Evolution of B cell responses to Clec9A-targeted antigen.

The response of B cells to Ag targeted to Clec9A on dendritic cells was followed using the hapten nitrophenol (NP) conjugated to rat Ig carrier. Injection of small amounts of NP conjugated to anti-Clec9A in the absence of adjuvants gave high and very prolonged Ab responses, approaching those obtained by high doses of nontargeted NP-protein conjugates with alum adjuvant. The response to NP-anti-Clec9A included the transient formation of germinal centers, maturation of Ab affinity, and some memory B cell formation. Serum Ab titers remained high 35 wk postimmunization, well after the initial follicular response had faded. The results suggest Clec9A-targeting strategies for improving Ab responses to vaccine Ags.