title: Induction of neutralizing antibodies and cytotoxic T lymphocytes in Balb/c mice immunized with virus-like particles presenting a gp120 molecule from a HIV-1 isolate of clade A.
abstract: We have recently developed a candidate HIV-1 vaccine based on virus-like particles (VLPs) expressing a gp120 from an Ugandan HIV-1 isolate of the clade A (HIV-VLP(A)s). In vivo immunogenicity experiments were performed in Balb/c mice, with an immunization schedule based on a multiple-dose regimen of HIV-VLP(A)s without adjuvants, showing a significant induction of both humoral and cellular immunity. The Env-specific cellular response was investigated in vitro, scoring for both the proliferative response of T helper cells and the cytolytic activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Furthermore, immune sera showed >50% neutralization activity against both the autologous field isolate and the heterologous T cell adapted B-clade HIV-1(IIIB) viral strain. This is one of the first examples of HIV-1 vaccines based on antigens derived from the A clade, which represents >25% of all isolates identified world wide. In particular, the A clade is predominant in sub-Saharan countries, where 70% of the global HIV-1 infections occur, and where vaccination is the only rational strategy for an affordable prevention against HIV-1 infection.
authors.affiliation: Division of Viral Oncology and AIDS Reference Center, Ist. Naz. Tumori Fond. G. Pascale, Cappella dei Cangiani, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Buonaguro
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Racioppi
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Tornesello
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Arra
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Visciano
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Biryahwaho
authors.forename: S D K
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Sempala
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giraldo
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Buonaguro
mesh_terms: D016915:AIDS Vaccines / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D016367:Baculoviridae / Q000235:genetics; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / Q000276:immunology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000939:Epitopes; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120; D011994:Recombinant Proteins