potency can be increased by application of electric current. The results indicate that a significant limitation to efficient transfection of cells in vivo by naked DNA vaccines in the past (possibly accounting for the lack of efficacy of DNA vaccines in larger animals, such as primates, in the past) has been the distribution of the introduced DNA within tissue and/or uptake of DNA by cells. Iontophoresis and electroporation (as well as equivalent means for facilitating the delivery of DNA into cells and tissue can be used to surmount this problem and enable the development of DNA vaccines.
Having now fully described the invention, the same will be further illustrated by way of the following examples, which are meant solely to illustrate the invention and are not to be construed to limit the invention in any way.
Those skilled in the art will recognize modifications that are within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Example 1 Materials And Methods For In Vivo Electrical-Enhanced Delivery Of DNA.
Bacterial Strain and plasmid preparation The bacteria Escherichia coli strain HB 101 were transformed with the plasmids pCMV HIV gag prepared as described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/114495, filed 31 December 1998, or pCMV KM LUC encoding firefly luciferase reporter gene (LUC). In brief, a luciferase expression plasmid was obtained from Promega Corporation (Madison, WI). E. coli strain XL-1 Blue (Stratagene, La Jolla), carrying the expression plasmid, was grown in LB;
antibiotic selection employed 50 ~g/ml of ampicillin. Plasmids were purified using Qiagen Endo Free Plasmid Maxi Kits (Qiagen, Inc., Chatsworth, CA) according to the manufacturer instructions and resuspended in 0.9% sodium chloride (Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, 1L).
The plasmid pCMV HIV gag was used as a source of gag-encoding DNA.
The plasmid expresses high levels of HIV-1 gag, due to a potent CMV promoter with intron A and a codon-optimized gag encoding region (see U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/168,471, filed December l, 1999). The plasmid was grown in E. coli strain HB 101, purified using a Qiagen Endofree Plasmid Giga kit, (Qiagen, Inc.) and resuspended in 0.9% sodium chloride (Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, IL). Plasmid concentrations were analyzed by measuring absorbance at 260 nm.
Expression of the encoded antigens was verified by transient expression studies in B 16 cells. One pg of each plasmid DNA was used for Lipofectin (Gibco/BRL) transfection following the manufacturers protocol; 5x 105 cells were used per 3 cm tissue culture dish; incubation time for DNA/Lipofectin on cells was for 4 hours. Supernatants were harvested 36 hours after removal of the DNA/Lipofectin solution and cells were lysed in 500 ~l phosphate buffered saline (PBS)/0.5% TritonX100 (Mallinckrodt). Luciferase activity in cell lysates was detected by commercial Luciferase Reporter Gene Assay (Roche, Indianapolis, IN).
Immunization Procedure:
Female 6-8 week old CB6F1 or BalbC mice (Charles River) were anesthetized using 4 parts ketamine HCI, 100mg/ml stock solution, (Fort Dodge Animal Health, Fort Dodge, Iowa) 1 part xylazine, 20mg/ml, (LLoyd Labs, Shenandoah, Iowa). The mice received 1 ~1 per gm of body weight intramuscularly in the posterior thigh. The anterior tibialis (TA) muscle was shaved and the animals were injected with 10 ~g of plasmid in a volume of 50 ~1. To control needle depth, the syringe was covered with polyethylene tubing (i.d. 0.38) to expose only the bevel. The animals were injected intramuscularly, intradermally or subcutaneously. For each of the types of injections, an electrical field was then applied to the animals except to the control group of animals. One group of animals received an electrical field in the iontophoresis range. That is, using a single needle probe set-up 50 mA at a 10 msec pulse width, 1 Hz frequency for a total of 60 pulses were delivered. Another group of animals received an electrical field in the low electroporation range. That is, 40 V at 10 msec pulse width, 1 Hz frequency for 5 pulses were delivered plus 5 additional pulses were delivered after the probe was turned in an orthogonal direction to the first set of 5 pulses.
Another group of animals received an electrical field in the high electroporation range. That is 80 V, at a 10 msec pulse width, 1 Hz frequency for 5 pulses were delivered plus 5 additional pulses were delivered after the probe was turned in an orthogonal directed to the first set of 5 pulses. Serum samples were collected at 2, 4, 8 and 12 week intervals and analyzed by the below-outlined procedures. The results of this experiment showed enhanced antibody titers in the animals inoculated by the i.m.
route with enhancement ranging from 8- to 20-fold.
Immunoassays:
The mouse anti-p55 IgG antibodies were measured by one of two methods, chemi-luminescent or colormetric ELISA assays.
