DNA encoding the attachment (G) or fusion (F) protein of respiratory syncytial virus induces protection in the absence of pulmonary inflammation

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Abstract
Significant protection against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection was induced in mice vaccinated intramuscularly (i.m.) with DNA encoding the F or G protein of RSV. The amounts of IgG1 of IgG2a antibodies in mice immunized with DNA-G alone were similar. However, the antibody response in mice co-immunized with DNA-G and DNA encoding IL-4 (DNA-IL-4) was strongly biased towards IgG1. In contrast, the antibody response in mice co-immunized with DNA-G and DNA-IL-2, -IL-12 or-IFN-γ was biased towards IgG2a. Mice vaccinated with DNA-F either alone or in combination with DNA encoding cytokines developed a predominant RSV-specific IgG2a response, which was most pronounced in mice co-immunized with DNA-F and DNA-IL-12 or -IFN-γ. Vaccinated mice developed only a slightly enhanced pulmonary inflammatory response following RSV challenge. More significantly, and in contrast to mice scarified with recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the G protein, mice vaccinated i.m. with DNA-G did not develop pulmonary eosinophilia, even when the immune response was biased towards a Th2 response by co-administration of DNA-IL-4.