DNA vaccination against v-src oncogene-induced tumours in congenic chickens

DNA vaccination is particularly efficient for induction of cytotoxic T-lymp hocyte (CTL) response. In our experiments, we used MHC(B) congenic chicken lines CB and CC (regressors and progressors of v-src-induced tumours, respe ctively) and a mutated, non-oncogenic v-src gene construct as the DNA vacci ne. A high degree of vaccine protection against oncogenic v-src challenge w as achieved in the CB line chickens. CTL response was demonstrated in vitro and by adoptive transfer of immune cells to the syngeneic host and to the CC line chickens rendered tolerant to CB cells. In the CC line chickens we observed tumour growth retardation after a low-dose DNA vaccination adminis tered to immature recipients while higher amounts of DNA vaccine in immunoc ompetent chickens exerted an enhancing effect. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Lt d. All rights reserved.