CD4(+) T cells induced by a DNA vaccine: immunological consequences of epitope-specific lysosomal targeting.

4 days after i.p infection of mice 6 weeks-previously vaccinated with an epitope minigene including a C-terminal 20-mer that directs it to the lysosomal compartment or with the empty vector, similar levels of virus are detected in the spleen, implying that the CD4+ priming achieved by the vaccine is not effective in enhancing or accelerating virus clearance. Similar negative results are seen in the mortality rate of vaccinated mice after intracranial inoculation of 20 LD50 doses.