Chemi-luminescent ELISA
MicroLite 2, 96 well flat bottom plates (Dynes Technologies, Chantilly, VA) were coated with HN p24 protein at 5~g/ml in IOmM tris pH=7.5, 50 ~l per well and incubated at 4°C overnight. The plates were washed 3X with wash buffer [1X AquaLite~ Wash Buffer (SeaLite Sciences, Inc. Bogart, GA) containing 0.3%
Tween 20 (Sigma, St. Louis, MO)], and blocked at 37°C for 1 hour with 150 pl/well blocking buffer [1X Streptavidin AquaLite~ Assay buffer (SeaLite Sciences, Inc. Bogart, GA) containing 5% goal serum]. The plates were washed 3X and the test sera were diluted 1/300 or 1/9000 followed by serial 3-fold dilutions in the blocking buffer. A volume of 50 ~l of each dilution was added per well and the plates were incubated at 37°C for 1 hour. The plates were washed 6X
and incubated for 1 hour at 37°C with 50 ~l/well of Goat anti-mouse IgG
-Biotin (Sigma St. Louis, MO), diluted 1/1000 in block buffer. After washing 6X, the plates were incubated at 37°C for 1 hour with Streptavidin-Aqualite~
(SeaLite Sciences, Inc. Bogart, GA), diluted 1/500 in wash buffer, 50 pl/well. The plates were washed 6X and stored in wash buffer until reactivity was measured on the luminometer (MLX, Dynex Technologies, Chantilly, VA). Setting for the luminometer - mode: Integrate Flash, Gain: High, Data: Table, Delay window:
0.00 sec., Integrate window: 3.00 sec., Before peak: 0.10 sec., After peak:
2.00 sec, calibrate on each well. The plates were tapped dry and put into the luminometer.
Fifty microliters of 1X AquaLite~. Trigger Buffer (SeaLite Sciences, Inc.
Bogart, GA) were automatically dispensed per well and the relative light units (RLU) measured. Endpoint titers were calculated as the inverse of the dilution that yields an RLU equal to the background plus 5 times the standard deviation.
Colormetric ELISA
Wells of Immulon 2 HB "U" bottom microtiter plates (Dynex Technologies, Chantilly, VA) were coated with HN p55 protein at 5 ~1/ml in PBS, 50 p,l per well, and incubated at 4°C overnight. The plates were washed 6X with wash buffer [PBS, 0.1 % tween (Sigma, St. Louis, MO)] and blocked at 37°C for 1 hour with 150g1/well blocking buffer [PBS, 0.1% tween 20 (Sigma, St. Louis MO), 1 % goat serum]. Test sera were diluted 1/25 followed by serious 3-fold dilutions in blocking buffer. The block solution was aspirated the plates were incubated at 37° for 2 hours with 150p1/well of Goat anti-mouse IgG-HRP (Caltag, Burlingame, CA) diluted 1/40,000 in block buffer. Following a final 6 washes, the plates were developed with OPD for 30 min. The OPD developer consists of 1 tablet ( 10 mg) o-phenylenediamine, 12 ml buffer (O.1M citric acid, O.1M dibasic sodium phosphate), Spl 30% H~O~. The reaction was stopped with 501 per well 4H
HZS04 and optical density was measured at dual wavelengths 492-690. The reported titers correspond to the reciprocal of the serum dilution producing an absorbance value of 1Ø
Example 2 Enhancement Of Luciferase Gene Expression In Muscle Cells In Mammals Previous reports have demonstrated that application of electric current after injection of plasmid DNA has resulted in increased expression of the encoded proteins in the injected tissues (for example see Mir et al. ( 1999) CR Acad.
Sci. III
321:893-899; Mathieson ( 1999) Gene Ther. 6: 508-514). In order to demonstrate the ability of electoporation and iontophoresis to facilitate the distribution and/or uptake of DNA into mammalian cells and tissue, mice were injected with DNA
encoding the readily discernable marker enzyme luciferase (Luc).
Immunization Procedure Female 6-8 week old CB6F1 mice (Charles River) were anesthetized using 4 parts ketamine HCI, 100 mg/ml stock solution (Fort Dodge Animal Health, Fort Dodge, Iowa), 1 part xylazine, 20 mg/ml (Lloyd Labs, Shenandoah, Iowa). The mice received 1 p,l per mg of body weight intramuscularly in the posterior thigh.
The tibialis anterior (TA) muscle was shaved and the animals were injected with 10 ~g of plasmid in a volume of 50 pl. To control needle depth, a 0.3 cc insulin syringe was covered with polyethylene tubing (i.d. 0.38) to expose only the bevel.
In some instances, electric current was applied to the injected muscles as follows. For constant current deliveries (iontophoresis), plasmid DNA in 5%
dextrose was injected into the right tibialis anterior muscle using a single needle delivery probe, which has a functional length of 3 mm. Following plasmid injection, the plasmid delivery needle was attached to the negative lead from the controller and a needle electrode placed in the contralateral leg was attached to the positive lead. Constant current pulses of 5 mA in amplitude, 10 msec in width, were given at a frequency of 1 Hz for 1 min. For constant voltage deliveries (electroporation), plasmid DNA in PBS was injected into the right tibialis anterior muscle as previously described. Electrical energy delivery was performed through a bipolar needle probe that was placed over the site of plasmid injection. The probe needles had a separation distance of 0.4 cm and a needle length of 0.3 cm.
The probe was connected to a constant voltage power supply and 5 constant voltage pulses, 50 msec in width, either 100 or 200 V cm-l, were applied in one orientation, the probe was rotated 90 degrees and 5 additional pulses were applied.
