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Protein delivery by subviral particles of human cytomegalovirus

Gene Therapy volume 10, pages 278–284 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

Direct protein delivery is an emerging technology in vaccine development and gene therapy. We could previously show that subviral dense bodies (DB) of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), a beta-herpesvirus, transport viral proteins into target cells by membrane fusion. Thus these non-infectious particles provide a candidate delivery system for the prophylactic and therapeutic application of proteins. Here we provide proof of principle that DB can be modified genetically. A 55 kDa fusion protein consisting of the green fluorescent protein and the neomycin phosphotransferase could be packed in and delivered into cells by recombinant DB in a functional fashion. Furthermore, transfer of protein into fibroblasts and dendritic cells by DB was efficient, leading to exogenous loading of the MHC-class I antigen presentation pathway. Thus, DB may be a promising basis for the development of novel vaccine strategies and therapeutics based on recombinant polypeptides.

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Acknowledgements

The collaboration with Matthias Theobald, Mainz, and his colleagues in generating CTL-clones in transgenic mice is gratefully appreciated. The donations of monoclonal antibodies by William Britt, Birmingham, AL and of cosmid clones of HCMV by Christian Sinzger, Tübingen are acknowledged. We thank Ulrike Stapf for technical assistance. This work was supported by Sonderforschungsbereich 490, individual grant B2 and Sonderforschungsbereich 510, individual grant B3 (S. Riegler).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Virology, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany

    S Pepperl-Klindworth, N Frankenberg & B Plachter

  2. Department of Medical Virology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany

    S Riegler

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  1. S Pepperl-Klindworth
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  2. N Frankenberg
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  3. S Riegler
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  4. B Plachter
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Pepperl-Klindworth, S., Frankenberg, N., Riegler, S. et al. Protein delivery by subviral particles of human cytomegalovirus. Gene Ther 10, 278–284 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.gt.3301879

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