Recombinant parvovirus-like particles as an antigen carrier: a novel nonreplicative exogenous antigen to elicit protective antiviral cytotoxic T cells.
To develop a strategy that promotes efficient antiviral immunity, hybrid virus-like particles (VLP) were prepared by self-assembly of the modified porcine parvovirus VP2 capsid protein carrying a CD8(+) T cell epitope from the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus nucleoprotein. Immunization of mice with these hybrid pseudoparticles, without adjuvant, induced strong cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses against both peptide-coated- or virus-infected-target cells. This CD8(+) class I-restricted cytotoxic activity persisted in vivo for at least 9 months. Furthermore, the hybrid parvovirus-like particles were able to induce a complete protection of mice against a lethal lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection. To our knowledge, this study represents the first demonstration that hybrid nonreplicative VLP carrying a single viral CTL epitope can induce protection against a viral lethal challenge, in the absence of any adjuvant. These recombinant particles containing a single type of protein are easily produced by the baculovirus expression system and, therefore, represent a promising and safe strategy to induce strong CTL responses for the elimination of virus-infected cells.
Sedlik
C
C
Unité de Biologie des Régulations Immunitaires, Institut Pasteur, 25 rue du Docteur Roux, 75724 Paris cedex 15, France.
Saron
M
M
Sarraseca
J
J
Casal
I
I
Leclerc
C
C
D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D004274:DNA, Recombinant / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007114:Immunization; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D017992:Parvovirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D004274:DNA, Recombinant