Infected dendritic cells are sufficient to mediate the adjuvant activity generated by Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus replicon particles

► VEE replicon particles (VRP) recruit inflammatory DCs to the lymph node. ► VRP preferentially infect and activate inflammatory DCs. ► VRP-infected DCs enhance in vitro T cell responses to antigen. ► VRP-infected DCs are sufficient to mediate VRP adjuvant activity.