IN VIVO ACTIVATION OF ANTIGEN PRESENTING CELLS FOR ENHANCEMENT OF IMMUNE RESPONSES INDUCED BY VIRUS LIKE PARTICLES

摘要

The invention relates to the finding that stimulation of antigen presenting cell (APC) activation using substances such as anti-CD40 antibodies or DNA oligomers rich in non-methylated C and G (CpGs) can dramatically enhance the specific T cell response obtained after vaccination with recombinant virus like particles (VLPs) coupled, fused or otherwise attached to antigens. Whil e vaccination with recombinant VLPs fused to a cytotoxic T cell (CTL) epitope of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus induced low levels cytolytic activity onl y and did not induce efficient anti-viral protection, VLPs injected together with anti-CD40 antibodies or CpGs induced strong CTL activity and full anti- viral protection. Thus, stimulation of APC-activation through antigen presenting cell activators such as anti- CD40 antibodies or CpGs can exhibit a potent adjuvant effect for vaccination with VLPs coupled, fused or attached otherwise to antigens.