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Vaccinia Virus as a Tool for Immunologic Studies

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Vaccinia Virus and Poxvirology

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 269))

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Abstract

Studies that involve antigen processing and presentation often require de novo biosynthesis of the antigen both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, biosynthesis of the antigen or engineered variants within the antigen-presenting cells is usually simpler than providing purified recombinant proteins from bacteria, yeast, or insect cells. For these purposes, recombinant vaccinia virus-based expression has several advantages over other expression systems employed in the field. Insertion of large pieces of recombinant DNA into the vaccinia virus genome, easy recombination and selection of vaccinia viruses, and the ability of these viruses to infect a variety of cells are some key aspects that have made this system popular. Although their efficacy is proven in studies of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-restricted antigen processing and presentation, it is challenging to use them in MHC class II-restricted antigen processing and presentation owing to many reasons specified in this chapter. This chapter aims to describe the commonly used procedures in this field that employ vaccinia virus systems, particularly troubleshooting common problems encountered during experiments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kimmel Cancer Institute, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA

    Nia Tatsis, Gomathinayagam Sinnathamby & Laurence C. Eisenlohr

Authors
  1. Nia Tatsis
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  2. Gomathinayagam Sinnathamby
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  3. Laurence C. Eisenlohr
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

    Stuart N. Isaacs

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© 2004 Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ

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Tatsis, N., Sinnathamby, G., Eisenlohr, L.C. (2004). Vaccinia Virus as a Tool for Immunologic Studies. In: Isaacs, S.N. (eds) Vaccinia Virus and Poxvirology. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 269. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-789-0:267

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-789-0:267

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-229-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-789-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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