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OVERVIEW | INFLUENZA | MALARIA | HIV | HERPES | OTHER PROJECTS
The ability of Vaxcine™ to enhance immunity against infectious diseases has been demonstrated using the immunostimulant CEL-1000 in a mouse model for Herpes Simplex Virus 1. CEL-1000 is a CD4-binding peptide derived from the beta chain of the MHC II molecule, and is able to regulate the activity of CD4+ cells. CEL-1000 was incorporated into several different variants of the Vaxcine™ formulation, and administered to mice prior to challenge with HSV1 by scarification. Thereafter, animals were scored daily over a seven day period to determine the severity of infection induced.
The variants of the Vaxcine™ formulation differed only in the relative proportions of their constituent components. Significant protection was provided with all three Vaxcine™ variants, the most efficacious being variant ‘C’, which gave the lowest combined symptom score (see Figure 1):
Figure 1. Impact on HSV-1 symptoms
of V delivered HSV-1 antigen.
While 60% of control animals developed zosteriform lesions after six days, only 10% of mice treated with Vaxcine™ ‘C’ formulation gave such a lesion (see Figure 2):
Figure 2. Impact of Vaxcine™
delivered HSV-1 antigen on zosteriform lesions.
Similarly while 40% of untreated animals died as a result of the infection, Vaxcine™ formulation ‘C’ gave 100% protection against death. The experiment was terminated at ten days, since any surviving animals recover spontaneously after that time.
Figure 3. Impact on HSV-1 symptoms of Vaxcine™ delivered HSV-1 antigen.