title: Generation of CTL responses using Kunjin replicon RNA.
abstract: The Kunjin replicon was used to express a polytope that consisted of seven hepatitis C virus cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitopes and one influenza cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitope for vaccination studies. The self-replicating nature of, and expression from, the ribonucleic acid was confirmed in vitro. Initial vaccinations with one dose of Kun-Poly ribonucleic acid showed that an influenza-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte response was elicited more efficiently by intradermal inoculation compared with intramuscular delivery. Two micrograms of ribonucleic acid delivered in the ear pinnae of mice was sufficient to elicit a detectable cytotoxic T lymphocyte response 10 days post-vaccination. Further vaccination studies showed that four of the seven hepatitis C virus cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitopes were able to elicit weak cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses whereas the influenza epitope was able to elicit strong, specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses following three doses of Kun-Poly ribonucleic acid. These studies vindicate the use of the Kunjin replicon as a vector to deliver encoded proteins for the development of cell-mediated immune responses.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Medical Virology Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia and Sir Albert Sakzewski Virus Research Centre, Royal Children's Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Scott M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: Robert W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Tindle
authors.forename: Alexander A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Khromykh
authors.forename: Eric J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Gowans
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006224:Cricetinae; D051379:Mice; D012313:RNA / Q000276:immunology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D014612:Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D014902:West Nile virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D014612:Vaccines; D012313:RNA