Comparison of DNA Vaccine Delivery Systems: Intramuscular Injection Versus Gene Gun Administration

摘要

This study aimed to compare the effects of intra-muscular immunization (IM) using needle injection with intra-dermal (ID) immunization using a ballistic gene gun. Serum levels of antigen specific IgG were assessed by ELISA, following immunization with plasmid DNA encoding beta-galactosidase. It was observed that mice that were vaccinated ID displayed higher titres of antigen-specific IgG than IM vaccinated mice. This is despite the fact that only one hundredth the amount of DNA was used for ID immunization, compared to IM immunization In addition, the size of the gold microcarriers coupled to the DNA, that were used in the gene gun immunizations also influenced antibody production, with the larger 1.6 micron particles resulting in the highest levels of IgG. Vaccination via gene gun is therefore an efficient method of immunization, not only for fast, safe and accurate antigen delivery, but also for activation of the humoral immune response. As a result, gene gun immunization will be utilized in our research program aimed at developing vaccines against biowarfare agents, whenever a strong antibody response is required.