Cutting Edge: Selective role of ubiquitin in MHC class I antigen presentation

The importance of ubiquitination in MHC class I-restricted Ag processing remains unclear. To address this issue, we overexpressed wild-type and dominant-negative lysineless forms of ubiquitin (Ub) in mammalian cells using an inducible vaccinia virus system. Overexpression of the lysineless Ub nearly abrogated polyubiquitination and potently inhibited epitope presentation from a cytosolic N-end rule substrate as well as endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-targeted model Ags. In contrast, there was little impact on Ag presentation from cytosolic proteins. These trends were location dependent; redirecting cytosolic Ag to the ER rendered presentation lysineless Ub-sensitive, whereas retargeting exocytic Ag to the cytosol had the inverse effect. This dichotomy was further underscored by small interfering RNA knockdown of the ER-associated Ub ligase Hrd1. Thus, Ub-dependent degradation appears to play a major role in the MHC class I-restricted processing of ER-targeted proteins and a more restricted role in the processing of cytosolic proteins.

Robust genital gag-specific CD8+ T-cell responses in mice upon intramuscular immunization with simian adenoviral vectors expressing HIV-1-gag

Most studies on E1-deleted adenovirus (Ad) vectors as vaccine carriers for antigens of HIV-1 have focused on induction of central immune responses, although stimulation of mucosal immunity at the genital tract (GT), the primary port of entry of HIV-1, would also be highly desirable. In this study, different immunization protocols using chimpanzee-derived adenoviral (AdC) vectors expressing Gag of HIV-1 clade B given in heterologous prime-boost regimens were tested for induction of systemic and genital immune responses. Although i.n. immunization stimulated CD8(+) T-cell responses that could be detected in the GT, this route induced only marginal cellular responses in systemic tissues and furthermore numbers of Gag-specific CD8(+) T cells contracted sharply within a few weeks. On the contrary, i.m. immunization induced higher and more sustained frequencies of vaccine-induced cells which could be detected in the GT as well as systemic compartments. Antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells could be detected 1 year after immunization in all compartments analyzed. Genital memory cells secreted IFN-γ, expressed high levels of CD103 and their phenotypes were consistent with a state of activation. Taken together, the results presented here show that i.m. vaccination with chimpanzee-derived (simian) adenovirus vectors is a suitable strategy to induce a long-lived genital CD8(+) T-cell response.

Adenovirus vector-induced immune responses in nonhuman primates: responses to prime boost regimens

In the phase IIb STEP trial an HIV-1 vaccine based on adenovirus (Ad) vectors of the human serotype 5 (AdHu5) not only failed to induce protection but also increased susceptibility to HIV-1 infection in individuals with preexisting neutralizing Abs against AdHu5. The mechanisms underlying the increased HIV-1 acquisition rates have not yet been elucidated. Furthermore, it remains unclear if the lack of the vaccine's efficacy reflects a failure of the concept of T cell-mediated protection against HIV-1 or a product failure of the vaccine. Here, we compared two vaccine regimens based on sequential use of AdHu5 vectors or two different chimpanzee-derived Ad vectors in rhesus macaques that were AdHu5 seropositive or seronegative at the onset of vaccination. Our results show that heterologous booster immunizations with the chimpanzee-derived Ad vectors induced higher T and B cell responses than did repeated immunizations with the AdHu5 vector, especially in AdHu5-preexposed macaques.

Recombinant adeno-associated virus vectors induce functionally impaired transgene product-specific CD8+ T cells in mice

Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors were used in human trials as carriers of vaccines for HIV-1 after encouraging preclinical results. However, the clinical trials yielded disappointing results. Here we demonstrated that in mice, rAAV vectors expressing the gene encoding HIV-1 gag stimulated gag-specific CD8(+) T cells, but these T cells failed to expand after a booster immunization with a replication-defective adenoviral (Ad) vector also expressing gag. We tested rAAV vectors of different serotypes expressing HIV-1 gag for induction of transgene product-specific CD8(+) T cells and found that the immunoinhibitory effect of rAAV priming observed with different AAV serotypes was transgene product specific, was independent of the interval between prime and boost, and extended to boosts with vaccine modalities other than Ad vectors. rAAV vector-induced CD8(+) T cells proliferated poorly, produced low levels of IFN-gamma in response to gag stimulation, and upregulated immunoinhibitory molecules. These T cells did not protect efficiently against challenge with a surrogate pathogen. Finally, we showed that the impaired proliferative capacity of the T cells was caused by persistence of the antigen-encoding rAAV vectors and could be reversed by placing the CD8(+) T cells in an antigen-free environment. Our data suggest that rAAV vectors induce functionally impaired T cells and could dampen the immune response to a natural infection.

