title: "Troy-bodies": recombinant antibodies that target T cell epitopes to antigen presenting cells.
abstract: Targeting of antigens to antigen presenting cells (APC) results in enhanced antigen presentation and T cell activation. In this paper, we describe a novel targeting reagent denoted "Troy-bodies", namely recombinant antibodies with APC-specific V regions and C regions with integrated T cell epitopes. We have made such antibodies with V regions specific for either IgD or MHC class II, and four different T cell epitopes have been tested. All four epitopes could be introduced into loops of C domains without disrupting Ig folding, and they could be released and presented by APC. Furthermore, whether IgD- or MHC-specific, the molecules enhanced T cell stimulation compared to non-specific control antibodies in vitro as well as in vivo. Using this technology, specific reagents can be designed that target selected antigenic peptides to an APC of choice. Troy-bodies may therefore be useful for manipulation of immune responses, and in particular for vaccination purposes.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunology, University of Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lund
authors.forename: I B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Western
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Eidem
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sandlie
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bogen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D000939:Epitopes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007072:Immunoglobulin D / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008958:Models, Molecular; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D000939:Epitopes; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D007072:Immunoglobulin D; D011994:Recombinant Proteins