Important note: Information in this article was accurate in July 2003. The state of the art June have changed since the publication date. |
AIDSWEEKLY Plus; Monday, July 7, 2003
Michael Greer, Senior Medical Writer
"Dendritic cells (DC) are potent antigen-presenting cells that play a crucial role in antigen-specific immune responses," explained Xiuqing Wang and colleagues at the University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, New York and the University of Halle-Wittenberg in Halle, Germany. "Thus, the targeting of exogenous antigens to DC has become a popular approach for cancer immunotherapy and vaccine development."
An MCMV vector was used to induce expression of a key HIV glycoprotein by infected DCs, Wang and coauthors reported.
The researchers first developed an MCMV vector encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). Cultured human monocyte-derived DCs infected with this vector expressed high levels of EGFP, they said.
Next, an MCMV vector coding for the HIV coat protein gp120 was developed and used to infect DCs in vitro. Treated DCs elicited a proliferative response from autologous gp120-specific T cells, study data showed.
DCs infected with MCMV vectors did not suffer a significant loss of normal immunostimulatory function (Murine cytomegalovirus abortively infects human dendritic cells, leading to expression and presentation of virally vectored genes. J Virol. 2003 Jul;77(13):7182-92.
"Taken together, these results suggest that MCMV may have potential utility as a vector for human vaccine development," Wang and colleagues concluded.
The corresponding author for this report is Stephen Dewhurst, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Ave., Box 672, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. E-mail: stephen_dewhurst@urmc.rochester.edu.
Key points reported in this study include:
Murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) vectors could be the basis for an effective HIV vaccine
An MCMV vector triggered efficient expression of HIV gp120 by infected human dendritic cells (DCs)
Treated DCs elicited a proliferative response by autologous gp120-specific T cells
This article was prepared by AIDS Weekly editors from staff and other reports.
Reference
Wang X, Messerle M, Sapinoro R, et al., "Murine cytomegalovirus abortively infects human dendritic cells, leading to expression and presentation of virally vectored genes", J Virol. 2003 Jul;77(13):7182-92.
PubMED Related articles Search
030707
AW030701
Copyright © 2003 - Charles Henderson, Publisher. All rights Reserved. Permission to reproduce granted to AEGIS by Charles W. Henderson. Authorization to reproduce for personal use granted granted by C. W. Henderson, Publisher, provided that the fee of US$4.50 per copy, per page is paid directly to the Copyright Clearance Center, 27 Congress Street, Salem, Massachusetts 01970, USA. Published by Charles Henderson, Publisher. Editorial & Publishing Office: P.O. Box 5528, Atlanta, GA 30307-0528 / Telephone: (800) 633-4931; Subscription Office: P.O. Box 830409, Birmingham, AL 35283-0409 / FAX: (205) 995-1588 http://www.newsrx.net
AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, iMetrikus, Inc., the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2003. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright © 1980,2003. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.