DNA VACCINATION AS EAE IMMUNOTHERAPY

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Vaccination was initiated empirically 200 years ago by Jenner and consolidated conceptually 100 years ago by Pasteur, and the procedure still provides surprises. Among the latest is vaccination with DNA. A particular variable region gene of the T cell receptor, Vbeta8.2, is rearranged and its product is expressed on pathogenic T cells that induce experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and its product is expressed on pathogenic T cells that induce experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in H-2/u mice following immunization with myelin basic protein (MBP). Vaccination of H-2/u mice with naked DNA pathogenic portion of the MBP molecule, indicated in the vaccinated mice there was a reversal of the autoimmune response from Th2 to Th2. This shift may make this approach attractive for treatment of recently of Th1 mediated diseases like multiple sclerosis, juvenile diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. We have recently extended this approach to the treatment of autoimmune diseases with altered peptide ligands. In this portion of the program project proposal, we aim to: 1. Extend studies on the mechanism whereby DNA vaccination with TCR Vb constructs induces Th2 responses and suppresses EAE. 2. Test vaccination with DNA minigens encoding myelin epitopes for peptide- and APL-based treatment of EAE. 3. Investigate bacterial CpG sequences inducing gamma interferon and IL- 12, and their application for suppression of EAE. 4. Utilize DNA vaccination to chemokines for treatment of EAE. 5. Develop tandem cytokine and chemokine constructs for treatment of EAE.