en Medical Biology Medical Biology مقاله پژوهشی Original Research Article <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:16px;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><strong><span style="background-color:#16a085;">Background & Objective</span></strong><span style="background-color:#16a085;">:</span></span> DNA vaccines as a new generation of vaccines require adjuvant to improve vaccine immunogenicity; adjuvants can also increase the DNA vaccine efficacy. In this study, the effects of the host&rsquo;s interferon-inducible Mx protein as bio adjuvant and conventional alum adjuvant were evaluated. &nbsp;<br> <span style="color:#ffffff;"><strong><span style="background-color:#16a085;">Materials & Methods</span></strong><span style="background-color:#16a085;">:</span></span> The BALB/c mice were immunized by different prime-boost strategies of the alum and Mx adjuvanted-HA2 DNA vaccine; they were challenged with the specific influenza virus. The potency and safety were evaluated. Humoral immune response was assayed by haemagglutination and virus neutralization tests. The induction of cell-mediated immune responses was determined using an MTT assay. The safety of vaccine regarding side effects occurrence was assessed by observation and histopathologic evaluation.<br> <span style="color:#ffffff;"><strong><span style="background-color:#16a085;">Results</span></strong><span style="background-color:#16a085;">:</span></span> Mx as a host defense peptide was able to increase the immune response against influenza better than alum adjuvant (p<0.01). By HA2 and Mx in prime and boost strategy, the highest level of specific antibodies developed; they are capable of inducing cell-mediated immune responses. Results indicated that Mx in the DNA vaccine could induce stronger immune responses without any side effects; but alum had some local and general reactions.<br> <span style="color:#ffffff;"><strong><span style="background-color:#16a085;">Conclusion:</span></strong></span> The Mx could effectively enhance immune responses; it has the potential to enhance the vaccine immunogenicity.</span></span></p> Influenza vaccine, Humoral and cellular responses, HA2, Mx, bio adjuvant, Alum adjuvant 331 338 http://journal.zums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-5675-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Sina Soleimani s.soleimani@rvsri.ac.ir 5200319475328460063971 5200319475328460063971 Yes Razi Vaccine & Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran Shahla Shahsavandi sh.shahsavandi@rvsri.ac.ir 5200319475328460063972 5200319475328460063972 No Razi Vaccine & Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran