Targeting dna vaccines to b cells as primary antigen presenting cells

A method for activating antigen-specific CD8+ T cells against a target cell type in a human subject, the method comprising:

• (a) administering to the subject an effective amount of a nucleic acid-based vaccine comprising a polynucleotide encoding an antigen, and a B cell targeting agent, whereby uptake of the polynucleotide by B cells is increased relative to uptake of the polypeptide in the absence of the B cell targeting agent;
• or
• (b) administering to the subject an effective amount of a nucleic acid-based vaccine comprising a polynucleotide encoding an antigen;
• and
• co-administering to the subject a B cell recruiting agent at the same location where the nucleic acid-based vaccine is administered, whereby uptake of the polynucleotide by B cells is increased relative to uptake or expression of the polypeptide in the absence of the B cell recruiting agent;
• or
• (c) administering to the subject an effective amount of a nucleic acid-based vaccine comprising a polynucleotide encoding an antigen, and co-administering to the subject a monocyte or dendritic cell recruiting agent at a different location from where the nucleic acid-based vaccine is administered, whereby uptake of the polynucleotide by competing cell populations is decreased relative to uptake in the absence of the monocyte or dendritic cell recruiting agent.