title: Targeted antigen presentation using crosslinked antibody heteroaggregates.
abstract: We have targeted protein antigens to antigen-presenting cells in vitro by using antibody heteroaggregates containing an antibody against a protein antigen covalently crosslinked to an antibody against a target structure on the surface of the antigen-presenting cells. Antigen presentation was assessed by measurement of lymphokine released by antigen-specific T cell hybridomas. Depending on the experimental conditions, the crosslinked antibodies decreased the amount of antigen required to give a response by the hybridomas by factors of 10(2) to 10(3). Enhanced presentation occurred when antigen was targeted to MHC class I and class II molecules, surface immunoglobulin, or Fc gamma receptors on the surface of the murine B cell lymphoma-hybridoma, TA3. An enhancement of antigen presentation also occurred when antigen was targeted to surface IgD, or class I and class II MHC molecules on murine splenic B cells, and when antigen was targeted to class I and class II molecules on irradiated adherent spleen cells. No response was seen when antigen was targeted to Fc gamma R on B cells or adherent spleen cells. The ability of each crosslinked antibody to enhance presentation paralleled the total amount of each that bound to the surface of the antigen-presenting cells. Antigen presentation, mediated by crosslinked antibody, was antigen-specific and I-A restricted. The presentation of one antigen by using crosslinked antibody did not result in enhanced presentation of a second, bystander antigen. These results suggest that a novel means of stimulating immune responses may be possible in vivo, by targeting antigen to surface structures on antigen-presenting cells.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002460:Cell Line; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006825:Hybridomas / Q000378:metabolism; D007072:Immunoglobulin D / Q000276:immunology; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008805:Mice, Inbred A; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / Q000276:immunology; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000276:immunology; D017452:Receptors, IgG; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens; D007072:Immunoglobulin D; D008222:Lymphokines; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell; D011961:Receptors, Fc; D017452:Receptors, IgG