Human immunodeficiency virus type 2 DNA vaccine provides partial protection from acute baboon infection.
We determined if the genetic adjuvants, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and B7-2, could improve the immunogenicity and efficacy of an HIV-2 DNA vaccine. The vaccine consisted of the HIV-2 tat, nef, gag, and env genes synthesized using optimized codons and formulated with cationic liposomes. Baboons (Papio cynocephalus hamadryas) were immunized by the intramuscular, intradermal, and intranasal routes with these expression constructs and challenged with HIV-2(UC2) by the intravaginal route. In the first month after HIV-2 vaginal challenge, the baboons receiving the HIV-2 DNA vaccine with or without the genetic adjuvants had significant reductions in the viral loads in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) (P = 0.028) while the reductions in their plasma viremia were suggestive of a protective effect (P = 0.1). These data demonstrate that partial protection against HIV-2 vaginal challenge, as measured by reduced viral load, can be achieved using only a DNA vaccine formulation.
Locher
Christopher P
CP
Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of California, 514 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143-1270, USA.
Witt
Stephanie A
SA
Ashlock
Brittany M
BM
Polacino
Patricia
P
Hu
Shiu Lok
SL
Shiboski
Stephen
S
Schmidt
Ann M
AM
Agy
Michael B
MB
Anderson
David M
DM
Staprans
Silvija I
SI
zur Megede
Jan
J
Levy
Jay A
JA
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D051940:B7-2 Antigen; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D015686:Gene Products, env / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015693:Gene Products, nef / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015696:Gene Products, tat / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015498:HIV-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000821:virology; D008081:Liposomes; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D010215:Papio; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D014621:Vagina / Q000821:virology; D019562:Viral Load; D054311:nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; D054322:tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D015703:Antigens, CD; D051940:B7-2 Antigen; D015686:Gene Products, env; D015683:Gene Products, gag; D015693:Gene Products, nef; D015696:Gene Products, tat; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D008081:Liposomes; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D019444:Vaccines, DNA; D054311:nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; D054322:tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor