Current advances in antifertility vaccines for fertility control and noncontraceptive applications

The detection of canine anti-sperm antibody following parenteral immunization of bitches against homogenized whole sperm

Backgrounds

The development of a canine-specific method of immunocontraception is one of the non-invasive controlling strategies for humanely decreasing the dog population. This study was aimed to investigate the potential of whole sperm in stimulating the immune system and producing specific anti-sperm antibodies (ASAs) in female dogs. Mature, mixed-breed bitches were subcutaneously immunized with high (200 × 10⁶ cells/mL) and low (100 × 10⁶ cells/mL) doses of sperm vaccine, emulsified with Freund’s adjuvants. Booster immunizations were given at weeks 1, 2, 4, and 6, and serum samples were collected at days 0, 14, 28, 42, 63, and 84 prior to each immunization. Reproductive tract samples, including vaginal and uterine lavages, were also collected by flushing each section with sterile PBS at the end of the experiment. Canine anti-sperm antibody titer and specificity in sera and genital secretions were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique.

Results

Specific anti-sperm antibodies were detected in the serum of both high and low dose groups and were significantly higher than those observed in the controls. A high dose of sperm induced elevated immune responses over the low dose antigen. Immunization with a high dose of sperm increased the level of ASAs in the uterine secretions and vaginal secretions significantly. Higher ASAs were observed to have transduced to the uterine lumen compared to the vagina.

Conclusions

Based on the results obtained in this study, parenteral immunization with whole sperm can induce a high level of specific antibodies in the serum and genital secretions of female dogs and the response would be dose-dependent.

Rationalising drug delivery using nanoparticles: a combined simulation and immunology study of GnRH adsorbed to silica nanoparticles

Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) have been shown to have significant potential for drug delivery and as adjuvants for vaccines. We have simulated the adsorption of GnRH-I (gonadotrophin releasing hormone I) and a cysteine-tagged modification (cys-GnRH-I) to model silica surfaces, as well as its conjugation to the widely-used carrier protein bovine serum albumin (BSA). Our subsequent immunological studies revealed no significant antibody production was caused by the peptide-SiNP systems, indicating that the treatment was not effective. However, the testosterone response with the native peptide-SiNPs indicated a drug effect not found with cys-GnRH-I-SiNPs; this behaviour is explained by the specific orientation of the peptides at the silica surface found in the simulations. With the BSA systems, we found significant testosterone reduction, particularly for the BSA-native conjugates, and an antibody response that was notably higher with the SiNPs acting as an adjuvant; this behaviour again correlates well with the epitope presentation predicted by the simulations. The range of immunological and hormone response can therefore be interpreted and understood by the simulation results and the presentation of the peptides to solution, paving the way for the future rational design of drug delivery and vaccine systems guided by biomolecular simulation.

Immunocontraceptives: How far from reality?

Despite high expectations of safer, effective, economical, longer acting contraceptives, to date, there are no licensed contraceptive vaccines available in the market. Nevertheless, a role for vaccines undoubtedly exists as an aid to birth spacing and as a nonsurgical means of generating sterility. The research concerned in the area so far has been successful on the feline population, with room still for exhaustive studies on humans. The future of contraceptive vaccines holds great promise in terms of comfort, price, efficacy, rare complications, and possibly nonselective action on animal populations as well as on humans. This brief review deals with the basic aspects of immunocontraceptives along with the efforts done so far. There is a need for further research in aspects involving the rate of evolution of contraception resistance based on genetics, resistance phenotypes, or cross generation effects. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone and luteinizing-hormone have not been investigated in humans, as both reported impotency in animals; the follicle-stimulating hormone has been shown to cause oligospermia; zona pellucida has also not been studied in humans as it causes irreversible oophoritis, while the sperm has the potential for success in humans based on the data from immunoreproductive studies. Even as the position of the human chorionic gonadotropin vaccine looks hopeful, research on other possible targets continue with an eventual aim of discovering a vaccine that is more immunogenically effective.

