Antibodies engineered with IgD specificity efficiently deliver integrated T-cell epitopes for antigen presentation by B cells.
We have developed a strategy for improving the stimulation of T cells during immune responses by constructing recombinant antibodies that enhance the delivery of antigen to antigen-presenting cells, such as B cells. These antibodies have variable regions specific for surface molecules on B cells, and a constant region with an inserted antigen. In vitro, such antibodies make B cells approximately 1000-fold more efficient at presenting antigen and stimulating specific T cells. In vivo, the antibodies turn B cells of the spleen into potent stimulators of T cells. This approach may be useful for the generation of new vaccines.
Institute of Immunology and Rheumatology, University of Oslo, Norway. elunde@bio.uio.no
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Lunde
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Munthe
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Vabø
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Sandlie
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Bogen
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology*; D005803:Genes, Immunoglobulin; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology; D007072:Immunoglobulin D / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000235:genetics; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D016513:Mice, SCID; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015202:Protein Engineering; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014611:Vaccination
D000906:Antibodies; D000939:Epitopes; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D007072:Immunoglobulin D; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region; D011994:Recombinant Proteins