title: Intravaginal immunization using the recombinant HIV-1 clade-C trimeric envelope glycoprotein CN54gp140 formulated within lyophilized solid dosage forms.
abstract: Vaccine-mediated prevention of primary HIV-1 infection at the heterosexual mucosal portal of entry may be facilitated by highly optimised formulations or drug delivery devices for intravaginal (i.vag) immunization. Previously we described hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC)-based rheologically structured gel vehicles (RSVs) for vaginal immunization of an HIV-1 vaccine candidate, a soluble recombinant trimeric HIV-1 clade-C envelope glycoprotein designated CN54gp140. Here we investigated the efficacy of lyophilized solid dosage formulations (LSDFs) for prolonging antigen stability and as i.vag delivery modalities. LSDFs were designed and developed that upon i.vag administration they would reconstitute with the imbibing of vaginal fluid to mucoadhesive, site-retentive semi-solids. Mice were immunized with lyophilized equivalents of (i) RSVs, (ii) modified versions of the RSVs more suited to lyophilization (sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC)-based gels) and (iii) Carbopol(®) gel, all containing CN54gp140. NaCMC-based LSDFs provided significantly enhanced antigen stability compared to aqueous-based RSVs. Rheological analysis indicated the NaCMC-based LSDFs would offer enhanced vaginal retention in woman compared to more conventional vaginal gel formulations. All LSDFs were well tolerated in the mouse model. Following i.vag administration, all LSDFs boosted systemic CN54gp140-specific antibody responses in sub-cutaneously primed mice. Induction of CN54gp140-specific antibody responses in the female genital tract was evident. Of all the LSDFs the fastest releasing which was lyophilized Carbopol(®) gel elicited immune responses comparable to buffer instillation of antigen suggesting that rather than slower sustained release, initial high burst release from the LSDFs may suffice. The boosting of specific immune responses upon i.vag administration indicates that LSDFs are viable mucosal vaccine delivery modalities promoting antigen stability and facilitating intimate exposure of CN54gp140 to the mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue of the female genital tract.
authors.affiliation: The School of Pharmacy, The Queen's University of Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Donnelly
authors.forename: Rhonda M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Curran
authors.forename: John S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Tregoning
authors.forename: Paul F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: McKay
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cole
authors.forename: Ryan J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Morrow
authors.forename: Vicky L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Kett
authors.forename: Gavin P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.forename: A David
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Woolfson
authors.forename: R Karl
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Malcolm
authors.forename: Robin J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Shattock
mesh_terms: D016915:AIDS Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D000180:Acrylic Resins; D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000818:Animals; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D005260:Female; D005612:Freeze Drying; D005782:Gels / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D007114:Immunization; D051379:Mice; D011145:Polyvinyls / Q000737:chemistry; D012212:Rheology; D013213:Starch / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000737:chemistry; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D054299:env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D000180:Acrylic Resins; D005782:Gels; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D011145:Polyvinyls; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D054299:env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; C097729:gp140 envelope protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1; C006912:carboxypolymethylene; D013213:Starch; C034848:carboxymethyl starch