title: Immunization of mice with lentiviral vectors targeted to MHC class II+ cells is due to preferential transduction of dendritic cells in vivo.
abstract: Gene transfer vectors such as lentiviral vectors offer versatile possibilities to express transgenic antigens for vaccination purposes. However, viral vaccines leading to broad transduction and transgene expression in vivo, are undesirable. Therefore, strategies capable of directing gene transfer only to professional antigen-presenting cells would increase the specific activity and safety of genetic vaccines. A lentiviral vector pseudotype specific for murine major histocompatibilty complex class II (LV-MHCII) was recently developed and the present study aims to characterize the in vivo biodistribution profile and immunization potential of this vector in mice. Whereas the systemic administration of a vector pseudotyped with a ubiquitously-interacting envelope led to prominent detection of vector copies in the liver of animals, the injection of an equivalent amount of LV-MHCII resulted in a more specific biodistribution of vector and transgene. Copies of LV-MHCII were found only in secondary lymphoid organs, essentially in CD11c+ dendritic cells expressing the transgene whereas B cells were not efficiently targeted in vivo, contrary to expectations based on in vitro testing. Upon a single injection of LV-MHCII, naive mice mounted specific effector CD4 and CD8 T cell responses against the intracelllular transgene product with the generation of Th1 cytokines, development of in vivo cytotoxic activity and establishment of T cell immune memory. The targeting of dendritic cells by recombinant viral vaccines must therefore be assessed in vivo but this strategy is feasible, effective for immunization and cross-presentation and constitutes a potentially safe alternative to limit off-target gene expression in gene-based vaccination strategies with integrative vectors.
authors: Inserm, U 951, Molecular Immunology and Innovative Biotherapies, Genethon, Evry, France; UMR_S951, University of Evry, Genethon, Evry, France; Genethon, Evry, France.
authors: Séverine
authors: S
authors: Ciré
authors: Inserm, U 951, Molecular Immunology and Innovative Biotherapies, Genethon, Evry, France; UMR_S951, University of Evry, Genethon, Evry, France; Genethon, Evry, France.
authors: Sylvie
authors: S
authors: Da Rocha
authors: Inserm, U 951, Molecular Immunology and Innovative Biotherapies, Genethon, Evry, France; UMR_S951, University of Evry, Genethon, Evry, France; Genethon, Evry, France.
authors: Roseline
authors: R
authors: Yao
authors: Inserm, U 951, Molecular Immunology and Innovative Biotherapies, Genethon, Evry, France; UMR_S951, University of Evry, Genethon, Evry, France; Genethon, Evry, France.
authors: Sylvain
authors: S
authors: Fisson
authors: Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany.
authors: Christian J
authors: CJ
authors: Buchholz
authors: Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors: Mary K
authors: MK
authors: Collins
authors: Inserm, U 951, Molecular Immunology and Innovative Biotherapies, Genethon, Evry, France; UMR_S951, University of Evry, Genethon, Evry, France; Genethon, Evry, France.
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Galy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D039521:CD11c Antigen / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D015870:Gene Expression; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects*; D007114:Immunization; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D016086:Lentivirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D058408:Th1-Th2 Balance; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D039521:CD11c Antigen; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014765:Viral Vaccines