The Immunogenicity of the Tumor-Associated Antigen α-Fetoprotein Is Enhanced by a Fusion with a Transmembrane Domain

Abstract EN

Aim.

To investigate the ability of recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara (rMVA) vector to induce an immune response against a well-tolerated self-antigen.

Methods.

rMVA vectors expressing different form of α-fetoprotein (AFP) were produced and characterized.

Naïve mice were vaccinated with MVA vectors expressing the AFP antigen in either a secreted, or a membrane-bound, or an intracellular form.

The immune response was monitored by an IFNΓ ELISpot assay and antibody detection.

Results.

Vaccination with the membrane-associated form of AFP induced a stronger CD8+ T-cell response compared to the ones obtained with the MVA encoding the secreted or the intracellular forms of AFP.

Moreover, the vaccination with the membrane-bound AFP elicited the production of AFP-specific antibodies.

Conclusions.

The AFP transmembrane form is more immunogenic.

Expressing a membrane-bound form in the context of an MVA vaccination could enhance the immunogenicity of a self-antigen.