Citation

Shen XY, Kosten TA, Lopez AY, Kinsey BM, Kosten TR, Orson FM. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2013; 129(1-2): 41-48.

Affiliation

Immunology Allergy & Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, The Michael E Debakey Veteran's Medical Affairs Center, Houston, TX, 77030, United States.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.09.007

PMID

23022610

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Vaccines have treatment potential for methamphetamine (MA) addiction. We tested whether a conjugate vaccine against MA (succinyl-methamphetamine-keyhole limpet hemocyanin carrier protein; SMA-KLH) would generate MA antibodies and alter MA-induced behaviors. METHODS: Mice were injected with SMA-KLH and received booster administrations 3 and 20 weeks later. Serum antibody titers reached peak levels by 4-6 weeks, remained at a modest level through 18 weeks, peaked again at 22 weeks after the second boost, and were still elevated at 35 weeks. At 7weeks, groups of vaccinated and non-vaccinated mice were administered one of three MA doses (1, 2 or 3mg/kg) to assess locomotor activity. RESULTS: Non-vaccinated mice showed dose-dependent effects of MA with hypolocomotion at the lowest dose and elevated activity levels at the highest dose. Both dose effects were reduced in SMA-KLH groups, particularly low dose-induced hypolocomotion at later times post MA administration. Separate groups of vaccinated and non-vaccinated mice were trained in MA place conditioning at 30 weeks with either 0 (vehicle) or 0.5mg/kg MA. Although times spent in the MA-paired side did not differ between groups on test vs. baseline sessions, SMA-KLH mice conditioned with MA showed reduced conditioned approach behaviors and decreased conditioned activity levels compared to control groups. CONCLUSION: These data suggest SMA-KLH attenuates the ability of MA to support place conditioning and reduces or delays its locomotor effects. Overall, results support SMA-KLH as a candidate MA vaccine.

Language: en