Recent advances and safety issues of transgenic plant-derived vaccines

Transgenic plant-derived vaccines comprise a new type of bioreactor that combines plant genetic engineering technology with an organism's immunological response. This combination can be considered as a bioreactor that is produced by introducing foreign genes into plants that elicit special immunogenicity when introduced into animals or human beings. In comparison with traditional vaccines, plant vaccines have some significant advantages, such as low cost, greater safety, and greater effectiveness. In a number of recent studies, antigen-specific proteins have been successfully expressed in various plant tissues and have even been tested in animals and human beings. Therefore, edible vaccines of transgenic plants have a bright future. This review begins with a discussion of the immune mechanism and expression systems for transgenic plant vaccines. Then, current advances in different transgenic plant vaccines will be analyzed, including vaccines against pathogenic viruses, bacteria, and eukaryotic parasites. In view of the low expression levels for antigens in plants, high-level expression strategies of foreign protein in transgenic plants are recommended. Finally, the existing safety problems in transgenic plant vaccines were put forward will be discussed along with a number of appropriate solutions that will hopefully lead to future clinical application of edible plant vaccines.

Immunisation with a plasmid DNA vaccine encoding gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH-I) and T-helper epitopes in saline suppresses rodent fertility

Research into active immunisation against gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH-I) has gained widespread acceptance as a means of controlling reproduction and behaviour of farm, companion and wild animals. Many studies describe the use of multiple copies of the self-peptide in linear alignment and conjugation with a large carrier protein to increase the immune response to the peptide. However, problems resulting from carrier protein epitope suppression have seen a diversion of interest into the use of genetic materials to elicit an optimum immune response. In this study, a 533-bp long DNA vaccine was constructed in pcDNAV5-HisB coding for 18.871 kDa GnRH-I-T-helper-V5 epitopes fusion protein. COS1 cells transfected with the vaccine construct were found to release fusion protein into culture supernatant. The vaccine construct (100 microg/mice) in saline solution administered into the anterior quadriceps muscle of ICR male and female mice stimulated antigen-specific IgG antibody responses. Testosterone levels in the vaccinated male mice were significantly (p = 0.021) reduced. A significant reduction in uterine implants were noted following mating between immunised males and control females (p = 0.028), as well as between immunised females and control males (p = 0.004). Histological examination of both the male and female gonads in study week 13 showed atrophy of the seminiferous epithelium and suppression of folliculogenesis.

Immunisation of male mice with a plasmid DNA vaccine encoding gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH-I) and T-helper epitopes suppresses fertility in vivo

Immunisation against mammalian gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH-I) linked to large carrier proteins has been shown to disrupt fertility. However, various studies have shown that the carrier protein causes epitope suppression of the hapten response, resulting in short-lived immunoneutralisation, followed by a return of fertility. A range of strategies has been used to resolve this, with limited success. The aim of this study was to construct a plasmid DNA vaccine encoding GnRH-I and T-helper epitopes. A 498 bp long vaccine construct in pcDNA3.1+ was administered to male mice in conjunction with a Hemagglutinating Virus of Japanese Envelop (HVJ-E) vector or in saline solution. The vaccine efficacy was evaluated in terms of GnRH-I specific IgG antibody response, serum testosterone levels, testicular spermatogenesis and the ability to produce offspring. The vaccine appeared to induce higher anti-GnRH-I IgG antibody response and insult the fertility axis, which was characterised by a drop of epididymal sperm counts, reduction of serum testosterone levels, suppressed testicular spermatogenesis and a significant decrease in litter numbers compared to control animals. The end-point vaccine efficacy was much higher in the HVJ-E vector mediated immunisation, than in saline alone.

A virus vector based on Canine Herpesvirus for vaccine applications in canids

Canine Herpesvirus (CHV) is being developed as a virus vector for the vaccination of European red foxes. However, initial studies using recombinant CHV vaccines in foxes revealed viral attenuation and lack of antibody response to inserted foreign antigens. These findings were attributed both to inactivation of the thymidine kinase (TK) gene and excess foreign genetic material in the recombinant viral genome. In this study, we report an improved CHV-bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) vector system designed to overcome attenuation in foxes. A non-essential region was identified in the CHV genome as an alternative insertion site for foreign genes. Replacement of a guanine/cytosine (GC)-rich intergenic region between UL21 and UL22 of CHV with a marker gene did not change growth behaviour in vitro, showing that this region is not essential for virus growth in cell culture. We subsequently produced a CHV-BAC vector with an intact TK gene in which the bacterial genes and the antigen expression cassette were inserted into this GC-rich locus. Unlike earlier constructs, the new CHV-BAC allowed self-excision of the bacterial genes via homologous recombination after transfection of BACs into cell culture. The BAC-CHV system was used to produce a recombinant virus that constitutively expressed porcine zona pellucida subunit C protein between the UL21 and UL22 genes of CHV. Complete self-excision of the bacterial genes from CHV was achieved within one round of replication whilst retaining antigen gene expression.

Pre-spillover prevention of emerging zoonotic diseases: what are the targets and what are the tools?

The uneven standards of surveillance, human- or animal-based, for zoonotic diseases or pathogens maintained and transmitted by wildlife H(R)s, or even domestic species, is a global problem, readily apparent even within the United States, where investment in public health, including surveillance systems, has a long and enviable history. As of 2006, there appears to be little scientific, social, or political consensus that animal-based surveillance for zoonoses merits investment in international infrastructure, other than the fledgling efforts with avian influenza, or targeted nontraditional avenues of surveillance and research. National institutions charged with strategic planning for emerging diseases or intentional releases of zoonotic agents have emphasized improving diagnostic capabilities for detecting human infections, modifying the immune status of human or domestic animals through vaccines, producing better antiviral or antibacterial drugs, and enhancing human-based surveillance as an early warning system. With the possible exception of extensive human vaccination, each of these approaches target post-spillover events and none of these avenues of research will have the slightest impact on reducing the risk of additional emergence of viruses or other pathogens from wildlife. Novel schemes of preventing spillover of human pathogens from animal H(R)s can only spring from improving our understanding of the ecological context and biological interactions of pathogen maintenance among H(R)s. Although the benefit derived from investments to improve surveillance and knowledge of zoonotic pathogens circulating among wildlife H(R) populations is uncertain, our experience with HIV and the looming threat of pandemic avian influenza A inform us of the outcomes we can expect by relying on detection of post-spillover events among sentinel humans.

Effect of immunisation against gonadotrophin releasing hormone isoforms (mammalian GnRH-I, chicken GnRH-II and lamprey GnRH-III) on murine spermatogenesis

In mammals, the hypothalamic decapeptide, gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH-I), is regarded as the major fertility regulating peptide. However, a range of isoforms also exists, varying only in the core region between amino acids 5-8. The physiological role of two of these, GnRH-II and GnRH-III, remains controversial, particularly with regard to fertility. The basis of the present study was to examine whether there is potential for GnRH-II and GnRH-III to be developed into highly specific vaccines, and to determine what the impact of their neutralisation would be on fertility. Computer modelling was used to predict how many common amino acids could be sequentially removed from the N-terminus, without loss of conformational structure. Sequences predicted to retain structure, were synthesised and conjugated to tetanus toxoid. Male mice were actively immunised, in study weeks 0, 2, 4 and 6 and peptide specific ELISA carried out. Mice immunised with TT-GnRH-I, TT-GnRH-II and TT-GnRH-III conjugates induced high antibody titres to the respective peptide. However, serum from TT-GnRH-I treated mice showed cross-reactivity to GnRH-II and GnRH-III peptides, and serum from TT-GnRH-II immunised mice showed cross-reactivity to GnRH-III. On the other hand, serum from only two of the TT-GnRH-III treated animals showed cross-reactivity to GnRH-II. Histological examination of the testes enabled comparative quantification of the disruption to spermatogenesis. Immunisation against TT-GnRH-I and TT-GnRH-III caused 66% and 68%, respectively, of seminiferous tubules viewed to show evidence of spermatogenesis, compared with 82% and 92% against TT-GnRH-II and untreated controls, respectively. Endocrine analysis revealed that only the TT-GnRH-I immunised animals showed significant reduction (p<0.05) in follicle stimulating hormone, while testosterone levels were reduced in the TT-GnRH-I and TT-GnRH-III treated animals. Taken together, our data suggests that GnRH-I and GnRH-III are implicated in spermatogenesis, unlike GnRH-II.