Measurement of Luciferase Activity Mice were sacrificed up to 14 days post vaccination, and TA muscles were collected and flash frozen in liquid nitrogen. The frozen tissue was homogenized with a mortar and pestle (on dry ice), lysed with 0.5 ml 1X reagent lysis buffer (Promega, Madison, WI), and vortexed for 15 minutes at room temperature. The samples were subjected to 3 freeze thaws and centrifuged for 10 minutes at 10,000 X g. Supernatants were collected and stored at -80°C until assayed. The microplate luminometer (Dynex Technologies, Chantilly, VA) measured the luciferase activity by automatically dispensing 100 pl of luciferase assay reagent (Promega, Madison, WI) into wells containing 20 p,l of supernatant, and measuring the relative light units (RLU). The setting for the luminometer were the following, Mode: enhanced flash, Gain: medium, Delay time: 1 sec., Integrate time: 5 sec., calibrate each run. Sample values were extrapolated from a standard curve prepared from QuantiLumO Recombinant Luciferase (Promega, Madison, WI).
Results are expressed as ng luciferase per mg muscle protein, with protein determination by BCA Protein Assay Reagent (Pierce).
The results of this experiment are shown in Table l, and indicate that electoporation and iontophoresis facilitated the distribution andlor uptake of DNA
into mammalian cells and tissue. In Table 1, results are expressed as ng luciferase activity per mg muscle protein. Numbers in parentheses indicate standard deviation of the mean (sd).
Table 1 Luc DNA Luc Mean Fold Treatment Activit (sd) Increase 6.76 0.74 3.794 1.00 (control) 0,44 (3.91) (10 fig) 9.11 1.92 26.63 10.54 17.35 4.57 Ionto 23.46 (895) (10 pg) 5.51 20.61 18.5 35.02 27.764 7.32 Electro 39.02 (11.30) (10 pg) 33.22 13.06 Example 3 Enhancement Of Luciferase Gene Expression In Muscle Cells In Mammals In order to assess the duration of luciferase gene expression in mammalian tissue, groups of 6 CB6 F1 mice were inoculated with 10 ltg of luciferase (Luc) DNA in the TA muscle of one leg. One group of mice was not further treated and one group was treated with electroporation (Electro). At 4 and 14 days after inoculation, the muscles were collected and luciferase activity was measured and expressed as ng luciferase activity per mg muscle protein. The data (Table 2) showed a significant enhancement of luciferase gene expression in mammalian tissue that had been subjected to electroporation, relative to non-electroporated, control animals. In Table 2, numbers in brackets indicate standard deviation of the mean (sd).
Table 2 4 Days 14 Days Luc DNA
Treatment Luc Mean Luc Mean activit (sd) activit (sd) 5.02 1.32 0 0 (control) 0 (2.03) o (0) (25 pg) 0.
0.05 0 17.3 5.26 42.9 50.8 3 12.7 (Electro) .
9.38 (33.2) 18.9 (14.9) (10 fig) 69.7 7.52 92.8 40.4 72.9 0.71 Example 4 Enhancement Of (3-Galactosidase Gene Expression In Muscle Cells In Mammals To further demonstrate the ability of electoporation and iontophoresis to facilitate the distribution and/or uptake of DNA into mammalian cells and tissue, mice were injected with DNA encoding a different readily discernable marker enzyme ((3-galactosidase).
CB6 F1 mice were inoculated with 100 pg of pCMV (3-gal, a (3-galactosidase-encoding DNA, in the TA muscle of one leg. The plasmid uses the same promoter as that used for HIV gag and env to express (3-galactosidase.
One group of mice was not further treated, one group was treated with electroporation, and another with iontophoresis. At 1 day after inoculation, the muscles were collected and prepared for microscopy (magnification = X). The data (Figure lA
(untreated); Figure 1B (electroporation)) indicated that electroporation had substantially facilitated the distribution and/or uptake of DNA into mammalian cells and tissue. A similar result was observed in mouse tissue that had been subjected to iontophoresis.
Thus, DNA plasmids encoding the reporter genes luciferase and (3-galactosidase were employed to measure transfection of muscles cells in vivo.
At 4 and 14 days after a single inoculation of DNA, luciferase expression was found to be higher in muscles treated with electric current (as compared to untreated muscles (see Example 2, Table 1)). This was true for muscles that had been subjected to both iontophoresis (4.6-fold) and electroporation (7.3-fold).
Similarly, the number of muscle fibers detectably transfected after inoculation of (3-galactosidase DNA was found to have been substantially increased by iontophoresis and electroporation, as compared to untreated muscles, as judged by (3-galactosidase staining of muscle tissue sections. In addition, as noted previously (Mir et al. ( 1999) CR Acad. Sci. III 321:893-899), application of electric current appears to decrease the variability of reporter gene expression in muscle cells.
Therefore, application of electric current facilitates delivery of DNA to muscle cells in situ promotes efficient transfection.
Example 5 Enhancement Of Antibody Responses In Mammals In order to demonstrate the ability of electroporation and iontophoresis to enhance the antibody responses of mammals, groups of 4-6 CB6 Fl mice were inoculated a single time with 10 p.g of DNA encoding the HIV gag protein.
The plasmid pCMV HIV p55 gag, grown in E. coli strain HB101, as described above, was employed as the source of the gag-encoding DNA. The DNA
was inoculated into the TA muscle of one leg. One group of mice was not further treated, one group was treated with iontophoresis and another with electroporation.
