MUCOSAL AND SYSTEMIC ANTIBODY-RESPONSES TO A C4 V3 CONSTRUCT FOLLOWING DNA VACCINATION OF RABBITS VIA THE PEYERS PATCH/

A plasmid encoding T1-SP10MN(A), a peptide derived from immunodominant regions of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp120, was delivered t o rabbit Peyer's patches using a helium-driven gene gun. Six weeks the reafter, 2 of 5 animals were given an intradermal booster immunization . Blood, feces, and vaginal washes were collected weekly and assayed b y ELISA. High titer T1-SP10MN(A)-specific fecal and vaginal secretory IgA responses were observed, and the response appeared to be augmented following dermal booster immunizations. Specific serum Ige was also d etected within 1 week of immunization and remained elevated through we ek 20 in the 2 animals receiving dermal boosts (titers greater than or equal to 6400). This study establishes the Peyer's patch as a promisi ng target tissue for DNA vaccination and demonstrates the efficacy of gene gun-mediated delivery of foreign DNA to a mucosal tissue for the induction of an immune response.