DNA vaccines encoding IL-2 linked to HPV-16 E7 antigen generate enhanced E7-specific CTL responses and antitumor activity

Cheng Tao Lin, Ya Chea Tsai, Liangmei He, Chun Nan Yeh, Ting Chang Chang, Yung Kuei Soong, Archana Monie, Chien Fu Hung*, Chyong Huey Lai

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

DNA vaccination has emerged as a promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy. However, since DNA vaccines have low immunogenicity, various strategies have been developed to enhance the potency of DNA vaccines. In the current study, we aim to determine whether the potency of the DNA vaccine encoding human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) E7 antigen can be enhanced by IL-2. We have generated a DNA vaccine encoding IL-2 linked to HPV-16 E7 antigen. Our results indicate that the DNA vaccine encoding a fusion of IL-2 and E7 proteins generated the highest frequency of E7-specific CD8+ T cells. We also found that the DNA vaccine encoding a fusion of IL-2 and E7 proteins generated the strongest protective as well as therapeutic anti-tumor effect against E7-expressing tumors. In addition, it was observed that CD8+ T cells were mainly responsible for the antitumor effect generated by the DNA vaccine encoding a fusion of IL-2 and E7 proteins. Thus, we conclude that the linkage of IL-2 to HPV-16 E7 antigen significantly enhances the DNA vaccine potency against E7-expressing tumors. Our strategy may potentially be used in other antigenic systems to control infectious diseases and/or cancer.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)86-93
Number of pages8
JournalImmunology Letters
Volume114
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 12 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • DNA vaccine
  • E7
  • HPV
  • IL-2

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