1
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Berger A, Pedersen J, Kowatsch MM, Scholte F, Lafrance MA, Azizi H, Li Y, Gomez A, Wade M, Fausther-Bovendo H, de La Vega MA, Jelinski J, Babuadze G, Nepveu-Traversy ME, Lamarre C, Racine T, Kang CY, Gaillet B, Garnier A, Gilbert R, Kamen A, Yao XJ, Fowke KR, Arts E, Kobinger G. Impact of Recombinant VSV-HIV Prime, DNA-Boost Vaccine Candidates on Immunogenicity and Viremia on SHIV-Infected Rhesus Macaques. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:369. [PMID: 38675751 PMCID: PMC11053682 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12040369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Currently, no effective vaccine to prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is available, and various platforms are being examined. The vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) vaccine vehicle can induce robust humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, making it a suitable candidate for the development of an HIV vaccine. Here, we analyze the protective immunological impacts of recombinant VSV vaccine vectors that express chimeric HIV Envelope proteins (Env) in rhesus macaques. To improve the immunogenicity of these VSV-HIV Env vaccine candidates, we generated chimeric Envs containing the transmembrane and cytoplasmic tail of the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), which increases surface Env on the particle. Additionally, the Ebola virus glycoprotein was added to the VSV-HIV vaccine particles to divert tropism from CD4 T cells and enhance their replications both in vitro and in vivo. Animals were boosted with DNA constructs that encoded matching antigens. Vaccinated animals developed non-neutralizing antibody responses against both the HIV Env and the Ebola virus glycoprotein (EBOV GP) as well as systemic memory T-cell activation. However, these responses were not associated with observable protection against simian-HIV (SHIV) infection following repeated high-dose intra-rectal SHIV SF162p3 challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Berger
- Département de Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Unversité Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; (A.B.); (J.P.); (F.S.); (M.-A.L.); (H.A.); (A.G.); (M.W.); (H.F.-B.); (M.-A.d.L.V.); (G.B.); (C.L.)
| | - Jannie Pedersen
- Département de Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Unversité Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; (A.B.); (J.P.); (F.S.); (M.-A.L.); (H.A.); (A.G.); (M.W.); (H.F.-B.); (M.-A.d.L.V.); (G.B.); (C.L.)
| | - Monika M. Kowatsch
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada; (M.M.K.); (K.R.F.)
| | - Florine Scholte
- Département de Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Unversité Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; (A.B.); (J.P.); (F.S.); (M.-A.L.); (H.A.); (A.G.); (M.W.); (H.F.-B.); (M.-A.d.L.V.); (G.B.); (C.L.)
| | - Marc-Alexandre Lafrance
- Département de Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Unversité Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; (A.B.); (J.P.); (F.S.); (M.-A.L.); (H.A.); (A.G.); (M.W.); (H.F.-B.); (M.-A.d.L.V.); (G.B.); (C.L.)
| | - Hiva Azizi
- Département de Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Unversité Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; (A.B.); (J.P.); (F.S.); (M.-A.L.); (H.A.); (A.G.); (M.W.); (H.F.-B.); (M.-A.d.L.V.); (G.B.); (C.L.)
| | - Yue Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada; (Y.L.); (C.-Y.K.); (E.A.)
| | - Alejandro Gomez
- Département de Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Unversité Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; (A.B.); (J.P.); (F.S.); (M.-A.L.); (H.A.); (A.G.); (M.W.); (H.F.-B.); (M.-A.d.L.V.); (G.B.); (C.L.)
| | - Matthew Wade
- Département de Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Unversité Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; (A.B.); (J.P.); (F.S.); (M.-A.L.); (H.A.); (A.G.); (M.W.); (H.F.-B.); (M.-A.d.L.V.); (G.B.); (C.L.)
| | - Hugues Fausther-Bovendo
- Département de Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Unversité Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; (A.B.); (J.P.); (F.S.); (M.-A.L.); (H.A.); (A.G.); (M.W.); (H.F.-B.); (M.-A.d.L.V.); (G.B.); (C.L.)