Targeting of antigen to the herpesvirus entry mediator augments primary adaptive immune responses

Interactions between the herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM) and the B- and T-lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) inhibit B and T cell activation. HVEM-BTLA interactions are blocked by herpes simplex virus (HSV) glycoprotein D (gD) through binding of its N-terminal domain to the BTLA binding site of HVEM. In this study, we inserted viral antigens into the C-terminal domain of gD and expressed these antigens with plasmid or E1-deleted (replication-defective) adenovirus vectors. Viral antigens fused to gD induced T and B cell responses to the antigen that were far more potent than those elicited by the same antigen expressed without gD. The immunopotentiating effect required binding of the gD chimeric protein to HVEM. Overall, the studies demonstrate that targeting of antigen to the BTLA binding site of HVEM augments the immunogenicity of vaccines.

Multiple immunizations with adenovirus and MVA vectors improve CD8+ T cell functionality and mucosal homing

Recombinant adenovirus vectors and MVA vectors were used in prime boost vaccine regimens to address the impact of repeated immunizations on transgene product-specific CD8(+) T cell frequencies, phenotypes, function, and localization. We show that a regimen with three immunizations incorporating MVA, human adenovirus serotype 5 and chimpanzee-derived adenoviruses serotype 68 or 7 yields high transgene product-specific CD8(+) T cell frequencies in spleen, blood, lymph nodes, and peritoneal lavage. Furthermore, upon triple immunization increased frequencies of transgene-specific T cells were measured at mucosal sites such as mesenteric lymph nodes, intestinal epithelium, and Peyer's patches. Multiple dose vaccine regimens that markedly increase functionally active transgene-specific T cells and target them to the appropriate ports of entry may be important in protection against pathogens such as HIV-1.

Adenoviral vectors persist in vivo and maintain activated CD8+ T cells: implications for their use as vaccines

CD8(+) T cell-numbers rapidly expand and then contract after exposure to their cognate antigen. Here we show that the sustained frequencies of transgene product-specific CD8(+) T cells elicited by replication-defective adenovirus vectors are linked to persistence of low levels of transcriptionally active adenovirus vector genomes at the site of inoculation, in liver, and lymphatic tissues. Continuously produced small amounts of antigen maintain fully active effector CD8(+) T cells, while also allowing for their differentiation into central memory cells. The long-term persistence of adenoviral vectors may be highly advantageous for their use as vaccines against pathogens for which T-cell-mediated protection requires both fully activated T cells for immediate control of virus-infected cells and central memory CD8(+) T cells that, because of their higher proliferative capacity, may be suited best to eliminate cells infected by pathogens that escaped the initial wave of effector T cells.

Effect of preexisting immunity to adenovirus human serotype 5 antigens on the immune responses of nonhuman primates to vaccine regimens based on human- or chimpanzee-derived adenovirus vectors

In this study we compared a prime-boost regimen with two serologically distinct replication-defective adenovirus (Ad) vectors derived from chimpanzee serotypes C68 and C1 expressing Gag, Pol, gp140, and Nef of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 with a regimen in which replication-defective Ad vectors of the human serotype 5 (AdHu5) were given twice. Experiments were conducted in rhesus macaques that had or had not been preexposed to antigens of AdHu5. There was no significant difference in T-cell responses tested from peripheral blood of the different groups, although responses were overall highest in nonpreexposed animals immunized with the chimpanzee Ad vectors. Preexisting immunity to AdHu5 completely inhibited induction of transgene product-specific antibodies by the AdHu5 vectors without affecting antibody responses to the chimpanzee vectors. Upon euthanasia, T-cell responses were tested from a number of tissues. Preexisting immunity to AdHu5, commonly found in humans, changed the homing pattern of vaccine-induced T cells. In AdHu5-preexposed animals vaccinated with the chimpanzee Ad vectors, frequencies of transgene-specific T cells were higher in spleens than in blood, and in most preexposed animals vaccinated either with AdHu5 vectors or chimpanzee adenovirus vectors, frequencies of such T cells were exceptionally high in livers. The latter results indicate that analysis of T-cell responses solely from blood mononuclear cells of vaccine recipients may not suffice to compare the potencies of different vaccine regimens.

A CD46-binding chimpanzee adenovirus vector as a vaccine carrier

A replication-defective chimeric vector based on the chimpanzee adenovirus serotype C1 was developed and tested as a vaccine carrier in mice. The AdC1 virus is closely related to human adenoviruses of subgroup B2 and uses CD46 for cell attachment. To overcome poor growth of E1-deleted AdC1 vectors on cell lines that provide the E1 of adenovirus of the human serotype 5 (AdHu5) virus in trans, the inverted terminal repeats and some of the early genes of AdC1 were replaced with those from AdC5, a chimpanzee origin adenovirus of subfamily E. The chimeric AdC1/C5 vector efficiently transduces CD46-expressing mouse dendritic cells (DCs) in vitro and initiates their maturation. Transduction of DCs in vivo is inefficient in CD46 transgenic mice. The AdC1/C5 vector induces transgene product-specific B- and CD8(+) T-cell responses in mice. Responses are slightly higher in wild-type mice than in CD46 transgenic mice. Transgene product-specific T-cell responses elicited by the AdC1/C5 vector can be increased by priming or boosting with a heterologous adenovirus vector. Pre-existing immunity to adenovirus of the common human serotype 5 does not affect induction of cell-mediated immune responses by the AdC1/C5 vector. This vector provides an additional tool in a repertoire of adenovirus-based vaccine vectors.

Chimpanzee-origin adenovirus vectors as vaccine carriers

Vaccines based on replication-defective adenoviral vectors are being developed for infectious agents and tumor-associated antigens. Early work focused on vaccines derived from a common human serotype of adenovirus, that is, adenovirus of the serotype 5 (AdHu5). Neutralizing antibodies against AdHu5 virus, present in a large percentage of the human population, dampen the efficacy of vaccines based on this carrier. To circumvent this problem, we generated vectors derived from chimpanzee adenoviruses. Here we describe some basic parameters of vectors derived from chimpanzee adenoviruses C68 and C7, including growth characteristics, yields of infectious particles, effects of additional deletions in E3 and E4 and lengths of the inserted foreign sequence as they relate to the suitability for their eventual development as vaccine carriers for clinical use.

Adenoviruses as vaccine vectors

Adenoviruses have transitioned from tools for gene replacement therapy to bona fide vaccine delivery vehicles. They are attractive vaccine vectors as they induce both innate and adaptive immune responses in mammalian hosts. Currently, adenovirus vectors are being tested as subunit vaccine systems for numerous infectious agents ranging from malaria to HIV-1. Additionally, they are being explored as vaccines against a multitude of tumor-associated antigens. In this review we describe the molecular biology of adenoviruses as well as ways the adenovirus vectors can be manipulated to enhance their efficacy as vaccine carriers. We describe methods of evaluating immune responses to transgene products expressed by adenoviral vectors and discuss data on adenoviral vaccines to a selected number of pathogens. Last, we comment on the limitations of using human adenoviral vectors and provide alternatives to circumvent these problems. This field is growing at an exciting and rapid pace, thus we have limited our scope to the use of adenoviral vectors as vaccines against viral pathogens.

Vaccinia virus as a tool for immunologic studies

Studies that involve antigen processing and presentation often require de novo biosynthesis of the antigen both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, biosynthesis of the antigen or engineered variants within the antigen-presenting cells is usually simpler than providing purified recombinant proteins from bacteria, yeast, or insect cells. For these purposes, recombinant vaccinia virus-based expression has several advantages over other expression systems employed in the field. Insertion of large pieces of recombinant DNA into the vaccinia virus genome, easy recombination and selection of vaccinia viruses, and the ability of these viruses to infect a variety of cells are some key aspects that have made this system popular. Although their efficacy is proven in studies of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-restricted antigen processing and presentation, it is challenging to use them in MHC class II-restricted antigen processing and presentation owing to many reasons specified in this chapter. This chapter aims to describe the commonly used procedures in this field that employ vaccinia virus systems, particularly troubleshooting common problems encountered during experiments.

