Generation of mucosal anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 T-cell responses by recombinant Mycobacterium smegmatis

Clin Vaccine Immunol. 2006 Nov;13(11):1204-11. doi: 10.1128/CVI.00195-06. Epub 2006 Aug 30.

Abstract

A successful vaccine vector for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) should induce anti-HIV-1 immune responses at mucosal sites. We have generated recombinant Mycobacterium smegmatis vectors that express the HIV-1 group M consensus envelope protein (Env) as a surface, intracellular, or secreted protein and have tested them in animals for induction of both anti-HIV-1 T-cell and antibody responses. Recombinant M. smegmatis engineered for expression of secreted protein induced optimal T-cell gamma interferon enzyme-linked immunospot assay responses to HIV-1 envelope in the spleen, female reproductive tract, and lungs. Unlike with the induction of T-cell responses, priming and boosting with recombinant M. smegmatis did not induce anti-HIV-1 envelope antibody responses, due primarily to insufficient protein expression of the insert. However, immunization with recombinant M. smegmatis expressing HIV-1 Env was able to prime for an HIV-1 Env protein boost for the induction of anti-HIV-1 antibody responses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology
  • Female
  • Gene Products, env / biosynthesis
  • Gene Products, env / genetics
  • Gene Products, env / physiology
  • Genetic Vectors
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / biosynthesis
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / genetics
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / physiology
  • HIV-1 / genetics
  • HIV-1 / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Mucosal*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mycobacterium smegmatis / genetics*
  • Mycobacterium smegmatis / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • T-Lymphocytes / virology*
  • Transformation, Genetic
  • env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Substances

  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • Gene Products, env
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120
  • env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
  • gp140 envelope protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1