Modification of one epitope-flanking amino acid allows for the induction of friend retrovirus-specific CD8+ T cells by Adenovirus-based immunization.

While Friend retrovirus-infected mice readily mount a vigorous CD8(+) T cell response to the leader-gag-derived peptide GagL(85-93), no GagL(85-93)-specific T cells were detectable in mice immunized against Friend virus (FV) with viral vectors or DNA vaccines. By exchanging one epitope-flanking amino acid or using a scaffold protein we were able to demonstrate for the first time the induction of GagL(85-93)-specific CD8(+) T cells by genetic vaccination and show their high protective effect against FV challenge infection.