Two BCG vaccine formulations prepared from the same strain with different J774 macrophage activation capacities and patterns of NF-kappa B induction

Two BCG vaccine formulations of the Moreau strain, commercially manufacture d for anti-tuberculosis vaccination, ID-BCG, or anti-cancer adjuvant therap y, Onco-BCG, were compared for immunogenic activity in vitro. The growth ra tes of both vaccines in murine macrophages were the same, however, Onco-BCG induced stronger and longer-lasting secretion of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and nitri c oxide. Onco-vaccine was also more potent in inducing NF-kappa B p65/p50 D NA-binding activity whilst in ID-BCG-infected cells the activity was transi ent and then gradually replaced by the transcriptionally inactive homodimer p50/p50. Comparative analysis of mycobacterial antigens of the two vaccine s demonstrated a difference in expression of the 19 kDa and 38 kDa lipoprot eins detected only in Onco-BCG extracts. These results suggest that these m olecules may be responsible for the vigorous activation of macrophages indu ced by the Once-vaccine. The data obtained show that vaccines from the same BCG strain, when manufactured differently, can vary significantly in their antigen expression and, consequently, in their capacity for macrophage act ivation which could contribute to the difference in their immunopotentiatin g effects.