| | - Marc-Antoine de La Vega
- Département de Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Unversité Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; (A.B.); (J.P.); (F.S.); (M.-A.L.); (H.A.); (A.G.); (M.W.); (H.F.-B.); (M.-A.d.L.V.); (G.B.); (C.L.)
| | - Joseph Jelinski
- Galveston National Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA;
| | - George Babuadze
- Département de Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Unversité Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; (A.B.); (J.P.); (F.S.); (M.-A.L.); (H.A.); (A.G.); (M.W.); (H.F.-B.); (M.-A.d.L.V.); (G.B.); (C.L.)
| | | | - Claude Lamarre
- Département de Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Unversité Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; (A.B.); (J.P.); (F.S.); (M.-A.L.); (H.A.); (A.G.); (M.W.); (H.F.-B.); (M.-A.d.L.V.); (G.B.); (C.L.)
| | - Trina Racine
- Axe des Maladies Infectieuses et Immunitaires, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1E 6W2, Canada; (T.R.); (X.-J.Y.)
| | - Chil-Yong Kang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada; (Y.L.); (C.-Y.K.); (E.A.)
| | - Bruno Gaillet
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Laval University, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; (B.G.); (A.G.)
| | - Alain Garnier
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Laval University, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; (B.G.); (A.G.)
| | - Rénald Gilbert
- Department of Production Platforms and Analytics, Human Health Therapeutics Research Center, National Research Council, Montreal, QC H4P 2R2, Canada;
| | - Amine Kamen
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada;
| | - Xiao-Jian Yao
- Axe des Maladies Infectieuses et Immunitaires, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1E 6W2, Canada; (T.R.); (X.-J.Y.)
| | - Keith R. Fowke
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada; (M.M.K.); (K.R.F.)
| | - Eric Arts
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada; (Y.L.); (C.-Y.K.); (E.A.)
| | - Gary Kobinger
- Galveston National Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA;
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2
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Jelinski J, Kowatsch MM, Lafrance MA, Berger A, Pedersen J, Azizi H, Li Y, Scholte F, Gomez A, Hollett N, Le T, Wade M, Fausther-Bovendo H, de La Vega MA, Babuadze G, XIII A, Lamarre C, Racine T, Kang CY, Yao XJ, Alter G, Arts E, Fowke KR, Kobinger GP. Rhesus macaques show increased resistance to repeated SHIV intrarectal exposure following a heterologous regimen of rVSV vector vaccine expressing HIV antigen. Emerg Microbes Infect 2023; 12:2251595. [PMID: 37649434 PMCID: PMC10486302 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2023.2251595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Despite the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic continuing worldwide for 40 years, no vaccine to combat the disease has been licenced for use in at risk populations. Here, we describe a novel recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV) vector vaccine expressing modified HIV envelope glycoproteins and Ebola virus glycoprotein. Three heterologous immunizations successfully prevented infection by a different clade SHIV in 60% of non-human primates (NHPs). No trend was observed between resistance and antibody interactions. Resistance to infection was associated with high proportions of central memory T-cell CD69 and CD154 marker upregulation, increased IL-2 production, and a reduced IFN-γ response, offering insight into correlates of protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Jelinski
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Monika M. Kowatsch
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | | | - Alice Berger
- Département de Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Jannie Pedersen
- Axe des Maladies Infectieuses et Immunitaires, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Hiva Azizi
- Département de Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Yue Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
| | - Florine Scholte
- Département de Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Alejandro Gomez
- Département de Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Natasha Hollett
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Toby Le
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Matthew Wade
- Axe des Maladies Infectieuses et Immunitaires, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Hugues Fausther-Bovendo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Marc-Antoine de La Vega
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - George Babuadze
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Ara XIII
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Claude Lamarre
- Axe des Maladies Infectieuses et Immunitaires, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Trina Racine
- Axe des Maladies Infectieuses et Immunitaires, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Chil-Yong Kang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
| | - Xiao-Jian Yao
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Galit Alter
