Lentiviral vector-transduced dendritic cells induce specific T cell response in a nonhuman primate model

Hum Gene Ther. 2005 Apr;16(4):527-32. doi: 10.1089/hum.2005.16.527.

Abstract

Dendritic cells (DCs) are effective in stimulating and controlling the outcome of T cell responses. Human immunodeficiency virus type 1-based lentiviral vectors can achieve sustained transduction of genes/antigens in dividing and nondividing cells, thus representing a candidate vector for stable expression of antigens in DCs. We previously established conditions for transduction of purified cytokine mobilized rhesus CD34(+) cells in vitro, and transplantation of the autologous transduced cells in a nonhuman primate model in vivo. In the present study, we transplanted DCs derived from EGFP-transduced CD34(+) cells into nonmyeloablated rhesus macaques. Transplantation of DCs stably expressing EGFP into autologous animals induces persistent, long-lived (up to 100 weeks) EGFP-specific T cell responses. Of note, no humoral responses against EGFP are detected in the transplanted animals. These studies provide, to our knowledge, the first demonstration that lentiviral transduction of CD34(+) progenitor cells subsequently differentiated to DCs is capable of priming a specific T cell response in a nonhuman primate in vivo. Taken together, our data provide formal in vivo evidence that lentivirus-transduced dendritic cells represent a potential approach in eliciting cellular immune responses in primates.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation
  • Antigens, CD34 / genetics
  • Antigens, CD34 / immunology
  • Cell Transplantation / methods
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / physiology
  • Genetic Vectors / adverse effects
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immune Sera
  • Interferon-gamma / pharmacology
  • Lentivirus / genetics*
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Primates
  • Stem Cells / immunology
  • Stem Cells / physiology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Transduction, Genetic / methods*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD34
  • Immune Sera
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Interferon-gamma