Flt3 ligand enhances the immunogenicity of a gag-based HIV-1 vaccine.

Liposomes and Flt3 ligand (Flt3L), a ligand for the fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor Flt3/ FLK2, can augment the immune response to an HIV peptide vaccine. The HGP-30 peptide used in these studies is a synthetic peptide that corresponds to a highly conserved region of HIV-1 p17 gag (amino acids 86-115). Mice were immunized with HGP-30 or HGP-30 conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses, antibody (IgG) amount and antigen-specific proliferative responses by spleen cells were used to monitor the immune response. Daily injections of Flt3L prior to HGP-30 administration enhanced significantly an antigen-specific lymphocyte proliferation response when compared with Flt3L, HGP-30 alone or HGP-30 containing liposomes. Intravenous administration of HGP-30 was superior to intramuscular (i.m.) immunization for the induction of DTH responses. The HGP-30/KLH containing liposomes enhanced both DTH and antibody responses, while liposomes containing HGP-30 peptide elicited only T cell responses. In these studies, either Flt3L or liposomes increased DTH responses compared with the i.m. injection of the HGP-30 vaccine alone.