Inducible bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (iBALT) synergizes with local lymph nodes during antiviral CD4+ T cell responses.

Background: Exposure of the lungs to an antigen or pathogen elicits the formation of lymphoid satellite islands termed inducible bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (iBALT). However, little is known about how the presence of iBALT, induced by a stimulus unrelated to the subsequent challenge agent, influences systemic immunity in distal locations, whether it be independently, antagonistically, or synergistically. Here, we determined the kinetics of the influenza-specific responses in the iBALT, tracheobronchial lymph node (TBLN), and spleen of mice with and without pre-formed iBALT.

CD11c⁺ cells primed with unrelated antigens facilitate an accelerated immune response to influenza virus in mice.

Recent evidence suggests that an individual's unique history and sequence of exposures to pathogens and antigens may dictate downstream immune responses to disparate antigens. We show that the i.n.

Biomimetic antigenic nanoparticles elicit controlled protective immune response to influenza.

Here we present a biomimetic strategy toward nanoparticle design for controlled immune response through encapsulation of conserved internal influenza proteins on the interior of virus-like particles (VLPs) to direct CD8+ cytotoxic T cell protection. Programmed encapsulation and sequestration of the conserved nucleoprotein (NP) from influenza on the interior of a VLP, derived from the bacteriophage P22, results in a vaccine that provides multistrain protection against 100 times lethal doses of influenza in an NP specific CD8+ T cell-dependent manner. VLP assembly and encapsulation of the immunogenic NP cargo protein is the result of a genetically programmed self-assembly making this strategy amendable to the quick production of vaccines to rapidly emerging pathogens.

Biodistribution studies of protein cage nanoparticles demonstrate broad tissue distribution and rapid clearance in vivo.

Protein cage nanoparticles have the potential to serve as multifunctional cell targeted, imaging and therapeutic platforms for broad applications in medicine. However, before they find applications in medicine, their biocompatibility in vivo needs to be demonstrated. We provide here baseline biodistribution information of two different spherical protein cage nanoplatforms, the 28 nm viral Cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV) and the 12 nm heat shock protein (Hsp) cage.

Type I interferon signaling and B cells maintain hemopoiesis during Pneumocystis infection of the lung.

Loss of CD4 T cells is the hallmark of HIV infection. However, type I IFN-producing plasmacytoid dendritic cells may also be lost. This results in susceptibility to an opportunistic infection such as Pneumocystis pneumonia.

Melanoma and lymphocyte cell-specific targeting incorporated into a heat shock protein cage architecture.

Protein cages, including viral capsids, ferritins, and heat shock proteins (Hsps), can serve as nanocontainers for biomedical applications. They are genetically and chemically malleable platforms, with potential as therapeutic and imaging agent delivery systems. Here, both genetic and chemical strategies were used to impart cell-specific targeting to the Hsp cage from Methanococcus jannaschii.