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Yeast retrotransposon particles as antigen delivery systems
A J Kingsman1, N R Burns, G T Layton
1British Bio-technology Ltd., Oxford, United Kingdom.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|May 31, 1995
Summary
Yeast Ty virus-like particles (VLPs) carrying HIV antigens effectively stimulate potent antibody and T-cell immune responses. These hybrid VLPs show promise as immunogens for combating HIV infection and AIDS.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Immunology
- Virology
Background:
- Advances in recombinant protein technology enable the creation of antigens with multiple immunological regions.
- Yeast Ty retrotransposon protein self-assembles into virus-like particles (VLPs), serving as an antigen-carrier system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the immunogenicity of hybrid Ty-VLPs carrying specific HIV antigens.
- To assess the potential of these VLPs as vaccine candidates against HIV/AIDS.
Main Methods:
- Production of Ty-fusion proteins designed to self-assemble into hybrid VLPs.
- Characterization of immune responses (antibody and T-cell proliferation) in animal models and human volunteers following immunization with p24-VLPs and V3-VLPs.
Main Results:
- Hybrid VLPs carrying HIV p24 and V3 antigens induced potent antibody and T-cell proliferative responses.
- V3-VLPs demonstrated enhanced lymphoproliferative responses compared to other antigen formats.
- V3-VLPs elicited potent, MHC class I-restricted CTL responses mediated by CD8+ cells in mice without adjuvant.
Conclusions:
- Hybrid Ty-VLPs are effective in inducing both humoral and cellular immunity against HIV.
- These particulate immunogens represent a promising strategy for developing vaccines against HIV and other infectious diseases.