T cell responses induced by adenoviral vectored vaccines can be adjuvanted by fusion of antigen to the oligomerization domain of C4b-binding protein

PLoS One. 2012;7(9):e44943. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044943. Epub 2012 Sep 12.

Abstract

Viral vectored vaccines have been shown to induce both T cell and antibody responses in animals and humans. However, the induction of even higher level T cell responses may be crucial in achieving vaccine efficacy against difficult disease targets, especially in humans. Here we investigate the oligomerization domain of the α-chain of C4b-binding protein (C4 bp) as a candidate T cell "molecular adjuvant" when fused to malaria antigens expressed by human adenovirus serotype 5 (AdHu5) vectored vaccines in BALB/c mice. We demonstrate that i) C-terminal fusion of an oligomerization domain can enhance the quantity of antigen-specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell responses induced in mice after only a single immunization of recombinant AdHu5, and that the T cells maintain similar functional cytokine profiles; ii) an adjuvant effect is observed for AdHu5 vectors expressing either the 42 kDa C-terminal domain of Plasmodium yoelii merozoite surface protein 1 (PyMSP1(42)) or the 83 kDa ectodomain of P. falciparum strain 3D7 apical membrane antigen 1 (PfAMA1), but not a candidate 128kDa P. falciparum MSP1 biallelic fusion antigen; iii) following two homologous immunizations of AdHu5 vaccines, antigen-specific T cell responses are further enhanced, however, in both BALB/c mice and New Zealand White rabbits no enhancement of functional antibody responses is observed; and iv) that the T cell adjuvant activity of C4 bp is not dependent on a functional Fc-receptor γ-chain in the host, but is associated with the oligomerization of small (<80 kDa) antigens expressed by recombinant AdHu5. The oligomerization domain of C4 bp can thus adjuvant T cell responses induced by AdHu5 vectors against selected antigens and its clinical utility as well as mechanism of action warrant further investigation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae / genetics*
  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / genetics
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Protozoan / genetics
  • Complement C4b-Binding Protein / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Genetic Vectors
  • Malaria / prevention & control*
  • Malaria Vaccines / genetics
  • Merozoite Surface Protein 1 / genetics
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Plasmodium falciparum / genetics
  • Plasmodium yoelii / genetics
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Rabbits
  • Receptors, IgG / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes / virology
  • Vaccines / genetics

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Antigens, Protozoan
  • Complement C4b-Binding Protein
  • Malaria Vaccines
  • Merozoite Surface Protein 1
  • Receptors, IgG
  • Vaccines