title: Cutting edge: priming of CTL by transcutaneous peptide immunization with imiquimod.
abstract: CTL are important in combating cancer and viruses. Therefore, triggering the complete potential of CTL effector functions by new vaccination strategies will not only improve prophylaxis of tumor or virus-related diseases, but also open opportunities for effective therapeutic immunizations. Using transcutaneous immunization, we show that epicutaneous (e.c.)(4) application of an ointment containing a CTL epitope and the TLR7 ligand imiquimod is highly effective in activating T cells in mice using TCR-transgenic CTL or in wild-type mice. Transcutaneous immunization-activated CTL mount a full-blown immune response against the target epitope characterized by proliferation, cytolytic activity, and the production of IFN-gamma that is completely restricted to the epitope used for vaccination. Our results obtained by simple e.c. application of an ointment, without further skin irritating procedures, provide the basis for the development of new, easy to use vaccines against cancer or virus-associated diseases.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Immunology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Gerd
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rechtsteiner
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Warger
authors.forename: Philipp
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Osterloh
authors.forename: Hansjörg
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schild
authors.forename: Markus P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Radsak
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D019264:Adoptive Transfer; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000235:genetics; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*; D000077271:Imiquimod; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000276:immunology; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics; D016192:Resting Phase, Cell Cycle / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000637:transplantation; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D022223:Vaccines, Subunit / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000634:Aminoquinolines; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D022223:Vaccines, Subunit; D000077271:Imiquimod