Elicitation of high-frequency cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses against both dominant and subdominant simian-human immunodeficiency virus epitopes by DNA vaccination of rhesus monkeys

J Virol. 2001 Mar;75(5):2462-7. doi: 10.1128/JVI.75.5.2462-2467.2001.

Abstract

Increasing evidence suggests that the generation of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses specific for a diversity of viral epitopes will be needed for an effective human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) vaccine. Here, we determine the frequencies of CTL responses specific for the simian immunodeficiency virus Gag p11C and HIV-1 Env p41A epitopes in simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV)-infected and vaccinated rhesus monkeys. The p11C-specific CTL response was high frequency and dominant and the p41A-specific CTL response was low frequency and subdominant in both SHIV-infected monkeys and in monkeys vaccinated with recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara vectors expressing these viral antigens. Interestingly, we found that plasmid DNA vaccination led to high-frequency CTL responses specific for both of these epitopes. These data demonstrate that plasmid DNA may be useful in eliciting a broad CTL response against multiple epitopes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • AIDS Vaccines / immunology*
  • Animals
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology*
  • Gene Products, gag / genetics
  • Gene Products, gag / immunology
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / genetics
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / immunology
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • HIV-1 / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunodominant Epitopes / immunology
  • Macaca mulatta
  • SAIDS Vaccines / immunology*
  • Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / immunology
  • Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / prevention & control
  • Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*
  • Vaccination
  • Vaccines, DNA / immunology*

Substances

  • AIDS Vaccines
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • Gene Products, gag
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp41
  • Immunodominant Epitopes
  • SAIDS Vaccines
  • Vaccines, DNA