1
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LL-37 antimicrobial peptide and heterologous prime-boost vaccination regimen significantly induce HIV-1 Nef-Vpr antigen- and virion-specific immune responses in mice. Biotechnol Lett 2023; 45:33-45. [PMID: 36550339 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-022-03339-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES HIV infection still remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The inability of highly-active antiretroviral therapy in HIV-1 eradication led to development of therapeutic vaccines. Exploiting effective immunogenic constructs and potent delivery systems are important to generate effective therapeutic vaccines, and overcome their poor membrane permeability. Among HIV-1 proteins, the Nef and Vpr proteins can be considered as antigen candidates in vaccine design. METHODS In this study, the immunogenicity of Nef-Vpr antigen candidate in different regimens along with antimicrobial peptide LL-37 (as a DNA carrier) and Montanide 720 (as an adjuvant) was studied in mice. Moreover, the secretion of cytokines was assessed in virion-exposed mice lymphocytes in vitro. RESULTS Our data indicated that groups immunized with the homologous protein + Montanide regimen (group 1), and also the heterologous DNA + LL-37 prime/protein + Montanide boost regimen (group 2) could significantly generate strong immune responses as compared to groups immunized with the DNA constructs (groups 3 & 4). Moreover, immunization of mice with the homologous DNA + LL-37 regimen in low dose of DNA (5 µg) could induce higher immune responses than the homologous naked DNA regimen in high dose of DNA (50 µg) indicating the role of LL-37 as a cell penetrating peptide. Additionally, the heterologous DNA + LL-37 prime/protein + Montanide boost regimen (group 2) induced significantly IFN-gamma secretion from virion-exposed lymphocytes in vitro. CONCLUSION Generally, the use of LL-37 for DNA delivery, Montanide 720 as an adjuvant, and heterologous DNA prime/protein boost strategy could significantly increase IgG2a, IFN-gamma, and Granzyme B, and maintain cytokine secretion after exposure to virions. Indeed, the heterologous DNA + LL-37 prime/protein + Montanide boost regimen can be considered as a potent strategy for development of therapeutic HIV vaccines.
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2
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Milani A, Baesi K, Agi E, Marouf G, Ahmadi M, Bolhassani A. HIV-1 Accessory Proteins: Which one is Potentially Effective in Diagnosis and Vaccine Development? Protein Pept Lett 2021; 28:687-698. [PMID: 33390106 DOI: 10.2174/0929866528999201231213610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) could increase the number of circulating naive CD4 T lymphocytes, but was not able to eradicate human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection. OBJECTIVE Thus, induction of strong immune responses is important for control of HIV-1 infection. Furthermore, a simple and perfect serological method is required to detect virus in untreated-, treated- and drug resistant- HIV-1 infected individuals. METHODS This study was conducted to assess and compare immunogenic properties of Nef, Vif, Vpr and Vpu accessory proteins as an antigen candidate in mice and their diagnostic importance in human as a biomarker. RESULTS Our data showed that in mice, all heterologous prime/ boost regimens were more potent than homologous prime/ boost regimens in eliciting Th1 response and Granzyme B secretion as CTL activity. Moreover, the Nef, Vpu and Vif proteins could significantly increase Th1 immune response. In contrast, the Vpr protein could considerably induce Th2 immune response. On the other hand, among four accessory proteins, HIV-1 Vpu could significantly detect treated group from untreated group as a possible biomarker in human. CONCLUSION Generally, among accessory proteins, Nef, Vpu and Vif antigens were potentially more suitable vaccine antigen candidates than Vpr antigen. Human antibodies against all these proteins were higher in HIV-1 different groups than healthy group. Among them, Vpu was known as a potent antigen in diagnosis of treated from untreated individuals. The potency of accessory proteins as an antigen candidate in an animal model and a human cohort study are underway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Milani
- Department of Hepatitis, AIDS and Blood Borne Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kazem Baesi
- Department of Hepatitis, AIDS and Blood Borne Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elnaz Agi
- Iranian Comprehensive Hemophilia Care Center, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ghazal Marouf
- Department of Hepatitis, AIDS and Blood Borne Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Ahmadi
- Department of Hepatitis, AIDS and Blood Borne Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Bolhassani
- Department of Hepatitis, AIDS and Blood Borne Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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3
