Preclinical evaluation of cellular immune responses elicited by a polyvalent DNA prime/protein boost HIV-1 vaccine

While DNA vaccines have been shown to prime cellular immune responses, levels are often low in nonhuman primates or humans. Hence, efforts have been directed toward boosting responses by combining DNA with different vaccination modalities. To this end, a polyvalent DNA prime/protein boost vaccine, consisting of codon optimized HIV-1 env (A, B, C, E) and gag (C) and homologous gp120 proteins in QS-21, was evaluated in rhesus macaques and BALB/c mice. Humoral and cellular responses, detected following DNA immunization, were increased following protein boost in macaques and mice. In dissecting cellular immune responses in mice, protein-enhanced responses were found to be mediated by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells with a Th1 cytokine bias. Our study reveals that, in addition to augmenting humoral responses, protein boosting of DNA-primed animals augments cellular immune responses mediated by CD8+ CTL, CD4+ T-helper cells and Th1 cytokines; thus, offering much promise in controlling HIV-1 in vaccinees.     

Pre-clinical development of a multi-CTL epitope-based DNA prime MVA boost vaccine for AIDS

Reliable and effective methods for induction of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) are constantly persued. Central to this search is work in animal models, which allow to test novel vaccine strategies and ultimately lead to a more efficient planning of clinical trials. Here, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine candidates were constructed as a string of partially overlapping CTL epitopes (20 human, 3 macaque and 1 mouse) delivered and expressed using plasmid DNA and modified virus Ankara (MVA; an attenuated vaccinia virus), which are both vaccine vehicles acceptable for use in humans. In mice, these vaccines were shown to induce virus-specific interferon-gamma-producing and cytolytic CD8+ T-cells after a single intramuscular needle injection. When immunization protocols were sought which would improve the level of induced HIV-specific T-cells, DNA priming-MVA boosting was found to be the most potent protocol. The multi-epitope DNA also elicited CTL when delivered intradermally using the Accell gene delivery device (gene gun). Finally, a combined intradermal gene gun DNA-MVA vaccination regimen induced in macaques high frequencies of circulating CTL, which were comparable to those observed in simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected monkeys. Further optimization of this method in non-human primates is under way. Thus, a vaccination regimen for an effective elicitation of CTL has been developed which might facilitate evaluation of the role(s) that these lymphocytes play in the control of SIV and HIV infections.     

Flt3L及CCL5对prime/boost免疫策略中抗原特异性免疫应答的增强及抗肿瘤作用

目的:研究Flt3L与CCL5作为联合佐剂在prime/boost免疫策略中对HBc抗原特异性免疫应答的增强及抗肿瘤作用.方法:将两种细胞因子质粒与携带HBc抗原的DNA疫苗经肌内注射法共免疫小鼠, 免疫3次后再用原核表达的HBc颗粒蛋白或HBc DNA疫苗加强, 观察对稳定表达HBcAg 的小鼠黑色素瘤细胞(B16-HBc)的生长抑制作用;并分别采用MTT法检测荷瘤小鼠脾淋巴细胞增殖、流式细胞术检测脾CD8 T淋巴细胞中IFN-γ表达、ELISA法检测脾淋巴细胞培养上清IL-2、IL-4含量及乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)释放法检测特异性CTL杀伤活性.结果:与对照组相比, 佐剂联合DNA疫苗免疫经蛋白加强组(DDP/Adj)显著抑制肿瘤生长;佐剂联合DNA疫苗免疫组(DDD/Adj)及DDP/Adj组均可促进特异性淋巴细胞增殖反应(P＜0.05), 且DDP/Adj 高于DDD/Adj组(P＜0.05);DDD/Adj 及DDP/Adj组小鼠脾脏CD8 T淋巴细胞中IFN-γ表达、IL-2 表达水平及CTL杀靶活性均高于对照组(P＜0.01或P＜0.05), IL-4 表达水平在各组无显著区别(P＞0.05).结论:在prime/boost免疫策略中, 采用Flt3L与CCL5两种细胞因子联合应用可显著促进荷瘤小鼠产生抗原特异性免疫应答及抗肿瘤作用.     

Pre-clinical evaluation of a CEA DNA prime/protein boost vaccination strategy against colorectal cancer

In preparation for a clinical trial in patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer, a vaccination strategy targeting the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was evaluated in mice using a GMP-produced plasmid DNA vaccine, CEA66, encoding a truncated form of the tumour-associated antigen, CEA. The GMP-produced CEA DNA vaccine was also evaluated for toxicity. Repeated intradermal administration of the GMP-produced vaccine using a novel needle-free jet injection device (Biojector) induced robust CD4 and CD8 T-cell responses in mice, and did not result in any vaccine-related toxicity. In a heterologous DNA prime/protein boost setting, cellular immune responses were of higher magnitude in animals primed with CEA66 DNA than in animals receiving repeated doses of recombinant CEA protein. These responses were further enhanced if recombinant murine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor was given as an adjuvant prior to vaccination. In contrast to repeated administration of recombinant CEA protein as a single modality vaccine, the heterologous CEA66 DNA prime/rCEA boost vaccination strategy resulted in a qualitatively broader immune response, and supports clinical testing of this vaccination regimen in humans.     

HIV-1 B''亚型gag-env融合基因的DNA疫苗构建和免疫原性分析

目的 构建HIV-1 B′亚型中国流行株gag和env融合基因的DNA疫苗，对其免疫原性进行研究。方法 根据已报道的HIV-1 B′亚型RIA2分离株gag和env基因的氨基酸序列按哺乳动物密码子使用频率进行优化并人工合成基因，插入真核表达载体pDRVISV1．0中，构建表达RL42 gag-env，融合蛋白的DNA疫苗，pSVRL／GE。用Western blot和抗gag p55抗体细胞内染色的方法体外检测pSVRUGE的表达效率。DNA疫苗pSVRL/GE免疫BALB／c小鼠后，用ELISPOT检测小鼠的细胞免疫反应。结果 限制性内切酶鉴定表明融合基因已成功插入pDRVISV1．0载体中，Western blot证实融合基因可有效表达融合蛋白；细胞内染色结果表明，pSVRL/GE转染的293T细胞中49．8％表达gag p55，荧光强度均值为924；而空载体pDRVISV1．0转染的293T细胞中非特异背景染色只有0．5％。经免疫的小鼠脾细胞体外用H-2^d限制性表位肽AMQMIKET刺激后，ELISPOT检测显示，pSVRUGE免疫小鼠每10^6脾细胞形成226个斑点（SD=140），而空载对照组每1驴脾细胞形成29个斑点（SD=16）（P〈0．05）。结论 所构建的DNA疫苗pSVRL/GE可高效表达相应抗原蛋白，并可有效激活机体的细胞免疫反应。     

DNA/MVA HIV-1/AIDS vaccine elicits long-lived vaccinia virus-specific immunity and confers protection against a lethal monkeypox challenge

Modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) is being tested in humans as an alternative to the current smallpox vaccine Dryvax. Here, we compare the magnitude and longevity of protective immune responses elicited by a DNA/MVA HIV-1 vaccine with those elicited by Dryvax using a monkeypox virus/macaque model. The DNA/MVA vaccine elicited similar levels of vaccinia virus (VV)-specific antibody and 5-10-fold lower levels of VV-specific cellular responses than Dryvax. This MVA-elicited cellular and humoral immunity was long-lived. A subset of the DNA/MVA- and Dryvax-vaccinated macaques were subjected to a lethal monkeypox virus challenge at 3 years after vaccination. All of the vaccinated monkeys survived, whereas the unvaccinated controls succumbed to monkeypox. The viral control correlated with early postchallenge levels of monkeypox-specific neutralizing antibody but not with VV-specific cellular immune response. Thus, our results demonstrate the elicitation of long lasting protective immunity for a lethal monkeypox challenge by a DNA/MVA HIV-1 vaccine.     

Cytokine molecular adjuvants modulate immune responses induced by DNA vaccine constructs for HIV-1 and SIV.

DNA or nucleic acid immunization has been shown to induce both antigen-specific cellular and humoral immune responses in vivo. Moreover, immune responses induced by DNA immunization can be enhanced and modulated by the use of molecular adjuvants. To further engineer the immune response in vivo, we investigated the induction and regulation of immune responses from the codelivery of Thl cytokines (interleukin-2 [IL-2] and IL-12), Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10), and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) genes along with a DNA vaccine construct encoding for simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) gag/pol proteins. We observed that coinjection with IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and GM-CSF resulted in increased levels of antigen-specific antibodies. In addition, we found that coinjection with cytokine genes drove the immune responses toward a more Thl or Th2 phenotype. We also observed that coadministration of IL-2, IL-12, and GM-CSF genes resulted in a dramatic enhancement of Th proliferation responses. Moreover, coimmunization with IL-12 genes resulted in a dramatic enhancement of antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses. These results support the potential utility of molecular adjuvants in DNA vaccine regimens.     