Sera from mice were analyzed for anti-gag antibody titer at 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after inoculation. The data are shown in Figure 2. In Figure 2, data are plotted as geometric mean ELISA titer and error bars indicate SEM. At all time points tested, antibody titers in mice that had been subjected to iontophoresis and electroporation were 8- to 20-fold higher than in animals receiving no further treatment (Figure 2).
As with luciferase expression levels, in general, electroporation conditions appeared slightly superior to iontophoresis for enhancement of antibody responses.
The data indicate a pronounced enhancement of antibody response in animals subjected to electroporation and iontophoresis, relative to the response of control animals.
Example 6 Effect Of Vaccine Boosting On Antibody Responses In Mammals In order to demonstrate the effect of vaccine boosting on antibody responses in mammals, groups of 6 CB6 F 1 mice were inoculated with 10 pg of DNA encoding the HIV gag protein. Inoculation was into the TA muscle of one leg of the animals at 3 and 6 weeks. One group of mice was not further treated (Figure 3, open bars), one group was treated with iontophoresis (Figure 3, solid bars) and another with electroporation (Figure 3, shaded bars). Sera were collected at 3 weeks after each immunization and analyzed for antibody responses.
Data are plotted as geometric mean ELISA titer and error bars indicate SEM.
Antibody titers were elevated in all groups after the booster injection, but the approximately 10-fold enhancement in titers observed in mice receiving electric current was maintained even after the boost (Figure 3).
Example 7 Effect Of Conditions Of Iontophoresis And Electrophoresis On Antibody Responses In Mammals In order to demonstrate the effect of the conditions of iontophoresis and electroporation on mammalian antibody responses, groups of 6 CB6 F1 mice were inoculated with 10 p.g of HIV gag DNA (obtained as described above) in the TA
muscle of one leg at 3 weeks. Groups of mice were treated as indicated in Table 3.
Sera were collected at 3 weeks and analyzed for antibody responses. In Table 3, data are tabulated as geometric mean ELISA titer and as fold increase over titers achieved in vaccinated but untreated mice. The results show that enhancement of DNA vaccine potency is achieved across a wide range of conditions.
Table 3 Treatment ConditionsNumber DurationGeometric Fold of Pulses (cosec) Mean Titer Increase DNA control- - - 414 1 Ionto 50 mA 60 10 1071 2.59 Ionto 50 mA 10 10 2521 6.09 Ionto 50 mA 10 50 1738 4.20 Ionto 100 mA 10 10 1876 4.53 Ionto 100 mA 10 50 2293 5.54 Electro 25 V/cm 10 10 479 1.16 Electro 50 V/cm 10 10 1099 2.65 Electro 50 V/cm 10 50 2390 5.77 Electro 100 V/cm 10 SO 1800 4.35 Electro 200 V/cm 10 10 2208 5.33 Electro 200 V/cm 10 50 2079 5.02 Electro 300 V/cm 10 10 2834 6.85 Electro 400 V/cm 10 10 1359 3.28 Example 8 Efficacy Of Intradermal Administration Of Iontophoresis And Electroporation In Mammals.
In order to assess the efficacy of intradermal administration of iontophoresis and electroporation in mammals, groups of 6 CB6 F1 mice were inoculated with 10 ~g of HIV gag DNA intradermally on the backs. One group of mice was not further treated (DNA control), one group was treated with iontophoresis and another with electroporation at the conditions indicated in Table 4. Sera were collected at 3 weeks after immunization and analyzed for antibody responses. In Table 4, data are tabulated as geometric mean ELISA titer and fold increase over titers achieved in vaccinated but untreated mice. As shown, electroporation and iontophoresis are also effective for the intradermal route of administration of DNA vaccines.
Table 4 Treatment ConditionsNumber Duration Geometric Fold of Pulses (cosec) Mean Increase DNA control- - - 472 1 Ionto 50 mA 60 10 696 1.47 Ionto 50 mA 10 10 1291 2.74 ~
Ionto 50 mA 10 50 626 1.33 Ionto 100 mA 10 10 2376 5.03 Ionto 100 mA 10 50 1134 2.40 Electro 150 V/cm 10 10 2768 5.86 Electro 300 V/cm 10 10 851 1.80 Electro 450 V/cm 10 10 132 0.28 Electro 600 V/cm 10 10 887 1.88 Electro 750 V/cm 10 10 480 1.02 Electro 75 V/cm 10 50 224 0.47 Electro 150 V/cm 10 50 728 1.54 Electro 225 V/cm 10 50 2202 4.67 Electro 300 V/cm 10 50 6125 12.98 Electro 375 V/cm 10 50 937 1.99 Example 9 Efficacy Of Plate Electrode For Iontophoresis And Electroporation In Mammals In order to demonstrate the efficacy of employing a plate electrode for iontophoresis and electroporation in mammals, groups of 6 CB6 Fl mice were inoculated with 10 pg of HIV gag DNA in the TA muscle of one leg. Groups of mice were treated as indicated in Table 5. The combination needle and plate electrode system consists of 3 electrically conducting components, plus electrical leads for connections, and a holder apparatus. Two of the electrically conductive components represent needle electrodes, of the same polarity (typically negative).
These needle electrodes are fabricated of stainless steel (cylindrical, grade 316).
Needle lengths were 3mm. The needles were encapsulated within insulation, and were retained in the electrode assembly, surrounded by the plate electrode.