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Eric Arts
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
| | - Keith R. Fowke
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Gary P. Kobinger
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
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3
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Kozlowski PA, Aldovini A. Mucosal Vaccine Approaches for Prevention of HIV and SIV Transmission. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 15:102-122. [PMID: 31452652 DOI: 10.2174/1573395514666180605092054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Optimal protective immunity to HIV will likely require that plasma cells, memory B cells and memory T cells be stationed in mucosal tissues at portals of viral entry. Mucosal vaccine administration is more effective than parenteral vaccine delivery for this purpose. The challenge has been to achieve efficient vaccine uptake at mucosal surfaces, and to identify safe and effective adjuvants, especially for mucosally administered HIV envelope protein immunogens. Here, we discuss strategies used to deliver potential HIV vaccine candidates in the intestine, respiratory tract, and male and female genital tract of humans and nonhuman primates. We also review mucosal adjuvants, including Toll-like receptor agonists, which may adjuvant both mucosal humoral and cellular immune responses to HIV protein immunogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela A Kozlowski
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Anna Aldovini
- Department of Medicine, and Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Boston MA, 02115, USA
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4
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Li H, Hai Y, Lim SY, Toledo N, Crecente-Campo J, Schalk D, Li L, Omange RW, Dacoba TG, Liu LR, Kashem MA, Wan Y, Liang B, Li Q, Rakasz E, Schultz-Darken N, Alonso MJ, Plummer FA, Whitney JB, Luo M. Mucosal antibody responses to vaccines targeting SIV protease cleavage sites or full-length Gag and Env proteins in Mauritian cynomolgus macaques. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0202997. [PMID: 30153293 PMCID: PMC6112674 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
HIV mutates rapidly and infects CD4+ T cells, especially when they are activated. A vaccine targeting conserved, essential viral elements while limiting CD4+ T cell activation could be effective. Learning from natural immunity observed in a group of highly HIV-1 exposed seronegative Kenyan female sex workers, we are testing a novel candidate HIV vaccine targeting the 12 viral protease cleavage sites (PCSs) (the PCS vaccine), in comparison with a vaccine targeting full-length Gag and Env (the Gag/Env vaccine) in a Mauritian cynomolgus macaque/SIV model. In this study we evaluated these vaccines for induction of mucosal antibodies to SIV immunogens at the female genital tract. Bio-Plex and Western blot analyses of cervicovaginal lavage samples showed that both the PCS and Gag/Env vaccines can elicit mucosal IgG antibody responses to SIV immunogens. Significantly higher increase of anti-PCS antibodies was induced by the PCS vaccine than by the Gag/Env vaccine (p<0.0001). The effect of the mucosal antibody responses in protection from repeated low dose pathogenic SIVmac251 challenges is being evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongzhao Li
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Yan Hai
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - So-Yon Lim
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Nikki Toledo
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Jose Crecente-Campo
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), Campus Vida, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Dane Schalk
- Scientific Protocol Implementation Unit, Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Lin Li
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Robert W Omange
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Tamara G Dacoba
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), Campus Vida, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Lewis R Liu
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Mohammad Abul Kashem
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Yanmin Wan
- Nebraska Center for Virology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States of America
| | - Binhua Liang
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Qingsheng Li
- Nebraska Center for Virology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States of America
| | - Eva Rakasz
- Immunology Services Unit, Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Nancy Schultz-Darken
- Scientific Protocol Implementation Unit, Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Maria J Alonso
- Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), Campus Vida, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Francis A Plummer
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - James B Whitney
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America.,Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
| | - Ma Luo
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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5
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Hu X, Lu Z, Valentin A, Rosati M, Broderick KE, Sardesai NY, Marx PA, Mullins JI, Pavlakis GN, Felber BK. Gag and env conserved element CE DNA vaccines elicit broad cytotoxic T cell responses targeting subdominant epitopes of HIV and SIV Able to recognize virus-infected cells in macaques. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2018; 14:2163-2177. [PMID: 29939820 PMCID: PMC6183272 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2018.1489949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
HIV sequence diversity and the propensity of eliciting immunodominant responses targeting inessential variable regions are hurdles in the development of an effective AIDS vaccine. We developed a DNA vaccine comprising conserved elements (CE) of SIV p27Gag and HIV-1 Env and found that priming vaccination with CE DNA is critical to efficiently overcome the dominance imposed by Gag and Env variable regions. Here, we show that DNA vaccinated macaques receiving the CE prime/CE+full-length DNA co-delivery booster vaccine regimens developed broad, potent and durable cytotoxic T cell responses targeting conserved protein segments of SIV Gag and HIV Env. Gag CE-specific T cells showed robust anamnestic responses upon infection with SIVmac239 which led to the identification of CE-specific cytotoxic lymphocytes able to recognize epitopes covering distinct CE on the surface of SIV infected cells in vivo. Though not controlling infection overall, we found an inverse correlation between Gag CE-specific CD8+ T cell responses and peak viremia. The T cell responses induced by the HIV Env CE immunogen were recalled in some animals upon SIV infection, leading to the identification of two cross-reactive epitopes between HIV and SIV Env based in sequence homology. These data demonstrate that a vaccine combining Gag and Env CE DNA subverted the normal immunodominance patterns, eliciting immune responses that included subdominant, highly conserved epitopes. These vaccine regimens augment cytotoxic T cell responses to highly conserved epitopes in the viral proteome and maximize response breadth. The vaccine-induced CE-specific T cells were expanded upon SIV infection, indicating that the predicted CE epitopes incorporated in the DNA vaccine are processed and exposed by infected cells in their natural context within the viral proteome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xintao Hu
- a Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick , Frederick , MD , USA
| | - Zhongyan Lu
- a Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick , Frederick , MD , USA
| | - Antonio Valentin
- b Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research , National Cancer Institute at Frederick , Frederick, Frederick , MD , USA
| | - Margherita Rosati
- b Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research , National Cancer Institute at Frederick , Frederick, Frederick , MD , USA
| | | | | | - Preston A Marx
- d Tulane National Primate Research Center and Department of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine , Tulane University , New Orleans , LA , USA
| | - James I Mullins
- e Departments of Microbiology, Medicine and Laboratory Medicine , University of Washington , Seattle , WA , USA
| | - George N Pavlakis
- b Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research , National Cancer Institute at Frederick , Frederick, Frederick , MD , USA
| | - Barbara K Felber
- a Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick , Frederick , MD , USA
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6
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Hu X, Valentin A, Cai Y, Dayton F, Rosati M, Ramírez-Salazar EG, Kulkarni V, Broderick KE, Sardesai NY, Wyatt LS, Earl PL, Moss B, Mullins JI, Pavlakis GN, Felber BK. DNA Vaccine-Induced Long-Lasting Cytotoxic T Cells Targeting Conserved Elements of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Gag Are Boosted Upon DNA or Recombinant Modified Vaccinia Ankara Vaccination. Hum Gene Ther 2018; 29:1029-1043. [PMID: 29869530 PMCID: PMC6152849 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2018.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA-based vaccines able to induce efficient cytotoxic T-cell responses targeting conserved elements (CE) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Gag have been developed. These CE were selected by stringent conservation, the ability to induce T-cell responses with broad human leukocyte antigen coverage, and the association between recognition of CE epitopes and viral control in HIV-infected individuals. Based on homology to HIV, a simian immunodeficiency virus p27gag CE DNA vaccine has also been developed. This study reports on the durability of the CE-specific T-cell responses induced by HIV and simian immunodeficiency virus CE DNA-based prime/boost vaccine regimens in rhesus macaques, and shows that the initially primed CE-specific T-cell responses were efficiently boosted by a single CE DNA vaccination after the long rest period (up to 2 years). In another cohort of animals, the study shows that a single inoculation with non-replicating recombinant Modified Vaccinia Ankara (rMVA62B) also potently boosted CE-specific responses after around 1.5 years of rest. Both CE DNA and rMVA62B booster vaccinations increased the magnitude and cytotoxicity of the CE-specific responses while maintaining the breadth of CE recognition. Env produced by rMVA62B did not negatively interfere with the recall of the Gag CE responses. rMVA62B could be beneficial to further boosting the immune response to Gag in humans. Vaccine regimens that employ CE DNA as a priming immunogen hold promise for application in HIV prevention and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xintao Hu
- 1 Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Antonio Valentin
- 2 Human Retrovirus Section, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Yanhui Cai
- 1 Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Frances Dayton
- 1 Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Margherita Rosati
- 2 Human Retrovirus Section, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland
| | | | - Viraj Kulkarni
- 1 Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland
| | | | | | - Linda S Wyatt
- 4 Laboratory of Viral Diseases, NIAID, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | - Bernard Moss
- 4 Laboratory of Viral Diseases, NIAID, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | - George N Pavlakis
- 2 Human Retrovirus Section, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Barbara K Felber
- 1 Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland
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7
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Andersson AMC, Holst PJ. Increased T cell breadth and antibody response elicited in prime-boost regimen by viral vector encoded homologous SIV Gag/Env in outbred CD1 mice. J Transl Med 2016; 14:343. [PMID: 27998269 PMCID: PMC5175304 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-016-1102-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A major obstacle for the development of HIV vaccines is the virus' worldwide sequence diversity. Nevertheless, the presence of T cell epitopes within conserved regions of the virus' structural Gag protein and conserved structures in the envelope (env) sequence raises the possibility that cross-reactive responses may be induced by vaccination. In this study, the aim was to investigate the importance of antigenic match on immunodominance and breadth of obtainable T cell responses. METHODS Outbred CD1 mice were immunized with either heterologous (SIVmac239 and HIV-1 clade B consensus) or homologous (SIVmac239) gag sequences using adenovirus (Ad5) and MVA vectors. Env (SIVmac239) was co-encoded in the vectors to study the induction of antibodies, which is a primary target of current HIV vaccine designs. All three vaccines were designed as virus-encoded virus-like particle vaccines. Antibody responses were analysed by ELISA, avidity ELISA, and neutralization assay. T cell responses were determined by intracellular cytokine staining of splenocytes. RESULTS The homologous Env/Gag prime-boost regimen induced higher Env binding antibodies, and induced stronger and broader Gag specific CD8+ T cell responses than the homologous Env/heterologous Gag prime-boost regimen. Homologous Env/heterologous Gag immunization resulted in selective boosting of Env specific CD8+ T cell responses and consequently a paradoxical decreased recognition of variant sequences including conserved elements of p24 Gag. CONCLUSIONS These results contrast with related studies using Env or Gag as the sole antigen and suggest that prime-boost immunizations based on homologous SIVmac239 Gag inserts is an efficient component of genetic VLP vaccines-both for induction of potent antibody responses and cross-reactive CD8+ T cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Marie Carola Andersson
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Center for Medical Parasitology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Peter Johannes Holst
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Center for Medical Parasitology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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8
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Abstract
Vaccination is essential in livestock farming and in companion animal ownership. Nucleic acid vaccines based on DNA or RNA provide an elegant alternative to those classical veterinary vaccines that have performed suboptimally. Recent advances in terms of rational design, safety, and efficacy have strengthened the position of nucleic acid vaccines in veterinary vaccinology. The present review focuses on replicon vaccines designed for veterinary use. Replicon vaccines are self-amplifying viral RNA sequences that, in addition to the sequence encoding the antigen of interest, contain all elements necessary for RNA replication. Vaccination results in high levels of in situ antigen expression and induction of potent immune responses. Both positive- and negative-stranded viruses have been used to construct replicons, and they can be delivered as RNA, DNA, or viral replicon particles. An introduction to the biology and the construction of different viral replicon vectors is given, and examples of veterinary replicon vaccine applications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia C Hikke
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands;
| | - Gorben P Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands;
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9
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Replicon RNA Viral Vectors as Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2016; 4:vaccines4040039. [PMID: 27827980 PMCID: PMC5192359 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines4040039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Revised: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Single-stranded RNA viruses of both positive and negative polarity have been used as vectors for vaccine development. In this context, alphaviruses, flaviviruses, measles virus and rhabdoviruses have been engineered for expression of surface protein genes and antigens. Administration of replicon RNA vectors has resulted in strong immune responses and generation of neutralizing antibodies in various animal models. Immunization of mice, chicken, pigs and primates with virus-like particles, naked RNA or layered DNA/RNA plasmids has provided protection against challenges with lethal doses of infectious agents and administered tumor cells. Both prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy has been achieved in cancer immunotherapy. Moreover, recombinant particles and replicon RNAs have been encapsulated by liposomes to improve delivery and targeting. Replicon RNA vectors have also been subjected to clinical trials. Overall, immunization with self-replicating RNA viruses provides high transient expression levels of antigens resulting in generation of neutralizing antibody responses and protection against lethal challenges under safe conditions.
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10
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Hu X, Valentin A, Dayton F, Kulkarni V, Alicea C, Rosati M, Chowdhury B, Gautam R, Broderick KE, Sardesai NY, Martin MA, Mullins JI, Pavlakis GN, Felber BK. DNA Prime-Boost Vaccine Regimen To Increase Breadth, Magnitude, and Cytotoxicity of the Cellular Immune Responses to Subdominant Gag Epitopes of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus and HIV. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2016; 197:3999-4013. [PMID: 27733554 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1600697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
HIV sequence diversity and the propensity of eliciting immunodominant responses targeting variable regions of the HIV proteome are hurdles in the development of an effective AIDS vaccine. An HIV-derived conserved element (CE) p24gag plasmid DNA (pDNA) vaccine is able to redirect immunodominant responses to otherwise subdominant and often more vulnerable viral targets. By homology to the HIV immunogen, seven CE were identified in SIV p27Gag Analysis of 31 rhesus macaques vaccinated with full-length SIV gag pDNA showed inefficient induction (58% response rate) of cellular responses targeting these CE. In contrast, all 14 macaques immunized with SIV p27CE pDNA developed robust T cell responses recognizing CE. Vaccination with p27CE pDNA was also critical for the efficient induction and increased the frequency of Ag-specific T cells with cytotoxic potential (granzyme B+ CD107a+) targeting subdominant CE epitopes, compared with the responses elicited by the p57gag pDNA vaccine. Following p27CE pDNA priming, two booster regimens, gag pDNA or codelivery of p27CE+gag pDNA, significantly increased the levels of CE-specific T cells. However, the CE+gag pDNA booster vaccination elicited significantly broader CE epitope recognition, and thus, a more profound alteration of the immunodominance hierarchy. Vaccination with HIV molecules showed that CE+gag pDNA booster regimen further expanded the breadth of HIV CE responses. Hence, SIV/HIV vaccine regimens comprising CE pDNA prime and CE+gag pDNA booster vaccination significantly increased cytotoxic T cell responses to subdominant highly conserved Gag epitopes and maximized response breadth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xintao Hu
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702
| | - Antonio Valentin
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702
| | - Frances Dayton
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702
| | - Viraj Kulkarni
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702
| | - Candido Alicea
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702
| | - Margherita Rosati
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702
| | - Bhabadeb Chowdhury
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702
| | - Rajeev Gautam
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | | | | | - Malcolm A Martin
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - James I Mullins
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195.,Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195.,Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195; and.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
| | - George N Pavlakis
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702;
| | - Barbara K Felber
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702;
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11
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Williamson AL, Rybicki EP. Justification for the inclusion of Gag in HIV vaccine candidates. Expert Rev Vaccines 2015; 15:585-98. [PMID: 26645951 DOI: 10.1586/14760584.2016.1129904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
It is widely accepted that effective human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccines need to elicit a range of responses, including neutralising antibodies and T-cells. In natural HIV infections, immune responses to Gag are associated with lower viral load in infected individuals, and these responses can be measured against infected cells before the replication of HIV. Priming immune responses to Gag with DNA or recombinant Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccines, and boosting with Gag virus-like particles as subunit vaccines or Gag produced in vivo by other vaccine vectors, elicits high-magnitude, broad polyfunctional responses, with memory T-cell responses appropriate for virus control. This review provides justification for the inclusion of HIV Gag in vaccine regimens, either as a transgene expressing protein that may assemble to form budded particles, or as purified virus-like particles. Possible benefits would include early control via CD8(+) T-cells at the site of infection, control of spread from the entry portal, and control of viraemia if infection is established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Lise Williamson
- a Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine , University of Cape Town , Cape Town , South Africa.,b National Health Laboratory Service, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town and Department of Pathology , University of Cape Town , Cape Town , South Africa
| | - Edward P Rybicki
- a Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine , University of Cape Town , Cape Town , South Africa.,c Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology , University of Cape Town , Cape Town , South Africa
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12
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What Do Chaotrope-Based Avidity Assays for Antibodies to HIV-1 Envelope Glycoproteins Measure? J Virol 2015; 89:5981-95. [PMID: 25810537 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00320-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED When HIV-1 vaccine candidates that include soluble envelope glycoproteins (Env) are tested in humans and other species, the resulting antibody responses to Env are sifted for correlates of protection or risk. One frequently used assay measures the reduction in antibody binding to Env antigens by an added chaotrope (such as thiocyanate). Based on that assay, an avidity index was devised for assessing the affinity maturation of antibodies of unknown concentration in polyclonal sera. Since a high avidity index was linked to protection in animal models of HIV-1 infection, it has become a criterion for evaluating antibody responses to vaccine candidates. But what does the assay measure and what does an avidity index mean? Here, we have used a panel of monoclonal antibodies to well-defined epitopes on Env (gp120, gp41, and SOSIP.664 trimers) to explore how the chaotrope acts. We conclude that the chaotrope sensitivity of antibody binding to Env depends on several properties of the epitopes (continuity versus tertiary- and quaternary-structural dependence) and that the avidity index has no simple relationship to antibody affinity for functional Env spikes on virions. We show that the binding of broadly neutralizing antibodies against quaternary-structural epitopes is particularly sensitive to chaotrope treatment, whereas antibody binding to epitopes in variable loops and to nonneutralization epitopes in gp41 is generally resistant. As a result of such biases, the avidity index may at best be a mere surrogate for undefined antibody or other immune responses that correlate weakly with protection. IMPORTANCE An effective HIV-1 vaccine is an important goal. Such a vaccine will probably need to induce antibodies that neutralize typically transmitted variants of HIV-1, preventing them from infecting target cells. Vaccine candidates have so far failed to induce such antibody responses, although some do protect weakly against infection in animals and, possibly, humans. In the search for responses associated with protection, an avidity assay based on chemical disruption is often used to measure the strength of antibody binding. We have analyzed this assay mechanistically and found that the epitope specificity of an antibody has a greater influence on the outcome than does its affinity. As a result, the avidity assay is biased toward the detection of some antibody specificities while disfavoring others. We conclude that the assay may yield merely indirect correlations with weak protection, specifically when Env vaccination has failed to induce broad neutralizing responses.
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