Immunomodulatory effect of a plasmid expressing CD40 ligand on DNA vaccination against human immunodeficiency virus type‐1

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Abstract
Summary: CD40 ligand is a costimulatory molecule which acts a potent immunomodulator. We found the mice inoculated with human CD40 ligand expression plasmid (pMEhCD40L) combined with human immunodeficiency virus type‐1 (HIV‐1) DNA vaccine exhibited both humoral and cellular antigen‐specific immunological enhancement. The expression of hCD40L induced predominantly antigen‐specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody response while it failed to induce mucosal IgA response. Delayed‐type hypersensitivity (DTH) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity were induced in a dose‐dependent manner. Examination of the relative levels of the two IgG subclasses showed that co‐injection of pMEhCD40L enhanced IgG2a response without suppressing IgG1 response. Similarly, the expression of pMEhCD40L enhanced not only T helper 1 (Th1)‐ but also Th2‐type cytokine production. In conclusion, co‐inoculation of pMEhCD40L with DNA vaccine was shown to be a useful way to enhance CTL responses without suppressing the humoral immune response in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients.