Protection of chimpanzees from high-dose heterologous HIV-1 challenge by DNA vaccination

Abstract

Novel approaches for the generation of more effective vaccines for HIV-1 are of significant importance. In this report we analyze the immunogenicity and efficacy of an HIV-1 DNA vaccine encoding env, rev and gag/pol in a chimpanzee model system. The immunized animals developed specific cellular and humoral immune responses. Animals were challenged with a heterologous chimpanzee titered stock of HIV-1 SF2 virus and followed for 48 weeks after challenge. Polymerase chain reaction coupled with reverse transcription (RT-PCR) results indicated infection in the control animal, whereas those animals vaccinated with the DNA constructs were protected from the establishment of infection. These studies serve as an important benchmark for the use of DNA vaccine technology for the production of protective immune responses.

Safety of a GM-CSF adjuvant-plasmid DNA malaria vaccine

“…vaccination with plasmid DNA (pDNA) results in protective immunity in many species against viral, [5][6][7][8][9][10][11] bacterial, [12][13][14] and parasitic diseases, 15 including malaria. 16 Toward the goal of developing an effective genetic malaria vaccine, a phase I trial was recently completed in healthy volunteers using a pDNA vaccine encoding the malaria circumsporozoite protein from Plasmodium falciparum (PfCSP), the causative agent of malaria.…”

Molecular and immunological analysis of genetic prostate specific antigen (PSA) vaccine

“…Our group has reported on the use of this technology to produce immune responses in not only rodents, but also in non-human primates (Boyer et al, 1996(Boyer et al, , 1997. In addition, we initiated the ®rst human trials for DNA vaccines.…”

“…Nucleic acid immunization induces antigen-speci®c immune responses following injection of non-replicating plasmids directly into a host target tissue (Boyer et al, 1997;Davis et al, 1993;Fynan et al, 1993;Kim et al, 1997a,b;Kim and Weiner, 1998;Lu et al, 1995;Tang et al, 1992;Ulmer et al, 1993;Wang et al, 1993). Once injected, these non-replicating transcription units drive the synthesis of speci®c foreign proteins within the inoculated host.…”

Augmentation of natural immunity to a pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-alpha) by targeted DNA vaccine confers long-lasting resistance to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

“…A current use of endogenous cytokine genes in immunization protocols is for the increase of the pro-inflammatory (Th1) immune response against infectious agents such as tuberculosis, HIV and allergens such as mite proteins. 60,[77][78][79][80][81][82] This technology has also proved successful in eliciting immunity to self-antigens such as T cell receptor V genes and the shift towards a Th2 cell response. 62 In another recent study, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-␤) DNA vaccines were evaluated for their competence to inhibit the development of cell wall-induced arthritis.…”