Dendritic cell targeted HIV gag protein vaccine provides help to a DNA vaccine including mobilization of protective CD8+ T cells.

ABSTRACT: To improve the efficacy of T cell-based vaccination, we pursued the principle that CD4(+) T cells provide help for functional CD8(+) T cell immunity. To do so, we administered HIV gag to mice successively as protein and DNA vaccines. To achieve strong CD4(+) T cell immunity, the protein vaccine was targeted selectively to DEC-205, a receptor for antigen presentation on dendritic cells. This targeting helped CD8(+) T cell immunity develop to a subsequent DNA vaccine and improved protection to intranasal challenge with recombinant vaccinia gag virus, including more rapid accumulation of CD8(+) T cells in the lung. The helper effect of dendritic cell-targeted protein vaccine was mimicked by immunization with specific MHC II binding HIV gag peptides but not peptides from a disparate Yersinia p

SUBMITTER: Nchinda G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2840096 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature