Enhanced presentation of major histocompatibility complex class I-restricted human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Gag-specific epitopes after DNA immunization with vectors coding for vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein-pseudotyped HIV-1 Gag particles.

In vivo priming of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) by DNA injection predominantly occurs by antigen transfer from DNA-transfected cells to antigen-presenting cells. A rational strategy for increasing DNA vaccine potency would be to use a delivery system that facilitates antigen uptake by antigen-presenting cells. Exogenous antigen presentation through the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-restricted pathway of some viral antigens is increased after adequate virus-receptor interaction and the fusion of viral and cellular membranes. We used DNA-based immunization with plasmids coding for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Gag particles pseudotyped with vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSV-G) to generate Gag-specific CTL responses. The presence of the VSV-G-encoding plasmid not only increased the number of mice displaying anti-Gag-specific cytotoxic response but also increased the efficiency of specific lysis. In vitro analysis of processing confirmed that exogenous presentation of Gag epitopes occurred much more efficiently when Gag particles were pseudotyped with the VSV-G envelope. We show that the VSV-G-pseudotyped Gag particles not only entered the MHC class II processing pathway but also entered the MHC class I processing pathway. In contrast, naked Gag particles entered the MHC class II processing pathway only. Thus, the combined use of DNA-based immunization and nonreplicating pseudotyped virus to deliver HIV-1 antigen to the immune system in vivo could be considered in HIV-1 vaccine design.