The effects of adjuvants on CTL induction by V3:Ty-virus-like particles (V3-VLPs) in mice.

ABSTRACT

We have previously described the generation of HIV-1 V3-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) responses in BALB/c (H-2d) mice following immunization with Ty-virus-like particles carrying the V3 loop of gp120 (V3-VLPs) without adjuvant. In this study the effects of various adjuvants on CTL induction by V3-VLPs was examined. Mice immunized with V3-VLPs formulated in aqueous-based adjuvants, Detox, gamma-inulin, galactosaminylmuramyl dipeptide and Chemivax generated V3-specific CTL responses, although at reduced levels when compared to the no adjuvant group. V3-VLPs prepared in Alhydrogel, algamulin or as an oil emulsion in SAF-MF failed to generate V3-specific CTL responses. The mechanism whereby alum prevented the induction of a CTL response was investigated further. Immunization with V3-VLPs prepared in non-saturating doses of alum or alum plus EDTA primed for strong CTL responses, indicating that free VLPs do, but alum-bound VLPs do not enter the MHC class I processing pathway of antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Furthermore, V3-VLPs with very low doses of alum led to an enhancement of the CTL response. The formulation of hybrid Ty-VLPs in oil based or precipitating adjuvants, therefore, inhibits access to the MHC class I processing pathway of APCs. The intact particulate structure of hybrid VLPs is therefore strictly necessary for CTL induction.