Virus-like particle
The present invention provides a virus-like particle (VLP) having a viral envelope which comprises: (i) a membrane protein comprising the extracellular domain of CD86; and (ii) a CD3-binding membrane protein. The VLP may be used to activate T cells prior to viral transduction.
1 . A virus-like particle (VLP) having a viral envelope which comprises:
(i) a membrane protein comprising the extracellular domain of CD86 and the transmembrane domain of CD8, wherein the membrane protein comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 15; and
(ii) a CD3-binding transmembrane protein.
2 . The VLP according to claim 1 , which is a retroviral-derived or lentiviral-derived VLP.
3 . The VLP according to claim 1 , which is derived from Moloney murine leukemia virus (Mo-MLV).
4 . The VLP according to claim 1 , wherein the CD3-binding transmembrane protein comprises an OKT3-derived antigen binding domain.
5 . A nucleic acid construct which comprises a first nucleic acid sequence encoding a membrane protein comprising the extracellular domain of CD86 and the transmembrane domain of CD8, wherein the membrane protein comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 15; and a second nucleic acid sequence encoding a CD3-binding transmembrane protein.
6 . A vector comprising a nucleic acid construct according to claim 5 .
7 . A kit of vectors which comprises:
(i) a first vector which comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a membrane protein comprising the extracellular domain of CD86 and the transmembrane domain of CD8, wherein the membrane protein comprises an amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 15; and (ii) a second vector which comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a CD3-binding transmembrane protein.
8 . A method for activating a T cell which comprises the step of culturing the T cell in the presence of a VLP according to claim 1 .
9 . A method according to claim 8 , wherein the T cell is also cultured in the presence of IL-7 or IL-15.