Alpha-galactosylceramide (αgalcer) enhances vaccine-induced protection in a model of ricin intoxication

Jennifer L. Yates, Elizabeth Leadbetter, Nicholas J. Mantis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Alpha-galactosylceramide (αGalCer) is a glycolipid derived from a marine sponge that is a potent activator of both mouse and human invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells. For that reason, αGalCer is a promising vaccine adjuvant that has been shown to improve both humoral and cellular immunity when co-administered with various vaccines, including candidate vaccines for biodefense. In the current study, we tested the effectiveness of αGalCer as an adjuvant for the clinically-relevant ricin toxin subunit vaccine, RiVax. αGalCer had a potent adjuvant effect, as shown by a rapid onset of anti-ricin IgG titers, accelerated development of serum toxin-neutralizing activity, and enhanced protection from lethal ricin challenge in a mouse model. These results underscore the potential of αGalCer to augment the protective immune response to a vaccine designed to counteract ricin toxin, a fast-acting biothreat agent.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2053-2057
Number of pages5
JournalHuman Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics
Volume14
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - 2018

Keywords

  • B cell epitope
  • Biodefense
  • Monoclonal antibodies
  • Toxin

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Pharmacology
  • Immunology

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