Co-administration of a CpG adjuvant (VaxImmune, CPG 7909) with CETP vaccines increased immunogenicity in rabbits and mice

Hum Vaccin. 2009 Feb;5(2):79-84. doi: 10.4161/hv.5.2.6521. Epub 2009 Mar 1.

Abstract

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) is a plasma glycoprotein that facilitates the transfer of neutral lipids and phospholipids between lipoproteins and contributes to the regulation of the plasma concentration of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Vaccines have been developed that elicit antibodies that bind to and reduce the lipid transfer function of CETP as a way to increase the plasma concentration of HDL-C and prevent or treat atherosclerosis. This study assessed the immunogenicity of two vaccine peptides. The first, CETi-1, is a dimerized synthetic peptide, including residues 461-476 of human CETP and residues 830-843 of tetanus toxoid, TT(830-843). The second, PADRE-CETP, is a monomeric peptide, in which a PADRE T cell epitope (aK-Cha-VAAWTLKAa) replaces the TT(830-843) T cell epitope of CETi-1. Both peptides were formulated with aluminum-containing adjuvants (Alhydrogel), and tested in mice and rabbits with or without the co-administration of the investigational TLR9 agonist VaxImmune (CPG 7909). In both mice and rabbits, the vaccine peptide utilizing the PADRE T cell epitope elicited stronger anti-CETP antibody responses than the CETi-1 vaccine. Also, co-administration of VaxImmune enhanced the anti-CETP antibody responses to both vaccines. Isotype analysis of the murine anti-CETP antibody response to both vaccines demonstrated a switch from IgG1 to IgG2a upon co-administration of VaxImmune. We conclude that (1) the PADRE T cell epitope is more potent than the TT(830-843) epitope in providing help for the anti-CETP antibody response; and (2) co-administration of VaxImmune with either vaccine increased immunogenicity as measured by antibody response.

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / administration & dosage*
  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / pharmacology
  • Aluminum Hydroxide / administration & dosage
  • Aluminum Hydroxide / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Antibodies / blood
  • Atherosclerosis / prevention & control*
  • Atherosclerosis / therapy*
  • Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins / immunology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / administration & dosage*
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / pharmacology
  • Rabbits
  • Vaccines, Subunit / immunology

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Antibodies
  • CETP protein, human
  • Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides
  • ProMune
  • Vaccines, Subunit
  • Aluminum Hydroxide