Hybrid human immunodeficiency virus Gag particles as an antigen carrier system: induction of cytotoxic T-cell and humoral responses by a Gag:V3 fusion.
In attempts to increase the immunogenicity of recombinant antigens, a number of particulate antigen presentation systems have been developed. In this study, we used human immunodeficiency virus Gag particles as carriers for the human immunodeficiency virus envelope V3 region. Gag:V3 fusion proteins were expressed from baculovirus expression vectors; they migrated to the insect cell membrane and budded from the cells as hybrid particles. An immunization study carried out with rats showed that the particles elicited a strong anti-Gag antibody response and a weak antibody response to the V3 region. A strong anti-V3 cytolytic T-cell response was elicited in immunized mice. These data show that retroviral Gag particles can be used as antigen presentation vehicles.
Griffiths
J C
JC
British Bio-technology Ltd., Cowley, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Harris
S J
SJ
Layton
G T
GT
Berrie
E L
EL
French
T J
TJ
Burns
N R
NR
Adams
S E
SE
Kingsman
A J
AJ
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D016367:Baculoviridae / Q000235:genetics; D001483:Base Sequence; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D004337:Drug Carriers; D015686:Gene Products, env / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006678:HIV / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009036:Moths; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D004337:Drug Carriers; D015686:Gene Products, env; D015683:Gene Products, gag; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins