The novel tuberculosis vaccine, AERAS-402, induces robust and polyfunctional CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in adults.
BACKGROUND
AERAS-402 is a novel tuberculosis vaccine designed to boost immunity primed by bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), the only licensed vaccine.


OBJECTIVE
We investigated the safety and immunogenicity of AERAS-402 in healthy Mycobacterium tuberculosis-uninfected BCG-vaccinated adults from a tuberculosis-endemic region of South Africa.


METHODS
Escalating doses of AERAS-402 vaccine were administered intramuscularly to each of three groups of healthy South African BCG-vaccinated adults, and a fourth group received two injections of the maximal dose. Participants were monitored for 6 months, with all adverse effects documented. Vaccine-induced CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell immunity was characterized by an intracellular cytokine staining assay of whole blood and peripheral blood mononuclear cells.


RESULTS
AERAS-402 was well tolerated, and no vaccine-related serious adverse events were recorded. The vaccine induced a robust CD4(+) T-cell response dominated by cells coexpressing IFN-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and IL-2 ("polyfunctional" cells). AERAS-402 also induced a potent CD8(+) T-cell response, characterized by cells expressing IFN-gamma and/or tumor necrosis factor-alpha, which persisted for the duration of the study.


CONCLUSIONS
Vaccination with AERAS-402 is safe and immunogenic in healthy adults. The immunity induced by the vaccine appears promising: polyfunctional T cells are thought to be important for protection against intracellular pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and evidence is accumulating that CD8(+) T cells are also important. AERAS-402 induced a robust and durable CD8(+) T-cell response, which appears extremely promising. Clinical trial registered with www.sanctr.gov.za (NHREC no. 1381).
Abel
Brian
B
South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine and School of Child and Adolescent Health,University of Cape Town, UCT Health Sciences, Anzio Road, Observatory 7925, Cape Town, South Africa.
Tameris
Michele
M
Mansoor
Nazma
N
Gelderbloem
Sebastian
S
Hughes
Jane
J
Abrahams
Deborah
D
Makhethe
Lebohang
L
Erasmus
Mzwandile
M
de Kock
Marwou
M
van der Merwe
Linda
L
Hawkridge
Anthony
A
Veldsman
Ashley
A
Hatherill
Mark
M
Schirru
Giulia
G
Pau
Maria Grazia
MG
Hendriks
Jenny
J
Weverling
Gerrit Jan
GJ
Goudsmit
Jaap
J
Sizemore
Donata
D
McClain
J Bruce
JB
Goetz
Margaret
M
Gearhart
Jacqueline
J
Mahomed
Hassan
H
Hussey
Gregory D
GD
Sadoff
Jerald C
JC
Hanekom
Willem A
WA
D000328:Adult; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D013019:South Africa; D032581:Tuberculosis Vaccines / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019444:Vaccines, DNA; D055815:Young Adult
C000592463:AERAS-402; D032581:Tuberculosis Vaccines; D019444:Vaccines, DNA