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Synergistic antibody induction by antigen–CD40 ligand fusion protein as improved immunogen
Author(s) -
Li Wei
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.297
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1365-2567
pISSN - 0019-2805
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2005.02141.x
Subject(s) - immunogen , fusion protein , antigen , green fluorescent protein , antibody , cd40 , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , b cell receptor , b cell , chemistry , monoclonal antibody , immunology , recombinant dna , cytotoxic t cell , in vitro , biochemistry , gene
Summary Full scale B‐cell activation requires not only B‐cell receptor (BCR) engagement with antigen, but also costimulatory signals provided by T helper cells through the CD40–CD40 ligand (CD40L) interaction. It is hypothesized that a fusion protein of an antigen and soluble CD40L (CD40LT) would selectively target the costimulation to antigen‐specific B cells, leading to synergy in the antibody response. This hypothesis was investigated by fusing green fluorescence protein (GFP), a generic antigen, with mouse CD40LT. Studies revealed that immunization in mice with the plasmid encoding GFP–CD40LT fusion protein led to synergistic induction of GFP‐specific antibodies, while control plasmid(s) for GFP, CD40LT, or GFP plus CD40LT did not. Immunization with a single dose of the fusion protein also provoked a vigorous GFP‐specific immunoglobulin G1 antibody response, but not other antibody isotypes. These results suggest that GFP–CD40LT fusion protein induces a GFP‐specific B‐cell activation and antibody response in an antigen‐guided fashion. The potential application of this novel strategy in vaccine development is discussed.