The minor histocompatibility antigen HA-3 arises from differential proteasome-mediated cleavage of the lymphoid blast crisis (Lbc) oncoprotein

Minor histocompatibility (H) antigens crucially affect the outcome of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-identical allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). To understand the basis of alloimmune responses against minor H antigens, identification of minor H peptides and their antigenicity-determining mechanisms is essential. Here we report the identification of HA-3 and its encoding gene. The HA-3 peptide, VTEPGTAQY (HA-3T), is encoded by the lymphoid blast crisis (Lbc) oncogene. We thus show for the first time that a leukemia-associated oncogene can give rise to immunogenic T-cell epitopes that may have participated in antihost and antileukemic alloimmune responses. Genotypic analysis of HA-3- individuals revealed the allelic counterpart VMEPGTAQY (HA-3M). Despite the lack of T-cell recognition of HA-3- cells, the Thr-->Met substitution had only a modest effect on peptide binding to HLA-A1 and a minimal impact on recognition by T cells when added exogenously to target cells. This substitution did not influence transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) transport, but, in contrast to the HA-3T peptide, HA-3M is destroyed by proteasome-mediated digestion. Thus, the immunogenicity of minor H antigens can result from proteasome-mediated destruction of the negative allelic peptide.

The function of the p190 Rho GTPase-activating protein is controlled by its N-terminal GTP binding domain

p190 is a GTPase-activating protein (GAP) for the Rho family of GTPases. The GAP domain of p190 is at the C terminus of the protein. At its N terminus, p190 contains a GTP binding domain of unknown significance. We have introduced a mutation (Ser36 --> Asn) into this domain of p190 that decreased its ability to bind guanine nucleotide when expressed as a hemagglutinin (HA)-tagged protein in COS cells. In vitro, both the wild type and S36N mutant HA-p190 proteins showed similar GAP activities toward RhoA, but when expressed in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts only wild type p190 appeared able to function as a RhoGAP. Wild type HA-p190 induced a phenotype of rounded cells with long, beaded extensions similar to that seen when Rho function is disrupted by ADP-ribosylation. HA-p190(S36N), although expressed at a similar level to the wild type protein, had no discernible effect on the cells. The beaded extension phenotype induced by wild type HA-p190 required GAP function. A GAP-defective mutant, p190(R1283A), had no effect on cell morphology. Moreover, the beaded extension phenotype could be suppressed by co-expression of a gain-of-function Rho mutant, RhoA(G14V), or Rac mutant, Rac1(G12V). Activation of the Jun kinase (JNK) via muscarinic receptors was inhibited by wild type HA-p190, but JNK activity was enhanced by the S36N mutant. Co-expression of HA-p190 with a fragment containing only the mutated GTP binding domain partially inhibited the beaded extension phenotype, suggesting that it may sequester a factor required for p190 function. Taken together these data demonstrate that within the cell, the Rho/Rac GAP activity of p190 can be regulated by the N-terminal GTP binding domain.

Distinct cellular effects and interactions of the Rho-family GTPase TC10

BACKGROUND

Rho-family GTPases have central roles in cytoskeletal organization, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Multiple factors possessing overlapping specificities for Rho GTPases have been identified. The Rho GTPases Cdc42 and Rac share many regulators and effectors, yet produce different phenotypes when expressed as gain-of-function mutants in cells. The Rho-family member TC10 has remained almost completely uncharacterized, so it was of interest to determine whether TC10 has unique cellular effects and interacts with the same targets as Cdc42 and Rac.

RESULTS

A gain-of-function TC10 mutant protein expressed in fibroblasts induced cell rounding, loss of stress fibers and formation of peripheral extensions. The extensions were longer than those induced by the analogous Cdc42 mutant protein. Cells expressing TC10 also possessed fewer membrane ruffles and stress fibers than those expressing Cdc42. TC10 mRNA was most highly expressed in heart and skeletal muscle. The GTPase activity of TC10 was lower than that of Cdc42, and TC10 possessed a lower affinity for, but greater responsiveness to, the p50Rho GTPase-activating protein (p50RhoGAP) than did Cdc42. TC10 stimulated Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p21-activated kinase (PAK) activities and interacted with a set of effectors (alpha-, beta- and gammaPAK, MRCKalpha/beta, MLK2, N-WASP and MSE55) that overlaps with those for Cdc42 and Rac. TC10 did not interact with MLK3 or WASP, and interacted only weakly with ACK-1.

CONCLUSIONS

TC10 possesses distinct features, but exhibits a phenotype most closely related to that of Cdc42. It interacts with a similar subset of effectors to Cdc42 but not with MLK3, WASP or ACK-1. It is regulated differentially by p50RhoGAP.