Conclusions
A superior immune type I response in mice vaccinated with plasmid Ag85A-IL-15 has been achieved.
Results
C57BL/6 mice were intramuscularly immunized three times with a plasmid expressing the Ag85A-IL-15 fusion protein (pcDNA3.1-Ag85A-IL-15), with the empty pcDNA3.1 vector and the pcDNA3.1-Ag85A as control. Mice vaccinated with pcDNA3.1-Ag85A-IL-15 generated more secretory IgA (sIgA) into their lung (209 ± 21 μg/ml) and acquired an enhanced serum IgG response to Ag85A. IgG2a/IgG1 ratios were upregulated, natural killer cell activity was augmented and Ag85A-specific splenic T cell proliferation was enhanced in these mice as well. Vaccination with pcDNA3.1-Ag85A-IL-15 promoted the polarization of CD4+ T cells towards a Th1 type in the spleen, and significantly upregulated the serum level of interferon (IFN)-γ (458 ± 98 pg/ml), a typical Th1 cytokine. IFN-γ-expressing CD8+ cells were also increased in the spleen after pcDNA3.1-Ag85A-IL-15 immunization. Conclusions: A superior immune type I response in mice vaccinated with plasmid Ag85A-IL-15 has been achieved.