Chimeric adenovirus 5/35 vector containing the clade C HIV gag gene induces a cross-reactive immune response against HIV.
Most of the recent HIV studies have focused on the clade B virus subtype. However, it is estimated that half the HIV patients in developing countries are infected with virus belonging to clade C. Therefore, a vaccine against HIV clade C is urgently required. In this study, we evaluate the immunogenicity and protective immunity of an adenovirus vector (Ad) in BALB/c mice and cynomolgus monkeys. We developed an HIV vaccine containing the HIV clade C gag gene using a replication-defective chimeric adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) vector incorporating Ad35 fiber (Ad5/35); this vector has exhibited low hepatotoxicity in animal models. We observed that immunization with the Ad5/35 vaccine generated heightened HIV-specific immune responses in both mice and monkeys. Furthermore, the Ad5/35 vector vaccine produced a cross-immunity against challenge with recombinant vaccinia viruses expressing HIV clade B gag. These results demonstrate that Ad5/35 vaccines expressing HIV clade C gag may be promising candidates for clinical trials.
Xin
Ke-Qin
KQ
Department of Molecular Biodefense Research, Yokohama City University, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan.
Sekimoto
Yuka
Y
Takahashi
Toru
T
Mizuguchi
Hiroyuki
H
Ichino
Motohide
M
Yoshida
Atsushi
A
Okuda
Kenji
K
D016915:AIDS Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D000260:Adenoviruses, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D003429:Cross Reactions; D005260:Female; D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015750:Genes, gag / Q000235:genetics*; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014616:Vaccinia virus
D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D015683:Gene Products, gag; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C018315:hexon capsid protein, Adenovirus