4-1BB and OX40 stimulation enhance CD8 and CD4 T-cell responses to a DNA prime, poxvirus boost vaccine

4-1BB (CD137) is a tumour necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) family member, expressed primarily on CD8 T cells after activation. Signalling through 4-1BB has been reported to enhance CD8 T-cell expansion and to protect activated CD8 T cells from death, resulting in an enlarged memory population. Although stimulating 4-1BB has been shown to significantly improve the immune response to weak immunogens such as tumours, little is known about its effect on the CD8 T-cell response to a powerful viral vector such as vaccinia. To test 4-1BB's ability to improve the murine CD8 T cell response to a DNA prime, poxvirus boost vaccine, similar to those used for human immunodeficiency virus and simian immunodeficiency virus vaccines, we administered 4-1BB agonist antibody at the time of the poxvirus boost. 4-1BB stimulation increased the number of functional memory CD8 T cells by two- to fourfold. However, we saw a similar enhancement at the peak of the response and in the memory phase, thus we found no evidence in the context of virus infection that 4-1BB stimulation could increase the percentage of CD8 T cells that survive the acute activation phase to become memory cells. OX40 (CD134) is an analogous TNFR family member expressed primarily on activated CD4 T cells. OX40 stimulation increased the number of antigen-specific CD4 T cells approximately threefold. Stimulating both 4-1BB and OX40 enhanced the CD8 T-cell response more than 4-1BB alone. Thus stimulating these receptors can improve the response to a powerful virus vector, and may be useful in vaccine development.     

HIV-1 prophylactic vaccine comprised of topical DermaVir prime and protein boost elicits cellular immune responses and controls pathogenic R5 SHIV162P3

Topical DNA vaccination (DermaVir) facilitates antigen presentation to naive T cells. DermaVir immunization in mice, using HIV-1 Env and Gag, elicited cellular immune responses. Boosting with HIV-1 gp120 Env and p41 Gag augmented Th1 cytokine levels. Intramuscular DNA administration was less efficient in priming antigen-specific cytokine production and memory T cells. In rhesus macaques, DermaVir immunization induced Gag- and Env-specific Th1 and Th2 cytokines and generation of memory T cells. Boosting of DermaVir-primed serum antibody levels was noted following gp140(SHIV89.6P)/p27(SIV) immunization. Rectal challenge with pathogenic R5-tropic SHIV162P3 resulted in control of plasma viremia (4/5 animals) that was reflected in jejunum, colon and mesenteric lymph nodes. An inverse correlation was found between Gag- and Env-specific central memory T cell responses on the day of challenge and plasma viremia at set point. Overall, the topical DermaVir/protein vaccination yields central memory T cell responses and facilitates control of pathogenic SHIV infection.     

Antibody responses to human rotavirus (HRV) in gnotobiotic pigs following a new prime/boost vaccine strategy using oral attenuated HRV priming and intranasal VP2/6 rotavirus-like particle (VLP) boosting with ISCOM

Safer and more effective human rotavirus (HRV) vaccines are needed. We evaluated oral priming with attenuated WaHRV (AttHRV) followed by boosting with two intranasal (IN) doses of VP2/6 virus-like particles (2/6 VLP) with immunostimulating complexes (ISCOM) to determine if this regimen induces protection against diarrhoea and viral shedding in the gnotobiotic pig model. IgM, IgA and IgG antibody titres in serum and intestinal contents were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and serum neutralizing antibody titres were measured by a virus neutralization (VN) test. Seven groups of neonatal gnotobiotic pigs were vaccinated at post-inoculation days (PID) 0, 10 and 21 and challenged with virulent WaHRV at PID 28. The vaccine groups included: (1, 2) oral priming with AttHRV and boosting with two IN immunizations with 2/6 VLP-ISCOM (Att + 2/6 VLP-ISCOM) at VLP concentrations of 250 micro g or 25 micro g; (3, 4) three IN immunizations with 2/6 VLP-ISCOM at VLP concentrations of 250 micro g or 25 micro g (2/6 VLP-ISCOM); (5) three oral immunizations with AttHRV (3xAttHRV); (6) one oral immunization with AttHRV (1xAttHRV); (7) controls (ISCOM matrix and/or diluent). The pigs that received 3xAttHRV or Att + 2/6 VLP250-ISCOM had the highest protection rates against diarrhoea upon challenge at PID 28 with virulent WaHRV. The IgA antibody titres to HRV in intestinal contents were significantly higher in the Att + 2/6 VLP250-ISCOM group than in all other groups prechallenge (PID 28). Serum VN antibody titres were statistically similar after the first inoculation among the groups given AttHRV, but at PID 28 VN antibody titres were significantly higher for the 3xAttHRV and Att + 2/6 VLP250-ISCOM groups than for the 1xAttHRV group suggesting that boosting with 2/6 VLP also boosted VN antibody responses. In humans, intestinal IgA antibodies have been correlated with protection against symptomatic reinfection. Thus the vaccine regimen of one oral dose of AttHRV and two IN immunizations with 2/6 VLP250-ISCOM may be an alternative to multiple-dose live oral vaccines in humans.     

