Cross-clade immune responses after immunization with a whole-killed gp120-depleted human immunodeficiency virus type-1 immunogen in incomplete Freund's adjuvant (HIV-1 immunogen, REMUNE) in human immunodeficiency virus type-1 seropositive subjects

Viral Immunol. 1997;10(4):221-8. doi: 10.1089/vim.1997.10.221.

Abstract

Lymphocyte proliferation responses to gp120-depleted HZ321 virus (clade A) antigen were compared to BAL human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) virus antigen (clade B) responses, clade E HIV virus antigen responses, and purified native p24 antigen responses in 15 human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) seropositive subjects immunized with a whole-killed inactivated gp120-depleted HIV-1 antigen in Incomplete Freund's adjuvant (HIV-1 immunogen, REMUNE). A significant increase in lymphocyte proliferation to HZ321 antigen was observed after immunization with the HIV-1 immunogen (p = 0.02). A strong association was demonstrated between the HIV-1 immunizing antigen, HZ321, and native p24 antigen responses (r = 0.80, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, a strong association in terms of proliferative responses was demonstrated between HZ321 virus (clade A) responses and BAL virus (clade B) (r = 0.95, p < 0.0001) and clade E virus antigen (r = 0.92, p < 0.0001). Proliferative responses to HIV antigens also correlated with baseline CD4 counts. Taken together, these results support the specificity of immune responses induced by REMUNE (HIV-1 immunogen). The development of cross-reactive immune responses between clades and to the more conserved epitopes of the virus have implications in the development of therapeutic and prophylactic HIV vaccines.

MeSH terms

  • AIDS Vaccines / immunology*
  • CD4 Antigens / analysis
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • Chromatography, Agarose
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Epitopes / immunology
  • Freund's Adjuvant
  • HIV Antigens / immunology*
  • HIV Core Protein p24 / immunology
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / immunology
  • HIV Seropositivity / immunology*
  • HIV-1 / classification
  • HIV-1 / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Scintillation Counting
  • Vaccination
  • Vaccines, Inactivated / immunology

Substances

  • AIDS Vaccines
  • CD4 Antigens
  • Epitopes
  • HIV Antigens
  • HIV Core Protein p24
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120
  • Vaccines, Inactivated
  • Freund's Adjuvant