Antigen Targeting to Dendritic Cells Allows the Identification of a CD4 T-Cell Epitope within an Immunodominant Trypanosoma cruzi Antigen

Author(s)

Rampazo, Eline V. ^[1] ; Amorim, Kelly N. S. ^[1] ; Yamamoto, Marcio M. ^[1] ; Panatieri, Raquel Hoffmann ^[1] ; Rodrigues, Mauricio M. ^{[2, 3]} ; Boscardin, Silvia B. ^{[2, 1]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biomed Sci, Dept Parasitol, Lab Antigen Targeting Dendrit Cells, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Natl Inst Sci & Technol Vaccines, Belo Horizonte, MG - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, CTCMol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLoS One; v. 10, n. 2 FEB 13 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 11

Abstract

Targeting antigens to dendritic cells (DCs) by using hybrid monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against DC receptors is known to improve activation and support long-lasting T cell responses. In the present work, we used the mAb alpha DEC205 fused to the Trypanosoma cruzi amastigote surface protein 2 (ASP-2) to identify a region of this protein recognized by specific T cells. The hybrid alpha DEC-ASP2 mAb was successfully generated and preserved its ability to bind the DEC205 receptor. Immunization of BALB/c mice with the recombinant mAb in the presence of polyriboinosinic: polyribocytidylic acid (poly (I:C)) specifically enhanced the number of IFN-gamma producing cells and CD4+ T cell proliferation when compared to mice immunized with a mAb without receptor affinity or with the non-targeted ASP-2 protein. The strong immune response induced in mice immunized with the hybrid alpha DEC-ASP2 mAb allowed us to identify an ASP-2-specific CD4+ T cell epitope recognized by the BALB/c MHCII haplotype. We conclude that targeting parasite antigens to DCs is a useful strategy to enhance T cell mediated immune responses facilitating the identification of new T-cell epitopes. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 07/08648-9 - Recombinant antigen targeting to dendritic cells in vivo: a new strategy for the development of vaccines
• Grantee: Silvia Beatriz Boscardin
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants