Recombinant parvovirus-like particles as an antigen carrier: A novel nonreplicative exogenous antigen to elicit protective antiviral cytotoxic T cells

摘要

To develop a strategy that promotes efficient antiviral immunity, hybrid virus-like particles (VLP) were prepared by self-assembly of the modified porcine parvovirus VP2 capsid protein carrying a CD8~+ T cell epitope from the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus nucleoprotein. Immuni- zation of mice with these hybrid pseudoparticles, without adjuvant, induced strong cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) re- sponses against both peptide-coated- or virus-infected-target cells. This CD8~+ class I-restricted cytotoxic activity persisted in vivo for at least 9 months. Furthermore, the hybrid parvo- virus-like particles were able to induce a complete protection of mice against a lethal lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection.