The effect of pre-existing immunity on the capacity of influenza virosomes to induce cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity.
Protein antigens encapsulated in virosomes generated from influenza virus can induce antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses. In the present study we determined, in a murine model system, whether pre-existing immunity against influenza virus hampers the induction of a CTL response. CTL induction was only slightly reduced by pre-injection of influenza virus-specific antibodies or pre-exposure to influenza virus. Both pretreatments resulted in the same level of reduction, suggesting that virus-specific antibodies rather than T cell responses account for the reduction. Furthermore, a booster immunization enhanced CTL activation, indicating that virosome-specific immunity induced by a prime immunization does not hamper the booster effect. In conclusion, CTL induction against virosome-encapsulated protein antigens is not significantly inhibited by pre-existing humoral or cellular immunity against influenza virus.
de Mare
Arjan
A
Department of Medical Microbiology, Molecular Virology Section, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Bungener
Laura B
LB
Regts
Joke
J
de Vries-Idema
Jacqueline
J
van der Zee
Ate G J
AG
Wilschut
Jan
J
Daemen
Toos
T
D000818:Animals; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*; D022701:Virosomes / Q000276:immunology*
D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D022701:Virosomes; D007371:Interferon-gamma