Dendritic cells infected by recombinant rabies virus vaccine vector expressing HIV-1 Gag are immunogenic even in the presence of vector-specific immunity.
Dendritic cells (DC) are the most potent antigen presenting cells whose ability to interact with T cells, B cells and NK cells has led to their extensive use in vaccine design. Here, we designed a DC-based HIV-1 vaccine using an attenuated rabies virus vector expressing HIV-1 Gag (RIDC-Gag). To test this, BALB/c mice were immunized with RIDC-Gag, and the primary, secondary as well as humoral immune responses were monitored. Our results indicate that RIDC-Gag stimulated HIV-1 Gag-specific immune responses in mice. When challenged with vaccinia virus (VV) expressing HIV-1 Gag, they elicited a potent Gag-specific recall response characterized by CD8+ T cells expressing multiple cytokines that were capable of specifically lysing Gag-pulsed target cells. Moreover, RIDC-Gag also enhanced CD8+ T cell responses via a homologous prime-boost regimen. These results show that a DC-based vaccine using live RV is immunogenic and a potential candidate for a therapeutic HIV-1 vaccine.
Wanjalla
Celestine N
CN
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
Faul
Elizabeth J
EJ
Gomme
Emily A
EA
Schnell
Matthias J
MJ
D016915:AIDS Vaccines / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D007117:Immunization, Secondary / Q000379:methods; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D011819:Rabies Vaccines / Q000235:genetics; D011820:Rabies virus / Q000235:genetics*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods; D054301:gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D016207:Cytokines; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D011819:Rabies Vaccines; D054301:gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus