Short communication: Enhancement of immunogenicity of replication-defective adenovirus-based human immunodeficiency virus vaccines in Rhesus Monkeys

Caijun Sun, Yinfeng Zhang, Yichu Liu, Maochao Zhang, Ling Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Adenovirus (Ad) is still under extensive investigation as a vector for HIV vaccination; however, one possible explanation for the failure of Merck's STEP trial is the relatively weak immunogenicity of replication-defective Ad vectors. In this study, a novel strategy to enhance the immunogenicity of replication-defective Ad-based HIV vaccines was developed. First, a recombinant plasmid expressing adenoviral E1 protein (pVAX-E1) was constructed to complement the E1-deleted replication-defective Ad vectors in trans. Then, the immunogenicity of the vaccine regimen of Ad5-HIV gag plus pVAX-E1 plasmid was assessed in rhesus macaques. Compared with traditional administration of Ad-based vectors alone, the results showed that our strategy elicited a more sustained and robust HIV gag-specific cellular response and enhanced long-term proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. This strategy represents a proof-of-concept that enhances the immunogenicity of replication-defective Ad-based vectors, and it exemplifies the useful implications for Ad-based HIV vaccines and other vaccines.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)681-686
Number of pages6
JournalAIDS research and human retroviruses
Volume27
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2011
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Short communication: Enhancement of immunogenicity of replication-defective adenovirus-based human immunodeficiency virus vaccines in Rhesus Monkeys'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this