A NOVEL APPROACH FOR TARGETING DNA TO DENDRITIC CELLS IN VIVO FOR VACCINE DEVELOPMENT AND CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY [ 2005 - 2007 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Dr Joseph Altin (Principal investigator) ,  The Australian National University (Managed by)

Brief description The use of genetic material, known as DNA, as a vaccine, has been a relatively new advance in vaccination technology with potential for combating many infectious diseases and cancers. The use of DNA has the advantage that it can be easily manipulated to develop new vaccines that have the desired preventative and-or immunotherapeutic effect. For optimal effect, however, the DNA to be used as a vaccine needs to be targeted to specific cell types in the body. Evidence suggests that a minor population of cells known as dendritic cells, which are present in blood and other tissues, play an important role in eliciting the effects of DNA vaccines. However, current methods for delivering DNA to these cells often lack selectivity in delivery, and-or use viruses to deliver the DNA. This can pose the risk of allergic type reactions and-or possibly cause tumours. The use of small membranous vesicles known as liposomes, made of phospholipids, has recently attracted considerable interest as DNA delivery vehicles, since these are considered safe, and have the potential to deliver large quantities of DNA. Although DNA can easily be packaged inside liposomes, it is has not been easy to target the liposomes and their contents (eg. encapsulated DNA) to specific cells (such as dendritic cells) within the body. We have recently produced a novel chelator lipid molecule which can be used to conveniently attach onto the liposome surface specific targeting molecules, such as engineered forms of antibody fragments, that can target or steer the liposomes together with their payload (eg. the DNA), directly to dendritic cells. This project will test the potential for using such targeted liposomes as DNA vaccines by examining whether liposomes containing DNA for a model antigen can be used in vaccinations to inhibit the growth and metastasis of a highly metastatic tumour (melanoma) in mice.

Funding Amount $AUD 430,250.00

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant