Coxsackievirus-adenovirus receptor genetically fused to anti-human CD40 scFv enhances adenoviral transduction of dendritic cells

A promising approach to immunotherapy involves the loading of dendritic cells (DCs) with genetic material to facilitate sustained expression of a relevant antigen in this population of potent antigen presenting cells (APC). Viral vectors such as adenovirus (Ad) have been used for this purpose. Existing methods for DC infection are limited by lack of specificity and a requirement for DC exposure to high viral doses. Targeting of Ad to DCs with bispecific antibodies has significantly augmented levels of transgene expression. Genetic fusion of the extracellular portion of coxsackievirus-adenovirus receptor (CAR) to cell-specific ligands has also proved successful in targeting Ad to cells of interest. We report here the production and primary characterization of a new fusion protein comprising the ecto-domain of CAR connected to a single chain antibody (scFv) G28-5 against human CD40 present on the surface of DCs. We demonstrate that the fusion protein (CAR/G28) specifically interacts with both recombinant Ad fiber knob and the ecto-domain of human CD40 in a binding assay (ELISA). Finally, we show that the CAR/G28 fusion protein promotes highly efficient transduction of DCs of both rhesus monkey and human origin.