In VivoMechanisms Involved in Enhanced Protection Utilizing an Fc Receptor-Targeted Mucosal Vaccine Platform in a Bacterial Vaccine and Challenge Model
Targeting antigens (Ag) to Fcγ receptors (FcγR) intranasally (i.n.) enhances immunogenicity and protection against intracellular and extracellular pathogens. Specifically, we have demonstrated that targeting fixed (inactivated)Francisella tularensis(iFT) organisms to FcR in mice i.n., with MAb-iFT immune complexes, enhancesF. tularensis-specific immune responses and protection againstF. tularensischallenge. Furthermore, traditional adjuvant is not required. In addition, we have demonstrated that the increased immunogenicity following the targeting of iFT to FcR is due, in part, to enhanced dendritic cell (DC) maturation, enhanced internalization, and processing and presentation of iFT by DCs, as well as neonatal FcR (FcRn)-enhanced trafficking of iFT from the nasal passage to the nasal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT). Using this immunization and challenge model, we expanded on these studies to identify specificin vivoimmune responses impacted and enhanced by FcR targeting of iFT i.n. Specifically, the results of this study demonstrate for the first time that targeting iFT to FcR increases the frequency of activated DCs within the lungs of MAb-iFT-immunized mice subsequent toF. tularensisLVS challenge. In addition, the frequency and number of gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-secreting effector memory (EM) CD4+T cells elicited byF. tularensisinfection (postimmunization) is increased in an interleukin 12 (IL-12)-dependent manner. In summary, these studies build significantly upon previously published work utilizing this vaccine platform. We have identified a number of additional mechanisms by which this novel, adjuvant-independent, FcR-targeted mucosal vaccine approach enhances immunity and protection against infection, while further validating its potential as a universal vaccine platform against mucosal pathogens.