探讨BCG初次免疫结核杆菌DNA疫苗加强免疫方案的效应

目的:探讨BCG初次免疫(BCG-prime),结核杆菌共表达DNA疫苗加强免疫(DNA疫苗-boost)的策略对小鼠的免疫效果。方法:将BCG及结核杆菌重组DNA疫苗依次免疫小鼠,通过检测CTL和NK细胞的杀伤活性和特异性淋巴细胞增殖,以及小鼠血清抗体及细胞因子的水平,观测BCG-prime、共表达结核杆菌Ag85A/GM-CSFDNA疫苗boost策略对小鼠的免疫效果。结果:采用prime-boost免疫策略组的小鼠CTL的杀伤活性明显增强、特异性淋巴细胞明显增殖、IFN-γ的水平明显增高,NK细胞杀伤活性与对照组相比也有一定提高,但未超过BCG单独免疫效果。免疫小鼠血清特异性抗体的滴度超过单独DNA疫苗免疫组。结论:在采用BCG-prime-结核杆菌DNA疫苗boost免疫策略后,能增强对小鼠的免疫效应,尤其是Th1型细胞免疫反应增强明显,为进一步在动物体内进行保护性效应试验的研究提供了实验依据。     

Adjuvant effect of Ubenimex on a DNA vaccine for HIV-1

Enhancement of DNA vaccine immunogenicity is a current topic of high priority in the field of applied immunology, especially as a means of controlling HIV infection. The adjuvant effect of Ubenimex (UBX), an anti-cancer immunomodulator, on a DNA AIDS vaccine which we developed was examined in a murine model. UBX was formulated into a preparation containing DNA plasmids encoding env and rev genes of HIV-1 strain III_B, and was inoculated intramuscularly into BALB/c mice. The sera obtained with this mixture had 2³–2⁵ times higher specific IgG titres than those obtained without the use of the adjuvant. UBX also elicited both a stronger HIV-1-specific DTH reaction, as measured by the footpad swelling test, and stronger cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity, as assayed by the ⁵¹Cr-release method, compared with responses using DNA alone. The cytokine secretion profile of restimulated immune lymphoid cells showed that UBX raised IL-2 and interferon-gamma levels and decreased IL-4 production. HIV-1-specific immunoglobulin subtype analysis demonstrated that UBX stimulated IgG2a production but suppressed synthesis of IgG1 and IgE. These results indicate that activation of the T-helper type 1 subset was induced by UBX, suggesting a mechanism of immunomodulation mediated by this agent. We conclude that UBX acts as an immunologic adjuvant for DNA vaccination against HIV-1. UBX may be a suitable adjuvant for clinical use because of its lack of antigenicity and low toxicity.     

T lymphocyte responses in HIV-1 infection: implications for vaccine development.

Substantial progress has been made over the past year in understanding the cellular immune response in HIV pathogenesis. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes play a critical role in establishing the level of viremia and virus-specific Th cell responses appear to affect the in vivo efficacy of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Together, these new data provide important insights to refocus efforts aimed at immunotherapeutic interventions and vaccine development.     

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

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.     

BCR-ABL-SEA DNA疫苗诱导BALB/c小鼠的免疫应答

目的: 了解BCR-ABL-SEA双表达DNA疫苗诱导BALB/c小鼠特异性细胞和体液免疫应答效应。方法: 用已成功构建的重组双表达BCR-ABL 多肽和 SEA多肽的质粒BCR-ABL-pIRES-SEA (B-P-S)免疫小鼠,间隔14 d共3次。相同方法用单表达BCR-ABL 多肽或 SEA多肽的质粒BCR-ABL-pIRES 和SEA-pIRES免疫小鼠作对照。利用CCK-8 比色法检测小鼠脾脏T 细胞对K562细胞株的杀伤活性;流式细胞术测定小鼠脾脏CD4⁺与CD8⁺T细胞表达情况;ELISA法检测小鼠血清中干扰素γ(IFN-γ)和白细胞介素4(IL-4)生成情况;间接免疫荧光法检测血清中抗BCR-ABL抗体。结果: 免疫后第7周时,双表达重组质粒B-P-S组小鼠脾脏CTL细胞针对K562杀伤率、血清中INF-γ含量均明显高于单表达BCR-ABL-pIRES组和SEA-pIRES组(P<0.05);CD4⁺/CD8⁺T细胞比值、血清中IL-4含量各组之间无明显差异(P>0.05);荧光显微镜检测到血清中有抗BCR-ABL抗体。结论: 所构建的BCR-ABL-SEA重组双表达质粒可诱导小鼠产生特异性细胞和体液免疫应答效应。     