The plate electrode consisted of a stainless steel block, with dimensions of 1 x 1 x 1 cm. The needle electrodes extended through the plate electrode, with approximately 3 mm length extending beyond the surface of the electrode.
Insulation around the needle prevented passage of electric current from the needle directly to the plate electrode. For in vivo application, the electric current path was from the power source through the connector cable to the needle electrodes.
Electric current was then transmitted from the end of the needle electrodes through biological tissue, to the plate electrode, and thus through a connecting cable to the power source, completing the circuit. The shortest electrically conductive path through tissue is approximately 2.5 mm. This is accounted for by the 2 mm of insulated needle electrode extending above the plate electrode, and the diameter of the holes through the plate electrode, through which the needle electrodes extend.
The electrode assembly was used to deliver a series of electrical energy pulses in either constant voltage (electroporation) or a constant current (iontophoresis) mode.
Sera were collected at 6 weeks and analyzed for antibody responses. One group of mice was not further treated (DNA control). Other groups were treated with iontophoresis and electroporation at the indicated conditions. In Table 5, data are tabulated as geometric mean ELISA titer and fold increase over titers achieved in vaccinated but untreated mice. The results indicate that a significant increase in antibody titer could be obtained using the needle and plate electrode system to deliver current for electroporation or iontophoresis.
Table 5 Treatment ConditionsNumber Duration Geometric Fold of (cosec) Mean Increase Pulses DNA control- - - 198 1 Ionto 50 mA 10 10 1596 8.06 Ionto 100 mA 10 10 1235 6.24 Electro 200 V/cm 10 10 1411 7.13 Electro 300 V/cm 10 10 1252 6.32 Example 10 Efficacy Of Electroporation On Anti-HIV Gag Antibody Responses in Mammals In order to demonstrate the efficacy of electroporation on the anti-HIV gag antibody response of mammals, groups of 4-6 New Zealand white rabbits were inoculated with a combination DNA vaccine consisting of S00 pg of DNA
encoding the HIV gag protein and 1 mg of DNA encoding the HIV env protein.
The plasmid pCMV HIV gag was used as the source of the gag- encoding DNA.
Plasmid pCMV HIV env was employed as the source of the env-encoding DNA.
The plasmid expresses high levels of HN-1 env, due to a potent CMV promoter with intron A and a codon-optimized env-encoding region (see U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/168,471, filed December l, 1999).
Inoculations were into the hind leg gracilis muscles at 0, 6 and 12 weeks.
One group of rabbits received DNA without further treatment (DNA control).
Other groups were treated with electroporation with a 6-needle electrode or a needle electrode. The two-needle array electrodes (BTX) were inserted into the muscle immediately after DNA delivery for electroporation. The distance between the electrodes was 5 mm and the array was inserted longitudinally relative to the muscle fibers. In vivo electroporation parameters were: 20V/mm distance between the electrodes, 50 msec pulse length, 6 pulses with reversal of polarity after three pulses, at 1 pulse per second, given by a BTX 820 square wave generator. The electroporation with a 6-needle electrode array formed a circle (Genetronics, Inc.).
The diameter of the electrode array was 1 cm, with a needle length of 1 cm.
Six electroporation pulses of 20V/mm, 50 msec pulse length, one pulse per second were given by a BTX 820 square wave generator, combined with an electronic switch (Genetronics, Inc.) to rotate the electric field in 60 degree increments after each discharge (Hofmann et al. (1996) IEEE Engineer. Med. Biol. 15:124-132).
At 26 weeks, all rabbits were boosted with recombinant gag protein and sera were collected at 2 weeks post-protein boost and analyzed for anti-gag antibody responses. Anti-HIV gag antibodies were measured by ELISA as follows.
Wells of Immulon 2 HB "U" bottom microtiter plates (Dynex Technologies, Chantilly, VA) were coated with HIV p55 protein at S~g/ml in PBS, 50 pl per well, and incubated at 4°C overnight. The plates were washed 6X with wash buffer [PBS, 0.1 % Tween 20 (Sigma, St. Louis, MO)] and blocked at 37°C for 1 hour with 150p1/well blocking buffer [PBS, 0.5% casein, and 5% goat serum]; the dilution buffer was blocking buffer plus 0.3% Tween 20. The secondary antibody was goat anti-rabbit IgG used at 1/20,000; and the OD cutoff used was 0.6.
Test sera were diluted 1/25 followed by serial 3-fold dilutions in blocking buffer.
