Activation of CFTR-specific T Cells in cystic fibrosis mice following gene transfer

Mol Ther. 2007 Sep;15(9):1694-700. doi: 10.1038/sj.mt.6300210. Epub 2007 Jun 19.

Abstract

Gene therapy for cystic fibrosis (CF) airway disease has emerged as a potentially successful therapy, because expression of the CF gene would be expected to restore the electrophysiological function of the airway epithelium to normalcy. Although, cellular and humoral immune responses to viral gene transfer vectors have been studied extensively, there has been no evaluation of T cell-mediated responses to the therapeutic human CF gene product. Using an adenovirus vector we demonstrated that T cells against human CF gene protein are elicited in CF gene knockout (KO), heterozygote (Het), and wild-type (wt) mice. A dominant CD8 T cell epitope found in CF gene KO, Het, and wt mice was mapped to NTYLRYITV. In CF gene KO mice we also identified (to a conserved region of the CF gene CSQFSWIMPGTIKEN), a minor T cell epitope that did not show any activity in the Het or wt mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD8 Antigens / immunology
  • Cystic Fibrosis / immunology
  • Cystic Fibrosis / physiopathology
  • Cystic Fibrosis / therapy*
  • Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / genetics*
  • Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / immunology
  • Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / physiology
  • Genetic Therapy / methods*
  • Genetic Vectors / administration & dosage
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • Humans
  • Lung / metabolism
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism

Substances

  • CD8 Antigens
  • Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator