Modification of One Epitope-Flanking Amino Acid Allows for the Induction of Friend Retrovirus-Specific CD8 + T Cells by Adenovirus-Based Immunization

Abstract

While Friend retrovirus-infected mice readily mount a vigorous CD8 + T cell response to the leader-gag-derived peptide GagL 85–93 , no GagL 85–93 -specific T cells were detectable in mice immunized against Friend virus (FV) with viral vectors or DNA vaccines. By exchanging one epitope-flanking amino acid or using a scaffold protein we were able to demonstrate for the first time the induction of GagL 85–93 -specific CD8 + T cells by genetic vaccination and show their high protective effect against FV challenge infection.