title: Characterization of DNA and MVA vectors expressing Nef from HIV-1 CRF12_BF revealed high immune specificity with low cross-reactivity against subtype B.
abstract: The HIV epidemic in Argentina is characterized by the high prevalence of infections caused by subtype B and BF variants. In this study, the Nef protein was used as a tool to study the impact of HIV-1 BF variants in the design of future vaccines. DNA and MVA vectors expressing Nef of the CRF12_BF recombinant form of HIV-1 were generated and characterized. After the administration of single DNAprime/MVAboost immunization schedules in Balb/c mice we found that NefBF delivered from these vectors generated a response of high specificity with low cross-reactivity against subtype B. But, when a more potent response was induced after 3 priming DNA doses and a booster with MVA virus, cross-reactivity against NefB was detected, although of lower magnitude than the NefBF specific. These results will be pivotal for vaccines designs in our region, indicating that antigens from these viral variants must be considered for a future vaccine.
authors.affiliation: Centro Nacional de Referencia para el SIDA Universidad de Buenos Aires, C1121ABG, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Turk
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Pascutti
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ferrer
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Nájera
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mónaco
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Esteban
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Salomón
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Calamante
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Gherardi
mesh_terms: D016915:AIDS Vaccines / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D057134:Antibodies, Neutralizing / Q000097:blood; D002460:Cell Line; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D006224:Cricetinae; D003429:Cross Reactions; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D007117:Immunization, Secondary / Q000379:methods; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D022223:Vaccines, Subunit / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D014616:Vaccinia virus / Q000235:genetics*; D054311:nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D057134:Antibodies, Neutralizing; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D019444:Vaccines, DNA; D022223:Vaccines, Subunit; D054311:nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; C514837:nef protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1; D007371:Interferon-gamma