Construction of a triple modified p53 containing DNA vaccine to enhance processing and presentation of the p53 antigen

Vaccine. 2009 Dec 11;28(2):386-91. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.10.036. Epub 2009 Oct 28.

Abstract

More effective and less toxic treatments are urgently needed in the treatment of patients with cancer. The tumour suppressor protein p53 is a tumour-associated antigen that could serve that purpose when applied in an immunologic approval to cancer. It is mutated in approximately 50% of the tumours resulting in p53 overexpression, which can serve as target for therapy. To improve the immunisation results in patients with p53 overexpression tumours we constructed a DNA vaccine that could lead to improved processing and presentation of p53 peptides in the MHC-class I. We constructed a triple modified p53 fusion protein containing DNA vaccine by (1) addition of a xeno-antigen (mouse or rat p53 fragment), (2) potentiation of intra-cytoplasmatic accumulation of p53 by deleting the nuclear signalling part, (3) improving the processing to peptides of p53 by addition of ubiquitin. In-vitro experiments confirmed correct construction of the DNA vaccine. Preliminary testing in normal and HLA-A2 mice of this triple modified p53 containing DNA construct meant for human application showed a trend towards a superior immunogenicity.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigen Presentation / immunology*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Electroporation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Immunotherapy
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Models, Genetic
  • Neoplasms / immunology
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / chemistry
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / immunology*
  • Vaccines, DNA / chemistry
  • Vaccines, DNA / genetics
  • Vaccines, DNA / immunology*

Substances

  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • Vaccines, DNA