An HIV-1 vaccine based on bacterium-like particles elicits Env-specific mucosal immune responses

Immunol Lett. 2020 Jun:222:29-39. doi: 10.1016/j.imlet.2020.03.002. Epub 2020 Mar 12.

Abstract

Although many vaccines have been designed to induce effective mucosal immune responses against HIV-1, designing an effective HIV-1 vaccine remains a challenge. Bacterium-like particles (BLPs) are a new type of vector used to induce mucosal immune responses, and have already been used for some vaccines against respiratory tract viruses. In this study, we designed a mucosal vaccine against HIV-1 based on BLPs. The vaccine was used to immunize both mice and guinea pigs via intramuscular (i.m.) injection or intranasal (i.n.) drip. We found that gp120 trimers bound to BLPs delivered via i.n. drip successfully induced Env-specific secretory IgA (sIgA) at mucosal sites in mice. Furthermore, nasal washes from guinea pigs immunized via i.n. drip showed neutralizing activity against HIV-1 tier 1 pseudoviruses. Thus, gp120 trimers bound to BLPs may be an effective vaccine strategy against HIV-1.

Keywords: Bacterium-like particle (BLP); HIV-1; Mucosal vaccine; gp120.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • AIDS Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • AIDS Vaccines / immunology*
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology
  • Antibody Specificity / immunology
  • Bacteria
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Guinea Pigs
  • HIV Antibodies / immunology
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / immunology
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • HIV-1 / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Mucosal*
  • Immunization
  • Immunogenicity, Vaccine
  • Mice
  • Neutralization Tests
  • env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / immunology*

Substances

  • AIDS Vaccines
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • HIV Antibodies
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120
  • env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus