[A novel strategy for development of universal tumor vaccine: a DC-targeted adenovirus encoding hTRT]

To explore the feasibility of constructing a dendritic cell targeted adenovirus as a possible universal tumor vaccine.

The cDNA of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTRT) from pBABE-PURO-hTERT was subcloned into pAdTrack-CMV. Recombinant adenovirus for hTRT was constructed in AdEasy system. The confirmed recombinant adenovirus plasmid was transfected into 293 cells to generate the recombinant adenovirus. Later the recombinant adenovirus was multiplied, purified and modified with mannan as a vaccine to immunize mice.

An obvious cytopathic effect was observed with the rescue of recombinant adenovirus. The expression of hTRT was confirmed by PCR and Western blot analysis. Mannan modified adenovirus stained positively by periodic acid Schiff stain, and expression of the adenovirus was found mainly restricted in dendritic cells (DC) in spleen of mice.

A DC-targeted adenovirus was constructed. This might be helpful (or the development of universal tumor vaccine in future.