The blocking buffer was aspirated and the plates were incubated at 37°C for 2 hours with 50~1/well of each dilution. After washing 6 times, the plates were incubated for 1 hour at 37°C with 50~1/well of Goat anti-mouse IgG-HRP (Caltag, Burlingame, CA) diluted 1/40,000 in blocking buffer. Following a final 6 washes, the plates were developed with OPD for 30min. The OPD developer consists of 1 tablet (10 mg) o-phenylenediamine; 12 ml buffer (O.1M citric acid, O.1M
dibasic sodium phosphate), 5p130% H20z. The reaction was stopped with 50p1 per well 4N H2S04 and optical density was measured at dual wavelengths 492-690. The reported titers correspond to the reciprocal of the serum dilution producing an absorbance value of 1Ø
For measurement of anti-env antibodies in rabbits and guinea pigs, Nunc Immunoplate U96 Maxisorp plates (Nalge Nunc International, Rochester, NY) were coated with 200ng per well of recombinant gp 120SF2 protein and incubated for at least 14 hours at 4°C. Between steps, the plates were washed in a buffer containing 137mM NaCI and 0.05% Triton X100. Serum samples were initially diluted 1:25 or 1:100 (in a buffer containing 100mM NaPO~, 0.1% Casein, 1mM
EDTA, 1% Triton X-100, 0.5M NaCI and 0.01% Thimerosal, pH 7.5) and were serially diluted 3-fold. The plates were incubated for 50 minutes. After washing in a buffer containing 137mM NaCI, 0.05% Triton X-100, the samples were then reacted with an HRP-conjugated second antibody. The plates were then developed using a TMB substrate kit (Pierce, Rockford, IL). The plates were stopped with either 2N HZS04 or 10% SDS, respectively and read at wavelengths of 450nm or 415nm, respectively. Anti-env antibody responses were measured as the dilution at which an OD of 0.6 was achieved.
The data is shown in Figure 4, and indicates that electroporation was effective in enhancing the induced immune response. In Figure 4, data are plotted as geometric mean ELISA titer and error bars indicate SEM.
Example 11 Efficacy Of Electroporation On Anti-HIV Env Antibody Responses in Mammals As a further demonstration of the efficacy of electroporation on the antibody response of mammals, groups of 4 New Zealand white rabbits were inoculated with a combination DNA vaccine consisting of 500 ~.g of HIV gag-encoding DNA and 1 mg of HIV env-encoding DNA (obtained as described above) in the hind leg muscles at 0 and 6 weeks. One group of rabbits received DNA
without further treatment and one group was treated with electroporation with a 6-needle electrode as described above. Sera were collected at 2 weeks post the second DNA immunization and analyzed for anti-env antibody responses. The data are shown in Table 6. In Table 6, data are tabulated as individual ELISA
titers, geometric mean ELISA titers (GMT) and fold increase over titers achieved in vaccinated but untreated rabbits. The data show a pronounced enhancement of antibody titer in animals subjected to electroporation.
Table 6 Geometric Fold ConditionsTiter Mean Titer Increase control 141 6-needle 762 833 18.93 Electro 821 It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It will be additionally apparent to those skilled in the art that the basic construction of the present invention is intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of this invention is to be defined by the claims appended hereto, rather than the specific embodiments which have been presented as examples. All references and documents cited herein are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
Claims (45)
1. A method of enhancing an immune response generated in an animal comprising the steps of:
(A) administering to the animal DNA encoding one or more immunogen of interest; and (B) applying an electric field to at least the site of such DNA
administration.
(A) administering to the animal DNA encoding one or more immunogen of interest; and (B) applying an electric field to at least the site of such DNA
administration.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said immune response comprises enhanced production of antibody specifically reactive with said immunogen.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein said immune response comprises enhanced production of lymphocytes that produce antibody specifically reactive with said immunogen.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein said animal is a mammal.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein said mammal is selected from the group consisting of a cat, a dog, a horse, a human, a rabbit and a rodent.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein said mammal is a human.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein said immunogen is a protein or peptide of a pathogen.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein said pathogen is selected from the group consisting of a bacterium, a fungus, a yeast, a protozoan, and a virus.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein said pathogen is a bacterium selected from the group consisting of an enteric bacterium, a Clostridrium, a Vibrio, a Nocardia, a Corynebacterium, a Listeria, a Legionella, a Bacilli, a Staphylococcus, a Streptococci, a Borrelia, a Mycobacterium, a Neisserium and a Trepanoma bacterium.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein said pathogen is a fungus selected from the group consisting of a Dermatophyte, a Pneumocystis, a Trypanosoma, a Plasmodium, a Candida, a Cryptococcus, a Histoplasma, a Coccidioide, an Amoeba and a Schistosome.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein said pathogen is a virus selected from the group consisting of a parvovirus, an orthomyxovirus, a paramyxovirus, a picornavirus, a papovirus, a herpesvirus, a togavirus, and a retrovirus.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein said pathogen is the retrovirus HIV.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the DNA administered in step (A) encodes one or more HIV protein or peptide.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein said HIV protein or peptide is the HIV
gag protein or a peptide fragment thereof.
gag protein or a peptide fragment thereof.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein said DNA administered in step (A) comprises a codon-optimized gag-encoding region.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein said HIV protein or peptide is the HIV
env protein or a peptide fragment thereof.
env protein or a peptide fragment thereof.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein said DNA administered in step (A) comprises a codon-optimized env-encoding region.
18. The method of claim 13, wherein said DNA administered in step (A) encodes both (a) an HIV gag protein or a peptide fragment thereof and (b) an HIV env protein or a peptide fragment thereof.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein said DNA administered in step (A) comprises a codon-optimized gag-encoding region and a codon-optimized env-encoding region.
20. The method of claim 1, wherein said DNA encoding one or more immunogen of interest is administered to said animal incorporated in a plasmid form.
21. The method of claim 1, wherein said DNA encoding one or more immunogen of interest is administered to said animal associated with protein or lipid.
