Enhancement of immunodeficiency virus-specific immune responses in DNA-immunized rhesus macaques

Vaccine. 1997 Jun;15(8):924-6. doi: 10.1016/s0264-410x(96)00271-x.

Abstract

In contrast to results obtained with plasmid DNA vectors encoding antigens from viruses such as influenza and hepatitis B, plasmids coding for antigens from primate immunodeficiency viruses have elicited relatively weak antibody responses following gene gun-mediated DNA immunization of rhesus monkeys. In an effort to augment these responses, the importance of the immunization schedule was investigated, as well as the possible synergy that might result from boosting gene gun-primed animals with other routes of immunization. Here we demonstrate that endpoint gp120-specific antibody titers can be enhanced as much as tenfold by reducing the number of immunizations and lengthening the resting period between immunizations. In addition, boosting gene gun-primed animals with either recombinant subunits or gp120-expressing vaccinia recombinants resulted in synergistic responses.

MeSH terms

  • AIDS Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • AIDS Vaccines / genetics
  • AIDS Vaccines / immunology*
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / immunology
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / prevention & control
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / biosynthesis
  • Biolistics
  • DNA, Viral / immunology
  • HIV Antibodies / biosynthesis*
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / genetics
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / immunology
  • HIV-1 / genetics
  • HIV-1 / immunology*
  • Immunization Schedule
  • Immunoglobulin G / analysis
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Membrane Glycoproteins*
  • Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / immunology
  • Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / prevention & control
  • Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / genetics
  • Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / immunology*
  • Vaccines, DNA / administration & dosage
  • Vaccines, DNA / immunology*
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / genetics
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / immunology
  • Vaccinia virus / immunology
  • Viral Envelope Proteins*

Substances

  • AIDS Vaccines
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • DNA, Viral
  • HIV Antibodies
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120
  • HIV-1 IIIB gp120 subunit vaccine
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Vaccines, DNA
  • Vaccines, Synthetic
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • gp120 protein, Simian immunodeficiency virus