Abstract
We investigated the ability of a novel polyphosphazene polyelectrolyte, poly[di(sodium carboxylatoethylphenoxy)phosphazene] (PCEP) to enhance antigen-specific immune responses. BALB/c mice were immunized once subcutaneously with either bovine serum albumin (BSA) or influenza virus X:31 antigen alone, or in combination with PCEP, or either of the adjuvants poly[di(sodium carboxylatophenoxy)phosphazene] (PCPP) and alum. Both PCEP and PCPP significantly enhanced serum antigen-specific total IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a antibody titers, and these responses were highest in PCEP-immunized mice. Alum induced only a modest enhancement of antibody responses. Reducing the dose of X:31 antigen by 25-fold had no effect on antibody responses in mice immunized with PCPP and PCEP, but resulted in reduced titers in those immunized with alum. Analysis of X:31 antigen-specific cytokines revealed that alum and PCPP were associated with a predominantly IL-4 response. In contrast, PCEP was associated with production of both IFNgamma and IL-4. We conclude that PCEP is a potent enhancer of antigen-specific Th1 and Th2 immune responses and is a promising adjuvant for vaccine applications.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Adjuvants, Immunologic / chemical synthesis
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Adjuvants, Immunologic / pharmacology*
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Alum Compounds / pharmacology
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Animals
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Antibodies, Viral / analysis
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Antibodies, Viral / biosynthesis
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Antibody Specificity
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Antigens, Viral / immunology*
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Antigens, Viral / isolation & purification
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Cytokines / biosynthesis
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Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic
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Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
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Immunity, Cellular / drug effects*
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Immunoglobulin G / analysis
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Immunoglobulin G / biosynthesis
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Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype / immunology
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Influenza Vaccines / immunology*
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Neutralization Tests
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Phenylpropionates / chemical synthesis
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Phenylpropionates / pharmacology*
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Polymers / chemical synthesis
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Polymers / pharmacology*
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Serum Albumin, Bovine / immunology
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Spleen / cytology
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Spleen / immunology
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Spleen / metabolism
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Th1 Cells / immunology*
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Th2 Cells / immunology*
Substances
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Adjuvants, Immunologic
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Alum Compounds
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Antibodies, Viral
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Antigens, Viral
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Cytokines
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Immunoglobulin G
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Influenza Vaccines
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Phenylpropionates
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Polymers
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poly(bis(carboxylatoethylphenoxy)phosphazene)
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polybis(carbophenoxypropane)
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Serum Albumin, Bovine
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aluminum sulfate