An Oral Vaccine Against NMDAR1 with Efficacy in Experimental Stroke and Epilepsy

• DOI: 10.1126/science.287.5457.1453
• Publication Date: 2002-07-27T09:40:21Z
• Authors: Matthew J. During; Charles W. Symes; Patricia A. Lawlor; John Lin; Jane Dunning; Helen L. Fitzsimons; David Poulsen; Paola Leone; Ruian Xu; Bridget L. Dicker; Janusz Lipski; Deborah Young
• Keywords: Stroke

The brain is generally considered immunoprivileged, although increasing examples of immunological responses to antigens, neuronal expression major histocompatibility class I genes, and neurological autoimmunity have been recognized. An adeno-associated virus (AAV) vaccine generated autoantibodies that targeted a specific protein, the NR1 subunit N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptor. After peroral administration AAV vaccine, transgene persisted for at least 5 months was associated with robust humoral response in absence significant cell-mediated response. This single-dose strong anti-epileptic neuroprotective activity rats both kainate-induced seizure model also middle cerebral artery occlusion stroke 1 following vaccination. Thus, vaccination strategy targeting proteins feasible may therapeutic potential disorders.