Efficient post-exposure prophylaxis against rabies by applying a four-dose DNA vaccine intranasally

Vaccine. 2008 Dec 9;26(52):6936-44. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.09.083. Epub 2008 Oct 20.

Abstract

We tested two post-exposure prophylaxes (PEPs) for rabies in laboratory animals; one was a traditional antirabies vaccine for humans via intramuscular route (IM), and the other was a DNA vaccine administered by intranasal route (IN). In contrast to The World Health Organization's recommended five-dose PEP, we gave only four doses without hyper-immune antirabies sera, making the PEP more rigorous. All animals were challenged with challenge virus strain (CVS); 16h later, PEP was applied. All animals that received the PEP with DNA/IN survived, and 87% of the rabbits and 80% of the mice that received the PEP with traditional antirabies vaccine/IM survived. Negative controls succumbed to infection. The expression of G protein was detected in the NALT, cerebellum, cerebral cortex (neocortex), cerebellum and hippocampus, mainly in the glial cells (microglia) and microvessels. On the other hand, plasmid construct was detected in brain and its mRNA expression in medium and posterior encephalon. The efficiency of this DNA/IN PEP is probably due to the early expression of the antigen in the brain stimulating the immune system locally.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intranasal
  • Animals
  • Brain / immunology
  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain / virology
  • Cell Line
  • Coloring Agents
  • Cricetinae
  • DNA, Complementary / biosynthesis
  • DNA, Complementary / genetics
  • Eosine Yellowish-(YS)
  • Female
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / immunology
  • Hematoxylin
  • Immunization Schedule
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Neutralization Tests
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • RNA, Viral / immunology
  • Rabbits
  • Rabies / prevention & control*
  • Rabies Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Rabies Vaccines / immunology
  • Rabies Vaccines / therapeutic use*
  • Rabies virus / genetics
  • Rabies virus / immunology
  • Vaccines, DNA / administration & dosage
  • Vaccines, DNA / immunology
  • Vaccines, DNA / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Coloring Agents
  • DNA, Complementary
  • RNA, Viral
  • Rabies Vaccines
  • Vaccines, DNA
  • GTP-Binding Proteins
  • Eosine Yellowish-(YS)
  • Hematoxylin