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Khojasteh NF, Fekri M, Shabani SH, Milani A, Baesi K, Bolhassani A. Evaluation of HIV-1 Regulatory and Structural Proteins as Antigen Candidate in Mice and Humans. Curr HIV Res 2021; 19:225-237. [PMID: 33243125 DOI: 10.2174/1570162x18999201125212131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The diagnosis of HIV infection is important among different groups. Moreover, combination antiretroviral therapy is used to treat HIV-1, but it cannot eradicate the infection. Thus, the development of therapeutic vaccines, along with antiretroviral therapy, is recommended. This study evaluates the values of four HIV proteins as antigen candidates in therapeutic vaccine design as well as a possible diagnostic marker for HIV infection in humans. METHODS In this study, the HIV-1 Tat and Rev regulatory proteins and structural Gp120 and p24 proteins were generated in E. coli expression system. Their immunogenicity was evaluated in BALB/ c mice using homologous and heterologous prime/boost strategies. Moreover, the detection of anti- HIV IgG antibodies against these recombinant proteins was assessed in untreated (Naïve/ HIV-infected), treated, and drug-resistant patients compared to the healthy (control) group as a possible diagnostic marker for HIV infection. RESULTS In humans, our results showed that among HIV-1 proteins, anti-Gp120 antibody was not detected in treated individuals compared to the healthy (control) group. The levels of anti-Gp120 antibody were significantly different between the treated group and Naïve as well as drug-resistant subjects. Moreover, the level of anti-p24 antibody was significantly lower in the treated group than the Naive group. In mice, the results of immunization indicated that the Rev antigen could significantly induce IgG2a, IgG2b, and IFN-γ secretion aimed at Th1 response as well as Granzyme B generation as CTL activity in comparison with other antigens. Furthermore, the heterologous DNA prime/ protein boost regimen was more potent than the homologous regimen for stimulation of cellular immunity. CONCLUSION Briefly, the levels of both anti-Gp120 and anti-p24 antibodies can be considered for the diagnosis of the HIV-infected individuals in different groups compared to the healthy group. Moreover, among four recombinant proteins, Rev elicited Th1 cellular immunity and CTL activity in mice as an antigen candidate in therapeutic vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mehrshad Fekri
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Alireza Milani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kazem Baesi
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Bolhassani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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4
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Construction of a Prokaryotic Expression Vector harboring Two HIV-1 Accessory Genes. MEDICAL LABORATORY JOURNAL 2021. [DOI: 10.52547/mlj.15.2.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
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5
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Shabani SH, Kardani K, Milani A, Bolhassani A. In Silico and in Vivo Analysis of HIV-1 Rev Regulatory Protein for Evaluation of a Multiepitope-based Vaccine Candidate. Immunol Invest 2021; 51:1-28. [PMID: 33416004 DOI: 10.1080/08820139.2020.1867163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In silico-designed multiepitope conserved regions of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) proteins would be a beneficial strategy for antigen design which induces effective anti-HIV-1 T-cell responses. The conserved multiple HLA-DR-binding epitopes of Rev protein were identified using IEDB MHC-I prediction tools and SYFPEITHI webserver to screen potential T-cell epitopes. We analyzed toxicity, allergenicity, immunogenicity, hemolytic activity, cross-reactivity, cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) potency, and molecular docking of the candidate epitopes using several immune-informatics tools. Afterward, we designed a novel multiepitope construct based on non-toxic and non-allergenic Rev, Nef, Gp160 and P24-derived cytotoxic T cell (CTL) and T-helper cell (HTL) epitopes. Next, the designed construct (Nef-Rev-Gp160-P24) was subjected to three B-cell epitope prediction webservers, ProtParam and Protein-Sol to obtain the physicochemical features. Then, the recombinant multiepitope DNA and polypeptide constructs were complexed with different CPPs for nanoparticle formation and pass them via the cell membranes. Finally, the immunogenicity of multiepitope constructs in a variety of modalities was evaluated in mice. The results demonstrated that groups immunized with heterologous DNA+ MPG or HR9 CPP prime/rNef-Rev-Gp160-P24 polypeptide + LDP-NLS CPP boost regimens could significantly produce higher levels of IFN-γ and Granzyme B, and lower amounts of IL-10 than other groups. Moreover, higher levels of IgG2a and IgG2b were observed in all heterologous prime-boost regimens than homologous DNA or polypeptide regimens. Altogether, the present findings indicated that the Nef-Rev-Gp160-P24 polypeptide meets the criteria to be potentially useful as a multiepitope-based vaccine candidate against HIV-1 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samaneh H Shabani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kimia Kardani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Milani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Bolhassani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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6
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Delivery of HIV-1 Nef Protein in Mammalian Cells Using Cell Penetrating Peptides as a Candidate Therapeutic Vaccine. Int J Pept Res Ther 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-016-9547-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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7
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Co-delivery of LIGHT expression plasmid enhances humoral and cellular immune responses to HIV-1 Nef in mice. Arch Virol 2014; 159:1663-9. [PMID: 24435162 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-014-1981-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2013] [Accepted: 01/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The immunogenicity and efficacy of a DNA vaccine can be greatly enhanced when a gene adjuvant is used. LIGHT, a member of TNF superfamily, can function as a costimulatory molecule for human naïve T cells to proliferate and can be a potential gene adjuvant. In the current study, the eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA-nef was constructed by inserting a full-length nef gene into pcDNA3.1(+), and an in vitro transfection experiment suggested that the nef gene could be expressed successfully in mammalian cells. BALB/c mice were immunized with HIV-1 nef DNA vaccine plasmids alone or in combination with LIGHT expression plasmids, and the specific humoral and cellular immune responses were measured. The data showed that HIV-1 nef DNA vaccine plasmids could induce anti-Nef antibodies, Nef-specific lymphocyte proliferation and CTL activity, whereas stronger specific immune responses were induced in mice when co-immunizing with HIV-1 nef DNA vaccine plasmids and LIGHT expression plasmids, suggesting that the eukaryotic expression vector encoding HIV-1 nef is capable of inducing specific immune responses towards HIV-1 Nef and that LIGHT could be considered as a gene adjuvant for HIV-1 DNA vaccination.
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8
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Caputo A, Gavioli R, Bellino S, Longo O, Tripiciano A, Francavilla V, Sgadari C, Paniccia G, Titti F, Cafaro A, Ferrantelli F, Monini P, Ensoli F, Ensoli B. HIV-1 Tat-based vaccines: an overview and perspectives in the field of HIV/AIDS vaccine development. Int Rev Immunol 2009; 28:285-334. [PMID: 19811313 DOI: 10.1080/08830180903013026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The HIV epidemic continues to represent one of the major problems worldwide, particularly in the Asia and Sub-Saharan regions of the world, with social and economical devastating effects. Although antiretroviral drugs have had a dramatically beneficial impact on HIV-infected individuals that have access to treatment, it has had a negligible impact on the global epidemic. Hence, the inexorable spreading of the HIV pandemic and the increasing deaths from AIDS, especially in developing countries, underscore the urgency for an effective vaccine against HIV/AIDS. However, the generation of such a vaccine has turned out to be extremely challenging. Here we provide an overview on the rationale for the use of non-structural HIV proteins, such as the Tat protein, alone or in combination with other HIV early and late structural HIV antigens, as novel, promising preventative and therapeutic HIV/AIDS vaccine strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Caputo
- Department of Histology, Microbiology and Medical Biotechnology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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9
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Voltan R, Castaldello A, Brocca-Cofano E, De Michele R, Triulzi C, Altavilla G, Tondelli L, Laus M, Sparnacci K, Reali E, Gavioli R, Ensoli B, Caputo A. Priming with a very low dose of DNA complexed with cationic block copolymers followed by protein boost elicits broad and long-lasting antigen-specific humoral and cellular responses in mice. Vaccine 2009; 27:4498-507. [PMID: 19450649 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.05.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2008] [Revised: 05/08/2009] [Accepted: 05/10/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Cationic block copolymers spontaneously assemble via electrostatic interactions with DNA molecules in aqueous solution giving rise to micellar structures that protect the DNA from enzymatic degradation both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we have previously shown that they are safe, not immunogenic and greatly increased antigen-specific CTL responses following six intramuscular inoculations of a very low dose (1microg) of the vaccine DNA as compared to naked DNA. Nevertheless, they failed to elicit detectable humoral responses against the antigen. To gain further insight in the potential application of this technology, here we show that a shorter immunization protocol based on two DNA intramuscular inoculations of 1microg of DNA delivered by these copolymers and a protein boost elicits in mice broad (both humoral and cellular) and long-lasting responses and increases the antigen-specific Th1-type T cell responses and CTLs as compared to priming with naked DNA. These results indicate that cationic block copolymers represent a promising adjuvant and delivery technology for DNA vaccination strategies aimed at combating intracellular pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Voltan
- Department of Histology, Microbiology and Medical Biotechnology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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10
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Caputo A, Gavioli R, Bellino S, Longo O, Tripiciano A, Francavilla V, Sgadari C, Paniccia G, Titti F, Cafaro A, Ferrantelli F, Monini P, Ensoli F, Ensoli B. HIV-1 Tat-Based Vaccines: An Overview and Perspectives in the Field of HIV/AIDS Vaccine Development. Int Rev Immunol 2009. [DOI: 10.1080/08830180903013026 10.1080/08830180903013026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
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11
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Vermasvuori R, Koskinen J, Salonen K, Sirén N, Weegar J, Dahlbacka J, Kalkkinen N, von Weymarn N. Production of recombinant HIV-1 nef protein using different expression host systems: A techno-economical comparison. Biotechnol Prog 2009; 25:95-102. [DOI: 10.1002/btpr.69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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12
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Bozac A, Berto E, Vasquez F, Grandi P, Caputo A, Manservigi R, Ensoli B, Marconi P. Expression of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 tat from a replication-deficient herpes simplex type 1 vector induces antigen-specific T cell responses. Vaccine 2006; 24:7148-58. [PMID: 16884834 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.06.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2005] [Revised: 06/23/2006] [Accepted: 06/26/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Herpes simplex type-1 virus (HSV-1) based vectors have been widely used in different gene therapy approaches and also as experimental vaccines against HSV-1 infection. Recent advances in the HSV-1 technology do support the use of replication defective HSV-1 as vaccine vectors for delivery of foreign antigens. We have examined the ability of a recombinant replication-defective HSV-1 vector expressing the HIV-1 Tat protein to induce long-term Tat-specific immune responses in the Balb/c murine model. The results showed that vector administration by the subcutaneous route elicits anti-Tat specific T-cell mediated immune responses in mice characterized by the presence of the Tat-specific cytotoxic activity and production of high levels of IFN-gamma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Bozac
- University of Ferrara, Department of Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, Section of Microbiology, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44100 Ferrara, Italy
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13
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Blazevic V, Männik A, Malm M, Sikut R, Valtavaara M, Toots U, Ustav M, Krohn K. Induction of human immunodeficiency virus type-1-specific immunity with a novel gene transport unit (GTU)-MultiHIV DNA vaccine. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2006; 22:667-77. [PMID: 16831091 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2006.22.667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A multiHIV fusion gene expressing an antigenic fusion protein composed of regulatory HIV-1 proteins Rev, Nef, and Tat, as well as Gag p17/p24 and a stretch of 11 cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitope clusters from Pol and Env, was cloned into a novel DNA vector named the Gene Transport Unit (GTU). A mouse H-2(d)-restricted HIV-1 gp120 epitope (RGPGRAFVTI) was cloned into the fusion gene as well. In addition to the HIV- 1 genes the GTU codes for a nuclear anchoring protein (bovine papilloma virus E2), ensuring the long maintenance of the vector and a high expression level of the selected immunogens. BALB/c mice were immunized with the GTU-MultiHIV DNA construct by different routes and regimens of immunization to assess the immunogenicity of the DNA vaccine in vivo. Mice developed strong CD8(+) CTL responses to HIV-1 Env and Gag measured by an ELISPOT-IFN-gamma assay and chromium release assay. In addition, T cell responses to regulatory proteins Rev, Nef, and Tat were induced. Antibody responses were detected to each of the HIV antigens encoded by the DNA construct. Minimal doses of the GTU-MultiHIV DNA delivered by gene gun were potent in inducing significant HIV-specific CTL responses. The equivalent doses of the conventional plasmid expressing MultiHIV DNA delivered by gene gun failed to do so. An ideal DNA vaccine should yield high expression of the viral antigens for a prolonged period of time, and expression of the multiple viral antigens is probably required for the induction of a broad and protective immune response. The GTU-MultiHIV DNA vaccine described is a good vaccine candidate that meets the above criteria.
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MESH Headings
- AIDS Vaccines/genetics
- AIDS Vaccines/immunology
- Animals
- Antibodies, Antinuclear/immunology
- COS Cells
- Chlorocebus aethiops
- DNA-Binding Proteins/immunology
- Female
- Gene Products, gag/immunology
- Gene Products, nef/immunology
- Gene Products, rev/immunology
- Gene Products, tat/immunology
- HIV-1/immunology
- Humans
- Injections, Intramuscular
- Jurkat Cells
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Plasmids/genetics
- Plasmids/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Vaccines, DNA/genetics
- Vaccines, DNA/immunology
- Viral Proteins/immunology
- nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
- rev Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
- tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
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14
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Castaldello A, Brocca-Cofano E, Voltan R, Triulzi C, Altavilla G, Laus M, Sparnacci K, Ballestri M, Tondelli L, Fortini C, Gavioli R, Ensoli B, Caputo A. DNA prime and protein boost immunization with innovative polymeric cationic core-shell nanoparticles elicits broad immune responses and strongly enhance cellular responses of HIV-1 tat DNA vaccination. Vaccine 2006; 24:5655-69. [PMID: 16781023 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.05.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2005] [Revised: 05/10/2006] [Accepted: 05/16/2006] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Novel biocompatible core-shell cationic nanoparticles, composed of an inner hard core of poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) and a hydrophilic tentacular shell bearing positively charged groups and poly(ethyleneglycol) chains covalently bound to the core, were prepared by emulsion polymerization and characterized in vitro and in vivo for DNA vaccine applications. The nanoparticles reversibly adsorbed large amounts of DNA, mainly through electrostatic interactions, preserved its functional structure, efficiently delivered it intracellularly, and were not toxic in vitro or in mice. Furthermore, two intramuscular (i.m.) immunizations (4 weeks apart) with a very low dose (1 microg) of the plasmid pCV-tat delivered by these nanoparticles followed by one or two protein boosts induced significant antigen-specific humoral and cellular responses and greatly increased Th1-type T cell responses and CTLs against HIV-1 Tat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Castaldello
- Department of Histology, Microbiology and Medical Biotechnology, Section of Microbiology, University of Padova, Via A. Gabelli 63, 35122 Padova, Italy
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15
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Ferrantelli F, Cafaro A, Ensoli B. Nonstructural HIV proteins as targets for prophylactic or therapeutic vaccines. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2004; 15:543-56. [PMID: 15560981 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2004.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
By the end of 2004, more than 20 HIV-1 vaccine candidates will have entered clinical testing in at least 30 trials worldwide. Almost half of these vaccines include nonstructural HIV-1 gene products. This represents an important innovation in the HIV vaccine field, because until 9 years ago not even preclinical testing in small animal models had been carried out with such immunogens. This review briefly discusses the experimental evidence that provides the rationale for the use of nonstructural HIV-1 gene products as vaccine antigens, and summarizes the current status and the future development of these novel vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Ferrantelli
- AIDS Division, Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
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16
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Caputo A, Gavioli R, Altavilla G, Brocca-Cofano E, Boarini C, Betti M, Castaldello A, Lorenzini F, Micheletti F, Cafaro A, Sparnacci K, Laus M, Tondelli L, Ensoli B. Immunization with low doses of HIV-1 tat DNA delivered by novel cationic block copolymers induces CTL responses against Tat. Vaccine 2003; 21:1103-11. [PMID: 12559787 DOI: 10.1016/s0264-410x(02)00555-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Cytotoxic T cell responses are key to the control of intracellular pathogens including HIV-1. In particular, HIV-1 vaccines based on regulatory proteins, such as Tat, are aimed at controlling HIV-1 replication and at blocking disease development by inducing cytotoxic T cell responses. Naked DNA is capable of inducing such responses but it requires several inoculations of high amounts of DNA, and/or prime-boost regimens. Here, we show that a novel class of cationic block copolymers protect the DNA from DNAse I digestion, and improve DNA delivery to antigen-presenting cells (APCs) after intramuscular (i.m.) vaccination. In particular, three cationic block copolymers (K1, K2 and K5) were used to deliver the HIV-1 pCV-tat DNA vaccine in BALB/c mice. The results indicate that vaccination with a very low dose (1 microg) of pCV-tat delivered by the cationic block copolymer K2 is safe and, as compared to naked DNA (up to 30 microg), greatly increases the CTL response against Tat, which was detected in all animals in the absence or in the presence of re-stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Caputo
- Department of Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine, Section of Microbiology, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, I-44100 Ferrara, Italy.
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17
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Patterson LJ, Malkevitch N, Zhao J, Peng B, Robert-Guroff M. Potent, persistent cellular immune responses elicited by sequential immunization of rhesus macaques with Ad5 host range mutant recombinants encoding SIV Rev and SIV Nef. DNA Cell Biol 2002; 21:627-35. [PMID: 12396605 DOI: 10.1089/104454902760330165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccines incorporating multiple HIV components should elicit broad immunity and protection against a spectrum of HIV strains. Early regulatory and accessory gene products are attractive candidates for such vaccines. Here, immunogenicity studies on SIV Rev and Nef expressed in replication competent Adenovirus type 5 host range mutant vectors (Ad5hr) are summarized. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-secreting cells in response to Env and Rev peptides were enumerated by ELISPOT after two sequential immunizations of 55 macaques with Ad5hr-SIVenv/rev. Responses to SIV Nef were assessed in 16 macaques also immunized with Ad5hr-SIVnef. Potent cellular immunity to both Rev and Nef was induced following the second Ad-recombinant immunization and persisted for at least 30 weeks. Persistent cellular immunity to SIV Env was also seen, with a mean of 700 IFN-gamma-secreting cells per million PBMC. Rev and Env responses were positively correlated. While greater responses to early gene products occur in natural infection, as immunogens Rev and Nef elicited the same number of IFN-gamma secreting cells as Env, after adjusting for differences in protein size. The same percentage of macaques also responded to Rev, Nef, and Env: 59, 63, and 64%, respectively. Overall, Ad5hrSIVenv/rev and -SIVnef were highly effective immunogens. Their contribution to protective efficacy will be addressed in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Jean Patterson
- Basic Research Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-5055, USA
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18
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Agwale SM, Shata MT, Reitz MS, Kalyanaraman VS, Gallo RC, Popovic M, Hone DM. A Tat subunit vaccine confers protective immunity against the immune-modulating activity of the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 Tat protein in mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2002; 99:10037-41. [PMID: 12096189 PMCID: PMC126620 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.152313899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The rational design of new therapies against HIV-1 necessitates an improved understanding of the mechanisms underlying the production of ineffective immune responses to HIV-1 in most infected individuals. This report shows that the CD8(+) T cell responses to gp120 were greatly diminished in mice vaccinated with a bicistronic gp120-Tat DNA vaccine, compared with those induced by a DNA vaccine encoding gp120 alone. The CD8(+) T cell responses induced by the latter included strong gp120-specific IFN-gamma secretion and protective antiviral immunity against challenge by a vaccinia-env pseudotype. The degree to which Tat influenced CD8(+) T cell responses depended on the bioactivity of Tat. Thus, a bicistronic DNA vaccine that expresses gp120 and a truncated Tat defective for LTR activation elicited strong IFN-gamma -secreting CD8(+) T cell responses to gp120 but conferred only marginal protection against the vaccinia-env challenge. The effect of Tat was completely blocked, however, by immunization with inactivated Tat protein before vaccination with the bicistronic gp120-Tat DNA vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Agwale
- Division of Vaccine Research, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA
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