Figure 2. Evaluation of antibody responses following subcutaneous immunization with p24 protein adsorbed or mixed with spores.

Mouse groups (n = 5) were immunized (three doses on days 0, 14 and 28) with 2×10⁹ spores (□), 700 ng of p24 only (○), 700 ng of p24 in combination with 2×10⁹ spores (▪) or 700 ng of p24 adsorbed at 2×10⁹ spores (•). Levels of anti-p24 (A and B) and anti-spores (C and D) specific IgG antibodies were detected in serum samples at 13, 27 and 41 days after immunization in BALB/c and C57 BL/6 mice. The results are presented as the mean ± s.e.m. of three independent experiments, and the values obtained from PBS immunized mice were subtracted from each group. *** p<0.001 when compared with mice immunized with p24 only.