22. The method of claim 1, wherein said DNA is administered to said animal by intramuscular or intradermal injection.
23. The method of claim 1, wherein in step (B) said electrical field is applied under electroporation conditions.
24. The method of claim 1, wherein in step (B) said electrical field is applied under iontophoresis conditions.
25. The method of claim 1, wherein said DNA is administered using a device selected from the group consisting of a single needle probe, a bipolar probe and a combination needle and plate probe.
26. An apparatus for enhancing an immune response in an animal comprising:
(A) DNA encoding one or more immunogen of interest;
(B) means for administering said DNA to said animal; and (C) means for applying an electric field to at least the site of such DNA
administration.
(A) DNA encoding one or more immunogen of interest;
(B) means for administering said DNA to said animal; and (C) means for applying an electric field to at least the site of such DNA
administration.
27. The apparatus method of claim 26, wherein said immunogen is a protein or peptide of a pathogen.
28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said pathogen is selected from the group consisting of a bacterium, a fungus, a yeast, a protozoan, and a virus.
29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said pathogen is a bacterium selected from the group consisting of an enteric bacterium, a Clostridrium, a Vibrio, a Nocardia, a Corynebacterium, a Listeria, a Legionella, a Bacilli, a Staphylococcus, a Streptococci, a Borrelia, a Mycobacterium, a Neisserium and a Trepanoma bacterium.
30. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said pathogen is a fungus selected from the group consisting of a Dermatophyte, a Pneumocystis, a Trypanosoma, a Plasmodium, a Candida, a Cryptococcus, a Histoplasma, a Coccidioide, an Amoeba and a Schistosome.
31. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said pathogen is a virus selected from the group consisting of a parvovirus, an orthomyxovirus, a paramyxovirus, a picornavirus, a papovirus, a herpesvirus, a togavirus, and a retrovirus.
32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said pathogen is the retrovirus HIV.
33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the DNA administered in step (A) encodes one or more HIV protein or peptide.
34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein said HIV protein or peptide is the HIV
gag protein or a peptide fragment thereof.
gag protein or a peptide fragment thereof.
35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein said DNA administered in step (A) comprises a codon-optimized gag-encoding region.
36. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein said HIV protein or peptide is the HIV
env protein or a peptide fragment thereof.
env protein or a peptide fragment thereof.
37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein said DNA administered in step (A) comprises a codon-optimized env-encoding region.
38. encodes both (a) an HIV gag protein or a peptide fragment thereof and (b) an HIV env protein or a peptide fragment thereof.
39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein said DNA administered in step (A) comprises a codon-optimized gag-encoding region and a codon-optimized env-encoding region.
40. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said DNA encoding said one or more immunogens of interest is incorporated in a plasmid form.
41. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said DNA encoding one or more immunogen of interest is associated with protein or lipid.
42. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said means for administering said DNA
to said animal accomplishes intramuscular or intradermal administration of said DNA.
to said animal accomplishes intramuscular or intradermal administration of said DNA.
43. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said electrical field is produced under electroporation conditions.
44. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said electrical field is produced under iontophoresis conditions.
45. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said means for administering said DNA
is a device selected from the group consisting of a single needle probe, a bipolar probe and a combination needle and plate probe.
is a device selected from the group consisting of a single needle probe, a bipolar probe and a combination needle and plate probe.
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11899699P | 1999-02-08 | 1999-02-08 | |
US60/118,996 | 1999-02-08 | ||
US12918999P | 1999-04-14 | 1999-04-14 | |
US60/129,189 | 1999-04-14 | ||
PCT/US2000/002831 WO2000045823A1 (en) | 1999-02-08 | 2000-02-07 | Electrically-mediated enhancement of dna vaccine immunity and efficacy in vivo |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
CA2361601A1 true CA2361601A1 (en) | 2000-08-10 |
Family
ID=26816956
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
CA002361601A Abandoned CA2361601A1 (en) | 1999-02-08 | 2000-02-07 | Electrically-mediated enhancement of dna vaccine immunity and efficacy in vivo |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1148885A4 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2868200A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2361601A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2000045823A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (20)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6261281B1 (en) | 1997-04-03 | 2001-07-17 | Electrofect As | Method for genetic immunization and introduction of molecules into skeletal muscle and immune cells |
US6562346B1 (en) | 1999-10-27 | 2003-05-13 | Chiron Corporation | Activation of HCV-specific T cells |
