Immunization with recombinant BCG-SIV elicits SIV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in rhesus monkeys.
Because the transmission of HIV is likely to occur through cell-associated virus, an effective HIV vaccine should be capable of eliciting HIV-specific CTL. We have employed the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)/rhesus monkey model to explore the use of the attenuated tuberculosis bacillus, Calmette Guérin bacillus (BCG), as a vaccine vehicle to elicit AIDS virus-specific CTL. BCG was engineered to express SIVmac gag under the control of hsp70 regulatory sequences. Immunization with this rBCG-SIVmac gag elicited MHC class I-restricted, CD8+ SIVmac gag-specific CTL in rhesus monkeys. In fact, SIVmac gag-specific CTL could be cloned readily from peripheral blood lymphocytes of these immunized monkeys. These findings provide further evidence for the power of BCG as a vaccine vector and its continued exploration as a vehicle for eliciting HIV-specific immunity.
Yasutomi
Y
Y
Harvard Medical School, New England Regional Primate Research Center, Southborough, MA 01772.
Koenig
S
S
Haun
S S
SS
Stover
C K
CK
Jackson
R K
RK
Conard
P
P
Conley
A J
AJ
Emini
E A
EA
Fuerst
T R
TR
Letvin
N L
NL
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D015750:Genes, gag; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D007114:Immunization; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010455:Peptides / Q000276:immunology; D015302:Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
D001500:BCG Vaccine; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D010455:Peptides; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014765:Viral Vaccines