Activation of HIV-1-specific immune responses to an HIV-1 vaccine constructed from a replication-defective adenovirus vector using various combinations of immunization protocols

We constructed a recombinant replication defective adenovirus vector containing the env gene (Ad-Bal) derived from macrophage-trophic HIV-1 (HIV-1 Bal). We then immunized mice with this vector using several administration routes and protocols, and examined the immune response. When the Ad-Bal viral vector (over 1 x 10(7) pfu) was injected subcutaneously, both humoral and cell-mediated immunities were induced. However, immune response induced by the Ad-Bal vector alone was weaker than that induced by the recombinant vaccinia viral vector. We then employed the following three immunization protocols: (l) DNA vaccination followed by immunization with the Ad-Bal; (2) vaccination using the Ad-Bal vector followed by DNA vaccination; and (3) DNA vaccination followed by Ad-Bal infection and passive transfer of dendritic cells (DCs) infected with the Ad-Bal. Among the three protocols, the last gave the strongest humoral and cell-mediated immunity. These results suggest that the combination of DNA vaccination, Ad-Bal vector infection and passive transfer of Ad-Bal-infected DCs can induce strong immunity against HIV-1 Bal.     

An adaptation of recombinant vaccinia-based ELISPOT and intracellular cytokine staining for a comparative measurement of cellular immune responses in HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections in West Africa

An efficient and quantitative tool for rapid assessment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-induced cellular immune responses is important for resource-limited settings, such as in sub-Saharan Africa. Modifications are required to previously reported methods for evaluating ex-vivo antigen-specific cellular responses based on direct recombinant vaccinia virus (rVV) stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISPOT) and by flow cytometry intracellular cytokine assay (ICA). We made such modifications in order to detect specific responses and compared quantitative cellular immune responses in HIV-1 and HIV-2 infected Gambians. The sensitivity of the rVV-based ELISPOT assay was on average 1.25 interferon (IFN)-gamma spot forming cells (SFC) per 50 000 PBMCs specific for either infection, and 5 IFN-gamma-secreting CD8+ T cells/50 000 in the ICA. The level of IFN-gamma SFC detected by ELISPOT and by ICA were correlated (P < 0.02). ICA detected pol-specific responses in 88% and 67% of HIV-1 and HIV-2 subjects, respectively, and gag-specific responses in more than 80% of both infections. Lower proportions of responders were obtained with ELISPOT, for which pol responses were present in 60% of HIV-1 and 46% of HIV-2 infected patients, and gag responses in 55% and 69%, respectively. The assays did not show any significant difference in cellular immune responses between HIV-1 and HIV-2 infected subjects with CD4% >or= 20%. These outcomes are comparable with results obtained using standard techniques and thus this method is a suitable, rapid and less expensive assessment of cellular immunity.     

Safety and immunogenicity of a Gag-Pol candidate HIV-1 DNA vaccine administered by a needle-free device in HIV-1-seronegative subjects

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a candidate HIV DNA vaccine administered using a needle-free device. DESIGN: In this phase 1, dose escalation, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 21 healthy adults were randomized to receive placebo or 0.5, 1.5, or 4 mg of a single plasmid expressing a Gag/Pol fusion protein. Each participant received repeat immunizations at days 28 and 56 after the first inoculation. Safety and immunogenicity data were collected. RESULTS: The vaccine was well tolerated, with most adverse events being mild injection site reactions, including pain, tenderness, and erythema. No dose-limiting toxicities occurred. HIV-specific antibody response was not detected in any vaccinee by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. HIV-specific T-cell responses to Gag or Pol as measured by enzyme-linked immunospot assay and intracellular cytokine staining were of low frequency and magnitude. CONCLUSIONS: This candidate HIV DNA vaccine was safe and well tolerated. No HIV-specific antibody responses were detected, and only low-magnitude HIV-specific T-cell responses were detected in 8 (53%) of 15 vaccinees. This initial product led to the development of a 4-plasmid multiclade HIV DNA Vaccine Research Center vaccine candidate in which envelope genes expressing Env from clades A, B, and C and a Nef gene from clade B have been added.