Evaluation of CpG-ODN-Adjuvanted Toxoplasma gondii Virus-Like Particle Vaccine upon One, Two, and Three Immunizations
PHARMACEUTICS
Authors: Kang, Hae-Ji; Chu, Ki-Back; Kim, Min-Ju; Park, Hyunwoo; Jin, Hui; Lee, Su-Hwa; Moon, Eun-Kyung; Quan, Fu-Shi
Abstract
Successful vaccines against specific pathogens often require multiple immunizations and adjuvant usage. Yet, assessing the protective efficacy of different immunization regimens with adjuvanted Toxoplasma gondii vaccines remains elusive. In this study, we investigated the vaccine efficacy induced by CpG-ODN-adjuvanted T. gondii virus-like particles (VLPs) after challenge infection with T. gondii (ME49) in mice (BALB/c) upon one, two, and three immunizations. Immunization with adjuvanted T. gondii VLPs induced higher levels of T. gondii-specific IgG and/or IgA antibody responses, germinal center (GC) B cells, total B cells, and CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells compared with unadjuvanted VLPs. Increasing the number of immunizations was strongly correlated with enhanced protective immunity against T. gondii in mice, with the highest protection being demonstrated in mice thrice-immunized with either adjuvanted T. gondii VLPs or VLPs alone. Notably, lesser bodyweight reductions and cerebral cyst counts were observed in mice receiving multiple immunizations with the adjuvanted VLPs, thereby confirming the effectiveness of adjuvanted boost immunizations. These results demonstrated that multiple immunizations with T. gondii VLPs is an effective approach, and the CpG-ODN can be developed as an effective adjuvant for T. gondii VLP vaccines.
Efficacy, Safety, and Immunomodulatory Effect of the Intramuscular Administration of Autologous Total Immunoglobulin G for Atopic Dermatitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial
ALLERGY ASTHMA & IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH
Authors: Dong-Ho Nahm; Ye, Young-Min; Shin, Yoo Seob; Park, Hae-Sim; Kim, Myoung-Eun; Kwon, Byul; Cho, Su-Mi; Han, Jinjoo
Abstract
Purpose: The management of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) is often difficult. We hypothesized that repeated intramuscular administration of autologous total immunoglobulin G (IgG) could induce clinical improvement in patients with AD through immune modulation. This clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and immunomodulatory effect of the intramuscular administration of autologous total IgG in patients with AD. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 51 adolescent and adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD were randomized to receive 8 weekly intramuscular administrations of autologous total IgG 50 mg (n = 26) or saline (n = 25) over a 7-week period and were followed up to week 16. Changes in the clinical severity score (Eczema Area and Severity Index), affected body surface area, patient-reported Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score, laboratory biomarkers, and incidence of adverse events from baseline to week 16 were assessed. Results: The intramuscular administration of autologous total IgG, compared with saline, decreased the clinical severity score (-64.8% vs. -20.3%, P < 0.001), reduced the affected body surface area (-53.9% vs. -19.1%, P < 0.001), improved the DLQI score (-35.4% vs. -14.4%, P = 0.015), increased serum interleukin-10 and interferon-. levels ( P = 0.011 and P = 0.003, respectively), and reduced the incidence of AD exacerbation (11.5% vs. 48.0%, P = 0.004) from baseline to week 16. No serious adverse events were observed. Conclusions: The intramuscular administration of autologous total IgG provided clinical improvements and a systemic immunomodulatory effect in adolescent and adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD without significant side effects.