Immunisation of the male tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) with spermatozoa elicits epididymal antigen-specific antibody secretion and compromised fertilisation rate

Immunocontraception has been proposed as an effective and humane means of controlling overabundant kangaroo populations in Australia. We have examined the feasibility of using a sperm-based vaccine for this purpose using a model macropod species, the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). This study has demonstrated immunocontraception in a marsupial species following immunisation of males with homologous spermatozoa. Serum anti-sperm IgG titres were associated with a significant reduction in fertilisation rates following mating with superovulated female wallabies. Antigen-specific IgG penetrated the reproductive tract at the rete testis and bound spermatozoa in vivo. IgG was detected bound to the acrosome and midpiece regions of both epididymal and ejaculated spermatozoa. The absence of adverse testicular pathology and sperm movement effects suggests that contraception may have been achieved by antibody-mediated blocking of sperm surface antigens essential for fertilisation. This study demonstrates that a contraceptive vaccine targeting sperm antigens has potential for fertility control in male macropods.

Development of canine herpesvirus based antifertility vaccines for foxes using bacterial artificial chromosomes

Using bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) technology, a canine herpesvirus (CHV)-based recombinant vaccine vector was produced for the development of an antifertility vaccine for foxes. Infectious viruses were recovered following transfection of canid cells with a BAC plasmid carrying the complete CHV genome. In vitro growth characteristics of BAC-derived viruses were similar to that of wildtype (wt)-CHV. Two recombinant antigens, fox zona pellucida protein subunit 3 (fZPC) and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) as control antigen, were inserted into thymidine kinase (TK) locus of the CHV genome and shown to be efficiently expressed in vitro. Inoculation of foxes with transgenic CHVs induced CHV specific antibodies, but was innocuous and failed to elicit transgene-specific antibody responses. Infectious virus or viral DNA was not detected in mucosal secretions or tissues of vaccinated foxes. The CHV-BAC system proved to be a quick and reliable method to manipulate the CHV genome. It will help to readily apply changes in the vector design in order to improve virus replication in vivo.

Suitability of canine herpesvirus as a vector for oral bait vaccination of foxes

Studies were conducted to evaluate the feasibility of using canine herpesvirus (CHV) as a vaccine vector for bait-delivered oral vaccination of wild foxes. To test the viability of CHV in baits, CHV was freeze-dried, incorporated into different baits, stored, and the remaining viral infectivity tested in cell culture after varying periods of time at different storage temperatures. Experimental baits (mouse carcasses) and commercial baits (FOXOFF and PROBAIT) were prepared with either liquid or freeze-dried CHV and tested in two fox trials for their capacity to induce CHV-specific antibodies following oral baiting. Freeze-drying and storage temperatures below 0 °C had a stabilizing effect to virus infectivity. When stored at −20 °C, freeze-dried CHV retained its full infectivity for up to 3 months in PROBAIT baits, the remaining infectivity in FOXOFF baits was 100-fold less. Oral baiting with CHV induced antiviral serum antibodies in all vaccinated foxes (20/20). None of the vaccinated foxes became ill or shed infectious virus into the environment although viral DNA was detected in body secretions as evaluated by PCR. The results indicate that CHV can be freeze-dried and stored over extended periods of time without loosing much of its infectivity. This is the first report of CHV being used for oral bait vaccination of foxes. It appears that CHV is well suited for use as a recombinant vector for wild canids.

