Open AccessCCL28 Induces Mucosal Homing of HIV-1-Specific IgA-Secreting Plasma Cells in Mice Immunized with HIV-1 Virus-Like Particles
Author(s) -
Veronica Rai,
Gérard Dubois,
Vladimir Temchura,
Klaus Überla,
Alberto Clivio,
Manuela Nebuloni,
Eleonora Lauri,
Daria Trabattoni,
Francisco Veas,
Mario Clerici
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0026979
Subject(s) - ccl19 , ccr10 , chemokine , virology , virus , immunology , lamina propria , biology , immune system , chemokine receptor , genetics , epithelium
Mucosae-associated epithelial chemokine (MEC or CCL28) binds to CCR3 and CCR10 and recruits IgA-secreting plasma cells (IgA-ASCs) in the mucosal lamina propria. The ability of this chemokine to enhance migration of IgA-ASCs to mucosal sites was assessed in a mouse immunization model using HIV-1 IIIB Virus-like particles (VLPs). Mice receiving either HIV-1 IIIB VLPs alone, CCL28 alone, or the irrelevant CCL19 chemokine were used as controls. Results showed a significantly increased CCR3 and CCR10 expression on CD19 + splenocytes of HIV-1 IIIB VPL-CCL28-treated mice. HIV-1 Env-specific IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-5 production, total IgA, anti-Env IgA as well as gastro-intestinal mucosal IgA-secreting plasma cells were also significantly augmented in these mice. Notably, sera and vaginal secretions from HIV-1 IIIB VLP-CCL28-treated mice exhibited an enhanced neutralizing activity against both a HIV-1/B-subtype laboratory strain and a heterologous HIV-1/C-subtype primary isolate. These data suggest that CCL28 could be useful in enhancing the IgA immune response that will likely play a pivotal role in prophylactic HIV vaccines.