CD205 antigen targeting combined with dendritic cell recruitment factors and antigen-linked CD40L activation primes and expands significant antigen-specific antibody and CD4+ T cell responses following DNA vaccination of outbred animals

► We tested immunogenicity of a CD205-targeted antigen fused to CD40L. ► We tested effectiveness of a single low dose. ► Immunization of MHC class II-matched calves induced significant immune responses. ► Primed immune responses were significantly expanded three weeks post-immunization. ► Mean immune responses tripled within one week post-boost.