Immunogenicity and contraceptive potential of recombinant human sperm associated antigen (SPAG9)

Human sperm-associated antigen 9 (hSPAG9) is a potential target for sperm-based contraceptive vaccine in lieu of its location on the sperm acrosomal compartment and its implication in sperm-egg interaction. SPAG9 is an acrosomal molecule which is not only restricted to a specific region (domain) of the acrosome but also undergoes relocation to the equatorial region in a stage-specific manner during acrosome reaction, demonstrating its potential role in sperm-egg binding. Human SPAG9 nucleotide sequence revealed 94% identity with macaque SPAG9 and 96.8% with baboon SPAG9 over the entire sequence. The amino acid sequence comparison of human SPAG9 with macaque and baboon revealed an overall homology of 84.9% and 90.6%, respectively. The presence of a high level of homology at the amino acid and nucleotide levels indicates that SPAG9 is conserved in macaque, baboon and human sharing common function and common origin in the biological past. Immunogenicity studies were carried in rats, which demonstrated that recombinant hSPAG9 protein adsorbed on alum is highly immunogenic. Antibodies thus generated after immunization reacted with recombinant human SPAG9 (rhSPAG9) and native SPAG9 protein from human sperm in Western blot analysis. In an in vitro assay, anti-rhSPAG9 antibodies inhibited sperm adherence to or penetration in zona-free hamster egg penetration test. Further, anti-SPAG9 antibodies inhibited the binding of human sperm to intact human oocyte as well as to matched hemi-zonae, indicating that the recombinant protein is a suitable contraceptive vaccinogen. Together these results demonstrate that the rhSPAG9 adsorbed on alum is immunogenic in nature, which is a permissible adjuvant for immunogenicity and fertility trials in non-human primates.

Experimental inoculation of European red foxes with recombinant vaccinia virus expressing zona pellucida C proteins

The antifertility potential of zona pellucida proteins was tested in European red foxes by immunizing females with recombinant vaccinia viruses that express zona pellucida subunit C proteins. The fox zona pellucida C (fZPC) protein was newly identified and isolated as a cDNA clone from fox ovary RNA. Eighteen European foxes were inoculated with the recombinant vaccinia viruses or with wildtype vaccinia virus (wtVV) and their clinical, virological and immune responses evaluated. Following intradermal inoculation with wtVV or recombinant vaccinia virus expressing fox zona pellucida C (rVV-fZPC), or after peroral administration with recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the porcine zona pellucida C protein (rVV-pZPC) clinical signs of disease were not observed. Five out of six foxes developed antibodies to wtVV proteins. However, none of 12 foxes (six inoculated intradermally with rVV-fZPC, six perorally with rVV-pZPC) reacted in immunoblots with the transgenic fZPC or pZPC, respectively. Infectious wtVV, rVV-fZPC or rVV-pZPC was not isolated from mucosal secretions of any of the foxes whereas viral DNA was present in oral swabs of 3/18 foxes as determined by PCR. Hematological parameters remained mostly unchanged. Histopathological changes were not observed in the ovaries of rVV-fZPC or wtVV inoculated foxes. The data indicate that inoculation of foxes with cell culture infectious wtVV, rVV-fZPC or rVV-pZPC did not result in production of infectious progeny virus in vivo. For this reason transgene expression may have been insufficient to induce adequate immune responses against the transgenic proteins.

