Adsorption to aluminum hydroxide promotes the activity of IL-12 as an adjuvant for antibody as well as type 1 cytokine responses to HIV-1 gp120
Jankovic, D.; Caspar, P.; Zweig, M.; Garcia-Moll, M.; Showalter, S.D.; Vogel, F.R.; Sher, A.
Journal of Immunology 159(5): 2409-2417
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-1767 PMID: 9278332 Document Number: 480498
In the present study the use of IL-12 was evaluated as an adjuvant for promoting both humoral and cell-mediated immunity to recombinant HIV-1 gp120, a molecule previously shown to be weakly immunogenic in mice in the absence of adjuvant. HIV envelope glycoproteins are under consideration as a component of candidate vaccines for preventing AIDS and can serve as targets for both antibody- and CTL-dependent effector mechanisms. It is shown here that IL-12 can serve as an effective adjuvant for simultaneously enhancing both humoral and type 1 cytokine responses to gp120. It appears, however, that optimal immunization in this situation depends on the route of administration of IL-12 as well as the combined formulation of the cytokine and antigen with alum. The IL-12 vaccination protocol described may have general applicability in boosting responses to weakly immunogenic protein antigen.