The context of epitope presentation can influence functional quality of recalled influenza A virus-specific memory CD8 T cells

Abstract

Lipopeptide constructs offer a novel strategy for eliciting effective cellular and humoral immunity by directly targeting the vaccine Ag to dendritic cells. Importantly, it is not known how closely immunity generated after lipopeptide vaccination mimics that generated after natural infection. We have used a novel lipopeptide vaccine strategy to analyze both the quantity and quality of CD8+ T cell immunity to an influenza A virus epitope derived from the acidic polymerase protein (PA224) in B6 mice. Vaccination with the PA224 lipopeptide resulted in accelerated viral clearance after subsequent influenza virus infection. The lipopeptide was also effective at recalling secondary DbPA224 respons..