SIMIAN VIRUS-40 T-ANTIGEN AS A CARRIER FOR THE EXPRESSION OF CYTOTOXIC T-LYMPHOCYTE RECOGNITION EPITOPES

Simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen can immortalize a wide variety of mammalian cells in culture. We have taken advantage of this propert y of T antigen to use it as a carrier for the expression of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) recognition epitopes. DNA sequences corresponding t o an H-2D(b)-restricted SV40 T-antigen site I (amino acids 205 to 215) were translocated into SV40 T-antigen DNA at codon positions 350 and 650 containing EcoRI linkers. An H-2K(b)-restricted herpes simplex vir us glycoprotein B epitope (amino acids 498 to 505) was also expressed in SV40 T antigen at positions 350 and 650. Primary C57BL/6 mouse kidn ey cells were immortalized by transfection with the recombinant and wi ld-type T-antigen DNA. Clonal isolates of cells expressing chimeric T antigens were shown to be specifically susceptible to lysis by CTL clo nes directed to SV40 T-antigen site I and herpes simplex virus glycopr otein B epitopes, indicating that CTL epitopes restricted by two diffe rent elements can be processed, presented, and recognized by the epito pe-specific CTL clones. Our results suggest that SV40 T antigen can be used as a carrier protein to express a wide variety of CTL epitopes.