title: Efficient homologous prime-boost strategies for T cell vaccination based on virus-like particles.
abstract: Induction of high frequencies of specific T cells by vaccination requires prime-boost regimens. To reach optimal immune responses, it is necessary to use different vectors for priming and boosting as e.g. DNA vaccination followed by boosting with a recombinant viral vector. Here, we show that vaccines based on virus-like particles (VLP) displaying peptide epitopes are equally effective to induce CTL responses if used in a homologous or heterologous prime-boost setting. Strikingly, high frequencies (>20% of CD8(+) cells) of protective CTL could be induced and maintained by weekly injection of VLP. Thus, the use of VLP may avoid the requirement for complicated heterologous prime-boost regimens, facilitating the development of effective T cell-based vaccines.
authors.affiliation: Cytos Biotechnology AG, Schlieren-Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.forename: Edwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Meijerink
authors.forename: Daniel E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Speiser
authors.forename: Alain C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Tissot
authors.forename: Indulis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cielens
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Renhof
authors.forename: Andris
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dishlers
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pumpens
authors.forename: Martin F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Bachmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018899:CpG Islands / Q000276:immunology; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods*; D019444:Vaccines, DNA; D014615:Vaccinia / Q000276:immunology; D014616:Vaccinia virus / Q000276:immunology; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D014771:Virion / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D019444:Vaccines, DNA; D014765:Viral Vaccines