Plant-based immunocontraceptive control of wildlife—“potentials, limitations, and possums”

Possums (Trichosurus vulpecula), originally introduced from Australia, are spread over 90% of New Zealand and cause major economic and environmental damage. Immunocontraception has been suggested as a humane means to control them. Marsupial-specific reproductive antigens expressed at high levels in edible transgenic plant tissue might provide a safe, effective, and cheap oral delivery bait for immunocontraceptive control. As proof of concept, female possums vaccinated with immunocontraceptive antigens showed reduced fertility, and possums fed with potato-expressed heat labile toxin-B (LT-B) had mucosal and systemic immune responses to the antigen. This demonstrated that immunocontraception was effective in possums and that oral delivery in edible plant material might be possible. Nuclear transformation with reporter genes showed that transgenic carrot roots accumulate high levels of foreign protein in edible tissues, indicating their potential as a delivery vector. However, prior to attempts at large scale production, more effective immunocontraceptive antigen-adjuvant formulations are probably required before plant-based immunocontraception can become a major tool for immunocontraceptive control of overabundant vertebrate pests.

Development of mouse-specific contraceptive vaccines: infertility in mice immunized with peptide and polyepitope antigens

Mouse-specific immunocontraceptive peptides have been identified in mouse proteins with key roles in reproduction from sequence comparisons to other species and tested for efficacy as immunocontraceptive antigens. Peptides were derived from granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GMCSF), the placental 27 kDa heat-shock protein (HSP), leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR), oviduct glycoprotein (OGP), proliferin (PLF), prolactin (PRL), sperm protein SP56 and mouse zona pellucida subunits 1 and 3 (ZP1, ZP3). Fertility of female BALB/c mice was reduced after immunization with several peptides either conjugated to a carrier protein or in the form of recombinant polyepitopes. The most effective conjugated peptides (SP56, GMCSF and PRL) induced peptide-specific serum antibodies and reduced fertility by 50%. Fertility of mice was also reduced after immunization with polyepitope antigens containing up to five different peptides fused to maltose-binding protein, but antibodies were not produced against all the encoded peptides. The most effective polyepitope antigen (containing PLF, SP56, ZP1 and ZP3 peptides) reduced fertility by 50% but induced only SP56 and ZP1 antibodies. We demonstrate that lack of antibody response to a given peptide epitope (ZP3) can be overcome if repeated copies are used in the polyepitope antigen construct, but the effect varies between mouse strains. We conclude that infertility induced in mice with a range of peptide-based vaccines is dependent on antigen formulation and genetic factors but does not necessarily correlate with peptide-specific antibody levels. In light of these results, strategies to improve the efficacy of peptide-based antifertility vaccines are discussed.

Immune responses to a GnRH-based anti-fertility immunogen, induced by different adjuvants and subsequent effect on vaccine efficacy

A modified GnRH peptide (CHWSYGLRPG-NH2) was conjugated to tetanus toxoid and formulated with different adjuvants (non-ionic surfactant vesicles, aluminium hydroxide, Quil A, PLGA (poly(lactide-co-glycolide)/triacetin), and Quil A/PLGA). A comparison of the anti-fertility efficacy of the formulations was made by examining specific antibody levels, antibody subclasses, endocrine ablation and gonadal atrophy. The production of IgG2b antibody provided the best correlation for castration. PLGA was considered the most effective adjuvant as it produced a consistent anti-fertility response in all the treated animals.

Efficacy of an anti-fertility vaccine based on mammalian gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH-I)—a histological comparison in male animals

A N-terminal modified gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH-I, tetanus toxoid-CHWSYGLRPG-NH2) conjugate was evaluated histologically in a number of male animal species (mice, dogs and sheep). The immunogen has previously been shown to be highly effective in rats, by suppressing both steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis. However, cross-species efficacy of peptide vaccines is known to be highly variable. Therefore, a comparative evaluation of reproductive tissues from animals immunized against this immunogen adsorbed onto an alum-based adjuvant was made. The sheep and dogs were chosen, as use of anti-fertility vaccines in these species is important in farming and veterinary practice. Changes in testicular size were measured during the immunization period and the greatest alteration (attributed to gonadal atrophy) was observed in the rat. Following euthanasia, the testicular tissue was evaluated for spermatogenesis. The most susceptible species to GnRH-I ablation was the rat, which showed significant (P < 0.0001) arrest in spermatogenesis compared with untreated controls. Testicular sections taken from treated animals were completely devoid of spermatozoa or spermatids, in comparison with 94% of the untreated controls showing evidence of spermatogenesis. The immunized mice and rams also showed significant arrest (P < 0.0001). There was a 30-45% decrease in spermatogenesis and total azoospermia was not apparent. However, the least responsive were the dogs, which showed little significant variation compared to untreated animals and only a 5% decrease in activity. A comparison of the specific IgG response to GnRH-I indicated that in sheep and dogs the response was not maintained, unlike in rodents, suggesting that suppression of fertility may be due to differences in immune responses in different animal species.

