A lentiviral vector encoding fusion of light invariant chain and mycobacterial antigens induces protective CD4+ T cell immunity

Lentiviral vectors (LVs) are highly efficient at inducing CD8(+) T cell responses. However, LV-encoded antigens are processed inside the cytosol of antigen-presenting cells, which does not directly communicate with the endosomal major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) presentation pathway. LVs are thus poor at inducing CD4(+) T cell response. To overcome this limitation, we devised a strategy whereby LV-encoded antigens are extended at their N-terminal end with the MHC-II-associated light invariant chain (li), which contains an endosome-targeting signal sequence. When evaluated with an LV-encoded polyantigen composed of CD4(+) T cell targets from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, intranasal vaccination in mice triggers pulmonary polyfunctional CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell responses. Adjuvantation of these LVs extends the mucosal immunity to Th17 and Tc17 responses. A systemic prime and an intranasal boost with one of these LV induces protection against M. tuberculosis. This strategy improves the protective power of LVs against infections and cancers, where CD4(+) T cell immunity plays an important role.

Automated summary

In this study, a strategy was devised to enhance the CD4(+) T cell response of Lentiviral vectors (LVs) by extending the LV-encoded antigens with MHC-II-associated light invariant chain. The results showed that this strategy improved the protective efficacy against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and extended the mucosal immune response.