Intensified and protective CD4+ T cell immunity in mice with anti-dendritic cell HIV gag fusion antibody vaccine

J Exp Med. 2006 Mar 20;203(3):607-17. doi: 10.1084/jem.20052005. Epub 2006 Feb 27.

Abstract

Current human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine approaches emphasize prime boost strategies comprising multiple doses of DNA vaccine and recombinant viral vectors. We are developing a protein-based approach that directly harnesses principles for generating T cell immunity. Vaccine is delivered to maturing dendritic cells in lymphoid tissue by engineering protein antigen into an antibody to DEC-205, a receptor for antigen presentation. Here we characterize the CD4+ T cell immune response to HIV gag and compare efficacy with other vaccine strategies in a single dose. DEC-205-targeted HIV gag p24 or p41 induces stronger CD4+ T cell immunity relative to high doses of gag protein, HIV gag plasmid DNA, or recombinant adenovirus-gag. High frequencies of interferon (IFN)-gamma- and interleukin 2-producing CD4+ T cells are elicited, including double cytokine-producing cells. In addition, the response is broad because the primed mice respond to an array of peptides in different major histocompatibility complex haplotypes. Long-lived T cell memory is observed. After subcutaneous vaccination, CD4+ and IFN-gamma-dependent protection develops to a challenge with recombinant vaccinia-gag virus at a mucosal surface, the airway. We suggest that a DEC-targeted vaccine, in part because of an unusually strong and protective CD4+ T cell response, will improve vaccine efficacy as a stand-alone approach or with other modalities.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • AIDS Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • AIDS Vaccines / genetics
  • AIDS Vaccines / immunology*
  • Adenoviridae
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / genetics
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antigen Presentation / drug effects
  • Antigen Presentation / immunology
  • Antigens, CD / genetics
  • Antigens, CD / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic
  • Gene Products, gag / administration & dosage
  • Gene Products, gag / genetics
  • Gene Products, gag / immunology*
  • Genetic Vectors / administration & dosage
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • Genetic Vectors / immunology
  • HIV-1 / genetics
  • HIV-1 / immunology*
  • Haplotypes / genetics
  • Haplotypes / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Mucosal / drug effects
  • Immunity, Mucosal / immunology
  • Immunologic Memory / drug effects
  • Immunologic Memory / immunology
  • Injections, Subcutaneous
  • Lectins, C-Type / deficiency
  • Lectins, C-Type / genetics
  • Lectins, C-Type / immunology*
  • Major Histocompatibility Complex / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C3H
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / deficiency
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / immunology*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / immunology
  • Vaccinia virus

Substances

  • AIDS Vaccines
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, CD
  • DEC-205 receptor
  • Gene Products, gag
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins