DermaVir, a novel HIV immunisation technology.
DermaVir is a novel topical immunisation designed to target Langerhans cells (LC), the epidermal precursors of dendritic cells. LC serve as a vehicle to process and transfer antigens from the skin to T cell areas in the lymphoid organs. The HIV DNA delivered by DermaVir to LC expresses most viral regulatory and structural genes and induces T cell-mediated immune responses with broad specificity. In chronically infected macaques, DermaVir administered with antiretroviral drugs, suppressed viral load rebound after treatment interruption and improved survival. DermaVir is a promising antiretroviral treatment approach with a unique mechanism of action for combination with currently used drugs.
Lori
Franco
F
Research Institute for Genetic and Human Therapy, 2233 Wisconsin Ave. Suite 503, Washington, DC 20007, USA. rightpv@tin.it
Trocio
Jeffrey
J
Bakare
Nyasha
N
Kelly
Laurene M
LM
Lisziewicz
Julianna
J
D016915:AIDS Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D001709:Biotechnology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000276:immunology; D008251:Macaca; D018449:SAIDS Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015302:Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification
D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D018449:SAIDS Vaccines; D019444:Vaccines, DNA