Potential of transfected muscle cells to contribute to DNA vaccine immunogenicity

J Immunol. 2007 Jul 1;179(1):329-36. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.179.1.329.

Abstract

The mechanism(s) by which DNA vaccines trigger the activation of Ag-specific T cells is incompletely understood. A series of in vivo and in vitro experiments indicates plasmid transfection stimulates muscle cells to up-regulate expression of MHC class I and costimulatory molecules and to produce multiple cytokines and chemokines. Transfected muscle cells gain the ability to directly present Ag to CD8 T cells through an IFN-regulatory factor 3-dependent process. These findings suggest that transfected muscle cells at the site of DNA vaccination may contribute to the magnitude and/or duration of the immune response initiated by professional APCs.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigen Presentation / genetics
  • Antigen Presentation / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cell Movement / immunology
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / biosynthesis
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / genetics
  • Humans
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-3 / physiology
  • Lymphocyte Activation / genetics
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Plasmids
  • Quadriceps Muscle / cytology*
  • Quadriceps Muscle / immunology*
  • Quadriceps Muscle / metabolism
  • Transfection* / methods
  • Vaccines, DNA / administration & dosage*
  • Vaccines, DNA / genetics
  • Vaccines, DNA / immunology*

Substances

  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • IRF3 protein, human
  • Interferon Regulatory Factor-3
  • Irf3 protein, mouse
  • Vaccines, DNA