Modulation of the immune response by systemic targeting of antigens to lymph nodes

Factors that determine the immunogenicity of an antigen in vivo are still l argely unknown. Direct administration of antigens into lymphatic organs app ears to enhance immune response. We hypothesized that systemically targetin g antigens to lymphatic tissue in vivo might modulate immunity. To test thi s hypothesis, we measured the Immoral immune response elicited by bacteriop hage vaccination. We show that the responses against a lymph node-targeted phage are significantly higher than those against control untargeted phage; the effect is specific because it is inhibited by coadministration of the cognate synthetic peptides displayed. Our data suggest that systemic target ing of antigens to lymph nodes through the circulation modulates Immoral im mune response. This strategy may have broad applications in the development of vaccines, production of antibodies, and immunotherapy.