Targeting dendritic cells to enhance DNA vaccine potency

Cancer Res. 2001 May 1;61(9):3704-11.

Abstract

DNA vaccination that can induce both cellular and humoral immune responses has become an attractive immunization strategy against cancer and infection. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a critical role in the induction of immune responses by DNA vaccination. However, a major problem of DNA vaccination is its limited potency, because only a very limited fraction of injected DNA molecules are taken up by DCS: In this study, we describe a novel DNA vaccination strategy to enhance uptake and presentation of antigens by DCS: Specifically, we developed a DNA vaccine based upon expression of a model hepatitis B virus (HBV) e antigen fused to an IgG Fc fragment. After vaccination, the DNA are taken up by cells that produce and secrete the antigen-Fc fusion proteins. The secreted fusion proteins, in addition to inducing B cells, are efficiently captured and processed by DCs via receptor-mediated endocytosis and then presented to the MHC class II and as -I (cross-priming). The results of this study demonstrate that broad enhancement of antigen-specific CD4+ helper, CD8+ cytotoxic T-cell, and B-cell responses can be achieved by this DNA vaccination strategy. Thus, the strategy capable of inducing all arms of the adaptive immunity may provide a novel, generic design for the development of therapeutic and preventive DNA vaccines.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation / immunology
  • Antigen Presentation / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Female
  • Hepatitis B e Antigens / genetics
  • Hepatitis B e Antigens / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin Fragments / genetics
  • Immunoglobulin Fragments / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin G / genetics
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Immunotherapy, Active / methods*
  • Immunotherapy, Adoptive / methods*
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Receptors, IgG / genetics
  • Receptors, IgG / immunology
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology
  • Th1 Cells / immunology
  • Vaccines, DNA / immunology*

Substances

  • Hepatitis B e Antigens
  • Immunoglobulin Fragments
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Receptors, IgG
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Vaccines, DNA