Improved SIV DNA vaccine can be effectively used as a boost for Ad5 in prime–boost immunization strategy

Abstract

In the study under evaluation, optimized SIV DNA were used to boost T-cell responses induced by a highly immunogenic SIV Ad5-prime in Chinese rhesus macaques. A regular prime–boost regimen (SIV DNA-prime and rAd boost) and naive macaques were used as the control. After vaccination, the animals were challenged intrarectally with SIVmac251, and partial protection was observed in the macaques immunized by the Ad5-prime DNA-boost regimen. SIV-specific T-cell responses in the enzyme-linked immunospot assay were significantly higher in the Ad5-prime DNA-boost, compared with the responses in the control macaques. Viral control correlated with the generation of HLA-DR+ T cells 2 weeks after the viral challenge. Further studies using prime and boost strategies and alternative routes of vaccination (including a simultaneous approach) are warranted to fully explore the potential of prime and boost regimens for HIV-1 vaccine development.

Keywords::

• AIDS
• cytokines
• DNA vaccine
• IFN-γ
• prime – boost
• protection
• recombinant adenovirus
• SIVmac251
• systemic vaccine
• T cells
• viral transmission

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The author has no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.