Changes in the reproductive system of male mice immunized with a GnRH-analogue conjugated to mycobacterial hsp70

Immunosterilization is an attractive alternative to surgical castration. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) controls the production of the gonadotropins thereby having an orchestrating effect on the reproductive hormone cascade and spermatogenesis. Induction of neutralizing antibody can abrogate the effect of the hormone. Current GnRH-based vaccines often require strong adjuvants and/or multiple injections of the vaccines to overcome variability in the response. Heat shock proteins (hsp) have been used as carrier molecules because of their powerful intrinsic ability to enhance an immune response to associated antigens. A GnRH-analogue, GnRH-d6-Lys, was conjugated to recombinantMycobacterium tuberculosishsp70. Male BALB/c mice were immunized i.p. with GnRH-hsp70 in the mild adjuvant Ribi or in incomplete Freund’s adjuvant (IFA). The initial immunizations were done on pre-pubertal 3-week-old mice, with boosts at 5 and 8 weeks of age. The mice were killed at 10 weeks of age and GnRH-specific antibodies and serum testosterone levels measured. All the immunized mice mounted GnRH-specific antibody responses, with no difference in the mice immunized with GnRH-hsp70/Ribi or with GnRH-hsp70/IFA. There was substantial atrophy of the urogenital complex and significantly (P< 0.0005) reduced levels of testosterone-dependent testicular relaxin-like factor mRNA expression. Mice immunized with GnRH-hsp70/Ribi showed substantially reduced (P< 0.001) serum testosterone levels. These results indicate that hsp70 may serve as a particularly advantageous carrier for GnRH-based vaccines.

The immunogenicity of recombinant and dimeric gonadotrophin-releasing hormone vaccines incorporating a T-helper epitope and GnRH or repeated GnRH units

In this study, we designed two linear peptides, GnRH-hinge-MVP, which consists of human gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH), hinge fragment 225-232/225'-232' of human IgG1 and a T helper peptide from measles virus protein (MVP), and GnRH3-hinge-MVP, which contains three copies of GnRH (so termed GnRH3). The DNA constructs encoding for the two peptides were fused to the C-terminal encoding sequence of asparaginase, encompassing residues 199-326, through an acid-labile aspartyl-prolyl linker. The chimeric genes were expressed at high levels in Escherichia coli. The fusion proteins were purified to approximate homogeneity by means of washing the inclusion bodies and by ethanol precipitation. The GnRH-hinge-MVP or the GnRH3-hinge-MVP was released from the fusion proteins by cleavage with hydrochloric acid and further oxidized into double-chain miniproteins after purification. Both dimeric constructs proved to be efficient immunogens. It was shown that rats immunized with the immunogens generated antibodies specific for GnRH. The dimeric GnRH3-hinge-MVP containing three copies of GnRH in each chain induced a higher titre of anti-GnRH antibodies than the GnRH-hinge-MVP, containing a single copy of GnRH in each chain. These results demonstrate that combining multicopies or single copies of peptide with hinge fragment of human IgG and T helper peptide from measles virus protein can induce anti-peptide immune responses. Our data also suggest that these methods of preparation and dimerization of the recombinant polypeptides may provide a useful strategy for other polypeptide vaccine developments.