WO2003051454A2 (en) * | 2001-12-14 | 2003-06-26 | Genetronics, Inc. | Methods for particle-assisted polynucleotide immunization using a pulsed electric field |
US7245963B2 (en) | 2002-03-07 | 2007-07-17 | Advisys, Inc. | Electrode assembly for constant-current electroporation and use |
AR038744A1 (en) * | 2002-03-07 | 2005-01-26 | Advisys Inc | ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY FOR CONSTANT CURRENT ELECTROPORATION AND ITS USE |
US8209006B2 (en) | 2002-03-07 | 2012-06-26 | Vgx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | Constant current electroporation device and methods of use |
US7261882B2 (en) | 2003-06-23 | 2007-08-28 | Reagents Of The University Of Colorado | Methods for treating neuropathic pain by administering IL-10 polypeptides |
WO2006055729A1 (en) * | 2004-11-16 | 2006-05-26 | Transcutaneous Technologies Inc. | Iontophoretic device and method for administering immune response-enhancing agents and compositions |
EP2816118B1 (en) | 2005-05-31 | 2018-10-17 | The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate | Methods for delivering genes |
JP5215865B2 (en) | 2005-11-22 | 2013-06-19 | ノバルティス ヴァクシンズ アンド ダイアグノスティクス インコーポレイテッド | Norovirus and sapovirus antigens |
JP5646851B2 (en) * | 2006-11-17 | 2014-12-24 | ジェネトロニクス,インコーポレイティド | Method for enhancing immune response using electroporation-assisted vaccine administration and booster administration |
US8586055B2 (en) | 2007-01-12 | 2013-11-19 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Department Of Health And Human Services | DNA immunization protocols |
WO2009022236A2 (en) | 2007-08-16 | 2009-02-19 | Tripep Ab | Immunogen platform |
CA2708668C (en) * | 2008-01-11 | 2019-03-05 | Vgx Pharmaceuticals, Llc | Vaccines against multiple subtypes of dengue virus |
WO2012106281A2 (en) | 2011-01-31 | 2012-08-09 | The General Hospital Corporation | Multimodal trail molecules and uses in cellular therapies |
EP2890720B1 (en) | 2012-08-30 | 2019-07-17 | The General Hospital Corporation | Compositions and methods for treating cancer |
AU2014233428B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2019-09-19 | Loma Linda University | Treatment of autoimmune diseases |
AU2014268603B2 (en) | 2013-05-21 | 2018-03-22 | President And Fellows Of Harvard College | Engineered heme-binding compositions and uses thereof |
US20180112006A1 (en) | 2015-04-17 | 2018-04-26 | The General Hospital Corporation | Agents, systems and methods for treating cancer |
EP3893986A4 (en) | 2018-12-13 | 2022-08-24 | NewSouth Innovations Pty Limited | Method and system for controlling molecular electrotransfer |
Family Cites Families (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5749847A (en) * | 1988-01-21 | 1998-05-12 | Massachusetts Institute Of Technology | Delivery of nucleotides into organisms by electroporation |
DK0438078T3 (en) * | 1990-01-15 | 1996-10-21 | Cino Rossi | iontophoresis device |
US5593972A (en) * | 1993-01-26 | 1997-01-14 | The Wistar Institute | Genetic immunization |
US5830877A (en) * | 1993-08-26 | 1998-11-03 | The Regents Of The University Of California | Method, compositions and devices for administration of naked polynucleotides which encode antigens and immunostimulatory |
US5786464C1 (en) * | 1994-09-19 | 2012-04-24 | Gen Hospital Corp | Overexpression of mammalian and viral proteins |
EA002087B1 (en) * | 1997-04-03 | 2001-12-24 | Электрофект Ас | Method for introducing pharmaceutical drugs and nucleic acids into skeletal muscle |
JP2002515816A (en) * | 1997-06-30 | 2002-05-28 | アバンテイス・フアルマ・エス・アー | Apparatus for optimally introducing a nucleic acid vector into an in vivo tissue |
BR9810372A (en) * | 1997-06-30 | 2000-09-05 | Rhone Poulenc Rorer Sa | Nucleic acid transfer process into cells of multicellular eukaryotic organisms in vivo, composition, nucleic acid and electric field, and, combination product |
EP0932427A1 (en) * | 1997-07-22 | 1999-08-04 | Emed Corporation | Needle for iontophoretic delivery of agent |
WO1999036563A1 (en) * | 1998-01-14 | 1999-07-22 | Emed Corporation | Electrically mediated cellular expression |
-
2000
- 2000-02-07 AU AU28682/00A patent/AU2868200A/en not_active Abandoned
- 2000-02-07 CA CA002361601A patent/CA2361601A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2000-02-07 EP EP00907132A patent/EP1148885A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2000-02-07 WO PCT/US2000/002831 patent/WO2000045823A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1148885A4 (en) | 2002-05-08 |
WO2000045823A9 (en) | 2001-10-11 |
EP1148885A1 (en) | 2001-10-31 |
AU2868200A (en) | 2000-08-25 |
WO2000045823A1 (en) | 2000-08-10 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
CA2361601A1 (en) | Electrically-mediated enhancement of dna vaccine immunity and efficacy in vivo | |
US10653880B2 (en) | Apparatus for generating electrical pulses and methods of using the same | |
US6261281B1 (en) | Method for genetic immunization and introduction of molecules into skeletal muscle and immune cells | |
US6110161A (en) | Method for introducing pharmaceutical drugs and nucleic acids into skeletal muscle | |
Selby et al. | Enhancement of DNA vaccine potency by electroporation in vivo | |
Bolhassani et al. | Electroporation-advantages and drawbacks for delivery of drug, gene and vaccine | |
Connolly et al. | Enhancement of antigen specific humoral immune responses after delivery of a DNA plasmid based vaccine through a contact-independent helium plasma | |
JP5165567B2 (en) | Electrical introduction of nucleic acids into tissue cells | |
US20050004055A1 (en) | Increasing electro-gene transfer of nucleic acid molecules into host tissue | |
MacLaughlin et al. | Device-mediated gene delivery: a review |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
FZDE | Discontinued |