title: IL-15 as memory T-cell adjuvant for topical HIV-1 DermaVir vaccine.
abstract: IL-7 and IL-15 are key cytokines involved in the generation and maintenance of memory CD8+ T-cells. We evaluated these cytokines as molecular adjuvants for topical HIV-1 DermaVir vaccine. We found that mice receiving DermaVir formulated with HIV-1 Gag plasmid in the presence of IL-7- or IL-15-encoding plasmid significantly enhanced Gag-specific central memory T-cells, as measured by a peptide-based cultured IFN-gamma ELISPOT. Additionally, IL-15 significantly improved DermaVir-induced Gag-specific effector memory CD8+ T-cell responses, measured by standard IFN-gamma ELISPOT. In a DermaVir prime/vaccinia vector boost regimen, the inclusion of IL-15 together with DermaVir significantly improved Gag-specific effector memory T-cell responses. Our study demonstrates that IL-15 is more potent than IL-7 in enhancing HIV-1-specific central memory T-cells induced by topical DermaVir. IL-15 adjuvanted DermaVir might be an alternative prime in a prophylactic vaccine regimen.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Genetic and Human Therapy (RIGHT), 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Sandra A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Calarota
authors.forename: Anlan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Jeffrey N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Trocio
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Weiner
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lori
authors.forename: Julianna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lisziewicz
mesh_terms: D016915:AIDS Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000276:immunology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D019409:Interleukin-15 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D015851:Interleukin-7 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; C501366:DermaVir; D015683:Gene Products, gag; D019409:Interleukin-15; D015851:Interleukin-7