Increased potency of Fc-receptor-targeted antigens

A major challenge for using native and modified T cell epitopes to induce or suppress immunity relates to achieving efficient uptake and processing by antigen-presenting cells (APC) in vivo. IgG Fc receptors, which are expressed constitutively by professional APC including monocytes and dendritic cells, have long been known to mediate antigen uptake in a manner leading to efficient T cell activation. We have previously demonstrated enhanced presentation of antigenic and antagonistic peptides by targeting them to the type I Fc receptor for IgG (Fc gamma RI, CD64) on human monocytes. In the present report we review the literature suggesting that CD64-targeted antigens are likely to be effective in vivo, and present data demonstrating enhanced immunogenicity in CD64 transgenic mice of a fusion protein that combines the specificities of HIV gp120 and the humanized anti-CD64 monoclonal antibody H22. Overall, these studies suggest that targeting antigens to CD64 represents an effective approach to enhancing the effectiveness of vaccines in vivo.