Augmentation of natural immunity to a proinflammatory cytokine (TNF-alpha) by targeted DNA vaccine confers long-lasting resistance to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

TNF-alpha is thought to be a key pro-inflammatory cytokine in T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases, particularly in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) serves as an animal model for MS. The current study observes a notable TNF-alpha-specific antibody titer generated during the course of EAE, apparently not sufficient to prevent the development of disease. Administration of TNF-alpha-naked DNA vaccine enhanced the production of TNF-alpha-specific antibody titer and conferred EAE resistance. These antibodies were found to be neutralizing in vitro and capable of inhibiting the development of disease when transferred to other EAE rats. Thus, modulation of EAE with TNF-alpha DNA vaccines enhances the regulation of natural immunity to a self proinflammatory cytokine and provides a tool by which the immune system is encouraged to elicit anti-self protective immunity to restrain its own harmful reactivity when such a response is needed.