A recombinant human HLA-class I antigen linked to dextran elicits innate and adaptive immune responses

The objective of this study was to produce and evaluate the immunogenic potential of a recombinant HLA-class I antigen linked to dextran. The HLA-A*0201 heavy chain and beta2 microglobulin were cloned by PCR amplification of overlapping oligonucleotides and produced in E. coli. These were assembled with a CMV binding peptide motif, the HLA complex was biotinylated and bound by streptavidin coated dextran at a ratio of 24 HLA to 1 dextran molecule (termed Dextramer). Allostimulation of human PBMC in vitro and in vivo immunization of Balb c mice with the HLA-A*0201 construct elicited CD4+ and CD8+ T cell proliferative responses, IgG specific antibodies in mice and in human T cell proliferation and APOBEC3G mRNA. These adaptive and innate immune responses induced by a novel recombinant HLA construct in human cells and mice suggest their application as a potential vaccine candidate against HIV infection.