N-Terminal Fatty Acids of NEFMUT Are Required for the CD8+ T-Cell Immunogenicity of In Vivo Engineered Extracellular Vesicles.

ABSTRACT: We recently described a cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocyte (CTL) vaccine platform based on the intramuscular (i.m.) injection of DNA eukaryotic vectors expressing antigens of interest fused at the C-terminus of HIV-1 Nefmut, i.e., a functionally defective mutant that is incorporated at quite high levels into exosomes/extracellular vesicles (EVs). This system has been proven to elicit strong CTL immunity against a plethora of both viral and tumor antigens, as well as inhibit both transplantable and orthotopic tumors in mice. However, a number of open issues remain regarding the underlying mechanism. Here we provide evidence that hindering the uploading into EVs of Nefmut-derived products by removing the Nefmut N-terminal fatty acids leads to a dramatic reduction of the downstream antigen-specific

SUBMITTER: Chiozzini C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7350016 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature