Characterization of Gag and Nef-specific ELISpot-based CTL responses in HIV-1 infected Indian individuals

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses to Gag have been most frequently linked to control of viremia whereas CTL responses to Nef have direct relationship with viral load. IFN-γ ELISpot assay was used to screen CTL responses at single peptide level directed at HIV-1 subtype C Gag and Nef proteins in 30 antiretroviral therapy naive HIV-1 infected Indian individuals. PBMCs from 73.3% and 90% of the study population showed response to Gag and Nef antigens, respectively. The magnitude of Gag-specific CTL responses was inversely correlated with plasma viral load (r = −0.45, P = 0.001), whereas magnitude of Nef-specific responses was directly correlated (r = 0.115). Thirteen immunodominant regions (6 in Gag, 7 in Nef) were identified in the current study. The identification of Gag and Nef-specific responses across HIV-1 infected Indian population and targeting epitopes from multiple immunodominant regions may provide useful insight into the designing of new immunotherapy and vaccines.     

含HIV-1核心蛋白基因的重组质粒的构建及其免疫应答的研究

目的构建含有HIV-1核心蛋白gag基因的真核表达质粒,并研究其免疫应答反应。方法采用PCR方法从1例HIV感染者中扩增出gag基因,构建重组质粒pcDNA-GAG。接种小鼠后,检测其抗体及抗体亚类,并对小鼠的淋巴细胞亚群进行分析,采用3H-TdR法、ELISPOT方法和51Cr释放法分别检测T淋巴细胞的增殖反应性、特异性分泌IFN-γ的CD8+T淋巴细胞以及特异性CTL杀伤活性。结果重组质粒体外表达目的蛋白的相对分子质量(Mr)约为55×103。免疫小鼠后可诱导产生特异性抗体,其中IgG2a与IgG的比例显著高于IgG1与IgG的比例;T淋巴细胞体外经ConA刺激后SI达到160.67,显著高于对照组(14.04,P<0.05);产生IFN-γ的CD8+T淋巴细胞数目以及特异杀伤率均显著高于对照组小鼠(P<0.05)。结论重组质粒pcDNA-GAG可诱导小鼠产生特异性体液和细胞免疫应答反应,而且ELISPOT方法检测特异性细胞免疫应答反应的结果与51Cr释放法一致,提示可用此法对DNA疫苗诱导的细胞免疫进行评价。     

HIV-1中国流行株gag与hIL-2在重组痘苗病毒中的共表达及其与核酸疫苗的实验免疫研究

目的：将HIV-1中国流行株B亚型gag基因、gag和hIL-2基因在天坛株痘苗病毒中进行共表达，以期获得重组痘苗病毒，观察细胞因子的佐剂作用，与核酸疫苗混合免疫，评价免疫效果，为新型艾滋病疫苗研制开发打下基础。方法：将HIV-1中国流行株 gag基因、gag和hIL-2基因片段插入到 pJ38载体启动子下游，经同源重组和血凝素阴性空斑筛选重组痘苗病毒，SDS-PAGE、Western blot检测目的蛋白。以重组病毒和核酸疫苗免疫Balb/c小鼠，进行淋巴细胞转化实验、CTL、CD4 、CD8 T细胞数目以及血清抗体的细胞免疫和体液免疫指标检测。结果：获得了重组痘苗病毒 vJ38gag和 vJ38gag-IL-2。与 vJ38-gag相比，vJ38gag-IL-2，具有更好的免疫原性，重组痘苗病毒免疫3次的效果好于重组病毒免疫2次，以2rVV-DNA混合免疫效果最好。结论：重组痘苗病毒vJ38gag和vJ38gag-IL-2能够表达外源蛋白并诱导机体产生细胞免疫和体液免疫。细胞因子IL-2发挥了免疫佐剂的作用。     

Inverted terminal repeat sequences of adeno-associated virus enhance the antibody and CD8(+) responses to a HIV-1 p55Gag/LAMP DNA vaccine chimera

The immune responses to an HIV-1 p55Gag vaccine encoded as a DNA chimera with the lysosomal associated membrane protein-1 (LAMP) have been examined for the effect of the addition of the inverted terminal repeat (ITR) sequences of the adeno-associated virus (AAV) to the DNA plasmid construct, and of packaging the LAMP/gag gene as a recombinant AAV vector (rAAV). DNA plasmids encoding Gag and the LAMP/Gag protein chimera were constructed in two vectors, the pcDNA3.1 and a corresponding plasmid containing the ITR sequences (pITR) flanking the expression elements of the plasmid, and the pITR LAMP/gag DNA plasmid was encapsidated in the rAAV vector. Human 293 cells transfected in vitro with LAMP/gag plasmids either in pcDNA3.1 or pITR produced much Gag protein in cell extracts (1.6 and 2.2 ng of Gag/mg of protein, respectively). The immune responses of mice to immunization with these constructs were examined under three protocols: DNA prime/DNA boost, DNA prime/rAAV boost, and a single rAAV immunization. The results demonstrated that under DNA prime/DNA boost protocol, the "naked" DNA vaccines encoding the LAMP/gag chimera, either as pcDNA3.1 or pITR DNA plasmid constructs, elicited strong CD4(+) T cell responses. In contrast, significantly higher levels of CD8(+) and antibody responses were observed with the pITR-DNA constructs. Immunization with the rAAV vector under the DNA prime/rAAV boost protocol resulted in sustained T cell responses and a markedly increased antibody response, predominantly of the IgG(1) isotype resulting from the activation of the Th2 subset of CD4(+) T cells, that was sustained for at least 5 months after immunization.     

Characterization of cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte epitopes and immune responses to SARS coronavirus spike DNA vaccine expressing the RGD‐integrin‐binding motif

Integrins are critical for initiating T‐cell activation events. The integrin‐binding motif Arg‐Gly‐Asp (RGD) was incorporated into the pcDNA 3.1 mammalian expression vector expressing the codon‐optimized extracellular domain of SARS coronavirus (SARS‐CoV) spike protein, and tested by immunizing C57BL/6 mice. Significant cell‐mediated immune responses were characterized by cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte ⁵¹Cr release assay and interferon‐gamma secretion ELISPOT assay against RMA‐S target cells presenting predicted MHC class I H2‐Kb epitopes, including those spanning residues 884–891 and 1116–1123 within the S2 subunit of SARS‐CoV spike protein. DNA vaccines incorporating the Spike‐RGD/His motif or the Spike‐His construct generated robust cell‐mediated immune responses. Moreover, the Spike‐His DNA vaccine construct generated a significant antibody response. Immunization with these DNA vaccine constructs elicited significant cellular and humoral immune responses. Additional T‐cell epitopes within the SARS‐CoV spike protein that may contribute to cell‐mediated immunity in vivo were also identified. J. Med. Virol. 81:1131–1139, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

IL-18和HIV-1 gag-gp120嵌合基因DNA疫苗联合免疫小鼠的免疫应答

目的 :探讨IL 18和HIV 1gag gp12 0嵌合基因的DNA疫苗联合免疫小鼠的免疫应答。方法 :构建含IL 18的真核表达质粒pVAXIL18,将他与表达HIV 1gag gp12 0嵌合基因的核酸疫苗质粒pVAXGE共同肌注免疫BALB/c小鼠 ,检测免疫小鼠脾特异性CTL杀伤活性和血清抗体滴度。结果 :联合免疫组小鼠脾特异性CTL杀伤活性和血清抗体水平均显著高于单独免疫组 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,空白质粒对照组 (P <0 .0 1)和PBS对照组 (P <0 .0 1)。结论 :IL 18和HIV 1gag gp12 0嵌合基因的DNA疫苗联合免疫可诱导小鼠产生特异性细胞和体液免疫 ,且IL 18发挥了免疫佐剂的作用。     

HSV-2gD模拟抗原表位、HBsAg与IL-18融合蛋白DNA疫苗的免疫效果观察

目的:研究串联重组核酸疫苗pc(pcDNA3.1)-S(HBsAg)-P6-IL18和pc(pcDNA3.1)-S(HBsAg)-NP6-IL18对机体的免疫效果,P6是我们前期采用噬菌体展示技术筛选出的HSV-2gD的模拟抗原表位,NP6为与HSV-2gD模拟抗原表位P6最相似的天然抗原表位序列。方法:分别将空质粒pcDNA3.1(阴性对照组)和构建的真核表达质粒pc-S-P6-IL18和pc-S-NP6-IL18肌内注射免疫接种BALB/c小鼠3次,每次间隔2周。末次免疫后2周眼眶静脉采血,ELISA法检测小鼠血清特异性抗体滴度、IFN-γ及IL-18含量;末次免疫后一月,处死小鼠,无菌分离脾脏,用刀豆蛋白A刺激淋巴细胞,采用MTT法测定脾淋巴细胞增殖率。结果:重组核酸疫苗pc-S-P6-IL18和pc-S-NP6-IL18免疫小鼠后可刺激血清特异性抗体(抗HBsAg抗体和抗HSV-2gD模拟表位抗体)的产生,与阴性对照组相比可诱导分泌较高水平的IFN-γ和IL-18,可促进小鼠脾淋巴细胞的增殖。结论:重组核酸疫苗pc-S-P6-IL18和pc-S-NP6-IL18能诱导较强的细胞免疫和体液免疫,可用于今后预防HBV和HSV-2感染的研究。     

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.     

重组人MUC1-MBP融合蛋白在大肠杆菌中的表达、纯化及其免疫活性测定

目的 :以MUC1为靶点研制抗肿瘤蛋白疫苗。方法 :将MUC1基因连入pMAL p2原核表达载体 ,并转化大肠杆菌 ,通过IPTG诱导MUC1表达 ,经Westernblot鉴定 ,Amylose亲和层析纯化蛋白。用MUC1 MBP免疫健康C5 7BL 6小鼠 ,测定其免疫活性 ,通过ELISA测定血清中抗MUC1抗体的效价 ;采用MTT法测定小鼠脾CTL活性 ,通过3H TdR掺入法测定T细胞增殖能力。结果 :成功构建了pMAL MUC1表达载体并得到稳定表达MUC1的菌株 ,鉴定了MUC1在大肠杆菌中的表达 ,纯化了MUC1蛋白。经重组MUC1 MBP免疫的C5 7小鼠 ,血清抗MUC1抗体的效价为 1:5 76 0± 32 2 1;脾CTL对MCF 7及Lewis肺癌细胞的杀伤率分别为 4 7 7%± 4 3%和 6 7 5 %± 6 5 %。结论 :人类重组MUC1融合蛋白可引发小鼠CTL反应和体液免疫应答 ,有希望研制成抗腺癌蛋白疫苗。     

A vaccine conjugate of 'ISCAR' immunocarrier and peptide epitopes of the E7 cervical cancer-associated protein of human papillomavirus type 16 elicits specific Th1- and Th2-type responses in immunized mice in the absence of oil-based adjuvants.

TraT protein, known as ISCAR (= Immunostimulatory Carrier), is one of a family of integral membrane proteins (Imps) of Escherichia coli representing powerful carrier molecules which when injected into experimental animals generate substantial antibody and T proliferative responses to molecules conjugated to it. We extend these findings to show that ISCAR functions to stimulate Th1- and Th2-type responses, including specific cytotoxic T cells and tumour protection. We report here that by conjugating to ISCAR a 19mer peptide containing linear B epitopes, a T helper (Th) epitope, and a H-2b-restricted T cytotoxic (CTL) epitope of E7 protein of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16), and immunizing C57B1/6 (H-2b) mice, we elicited (i) specific IgG2a and IgG1 antibodies; (ii) IL-2 and IL-4 production by specifically recalled lymph node cells in vitro; (iii) cytotoxic T lymphocytes which specifically killed both E7 peptide-pulsed, and whole E7 gene-transfected tumour target cells; and (iv) in vivo protection against an E7 gene-transfected tumour cell inoculum. These findings have implications for the design of vaccines to stimulate immune responses to endogenously processed target antigens (e.g. tumour-associated antigens) without the unwanted side effects of oil-based adjuvants. In addition they support the case for a E7-targeted therapeutic vaccine for HPV-associated human cervical cancer.     

Soluble CD4 broadens neutralization of V3-directed monoclonal antibodies and guinea pig vaccine sera against HIV-1 subtype B and C reference viruses

To better understand the limits of antigenic reactivity and epitope accessibility of the V3 domain of primary HIV-1 isolates, we evaluated three human anti-V3 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and selected guinea pig vaccine sera for neutralization against reference panels of subtype B and C pseudoviruses derived from early stage infections. The mAbs and vaccine sera potently neutralized several prototype viruses, but displayed substantially less neutralization of most reference strains. In the presence of soluble CD4 (sCD4), the breadth of V3-mediated neutralization was increased; up to 80% and 77% of the subtype B and C viruses respectively were sensitive to V3-mediated neutralization. Unlike sCD4, the reaction of CD4-binding site mAbs b12 and F105 with native virus did not lead to full exposure of the V3 domain. These findings confirm that V3 antibodies recognize most primary viral strains, but that the epitope often has limited accessibility in the context of native envelope spike.     

Studies on the cross-clade and cross-species conservation of HIV-1 Gag-specific CD8 and CD4 T cell responses elicited by a clade B DNA/MVA vaccine in macaques

Here, we evaluate the T cell responses raised by our HIV-1 clade B DNA/MVA vaccine for recognition of a HIV-1 circulating recombinant form (CRF) AG Gag sequence (CRF-02). The cross-clade activity for the AG sequence was better conserved for CD8 than CD4 T cells. CD8 T cells exhibited 75% conservation for height and 83% conservation for breadth, whereas CD4 responses exhibited 45% conservation for height and 50% conservation for breadth. Five CD8 epitopes and 8 CD4 epitopes were mapped. Three of the 5 CD8 epitopes and 2 of the 8 CD4 epitopes were conserved across multiple HIV-1 clades. Impressively, all of the CD8 epitopes and half of the CD4 epitopes have been reported for human infections. Our results demonstrate that the clade B DNA/MVA HIV vaccine elicits T cell responses against epitopes that are conserved in multiple clades and recognized by humans and macaques.     

CpG协同calpain DNA疫苗诱导BALB/c鼠TH1免疫应答和抗日本血吸虫感染

目的 探讨含非甲基化CpG单核苷酸(cpG-ODN)协同calpain DNA疫苗抗日本血吸虫感染的保护性作用、诱导的免疫应答类型及其免疫机理。方法 calpain基因从原核表达载体pGEX-2TK亚克隆到含小鼠IL-2基因启动序列的真核表达载体pVAC，构建含日本血吸虫疫苗候选分子calpain基因的真核表达体系pVAC-calpain的DNA疫苗，构建的DNA疫苗与CpGODN免疫BALB/c小鼠，在不同阶段采血测定免疫鼠抗体的动态变化、RT-PCR分析免疫鼠细胞因子IFN-γ、IL-4、IL-12的表达，加强免疫1周后用日本血吸虫尾蚴攻击感染免疫鼠，用减虫率、减卵率及其病理组织学指标考核保护性免疫的效果。结果 pVAC-calpain的DNA疫苗体系诱导了IgG抗体的产生，免疫3周后细胞因子IFN-γ、IL-4、IL-12的表达表现出差异。特别是在CpG-ODN和pVAG-calpain免疫组IFN-γ、IL-12有高度表达，而IL-4的表达受到相对抑制，对攻击感染的日本血吸虫表现出了45％的减虫效果，虫卵肉芽肿的面积显著性的减少。结论 Cp GODN协同日本血吸虫calpain DNA疫苗诱导了THl为主的免疫应答，并能部分抵抗日本血吸虫感染和减轻感染鼠由于TH2免疫应答所导致的虫卵肉芽肿反应，提示CpG ODN能够协同calpain DNA疫苗抗日本血吸虫感染和缓解日本血吸虫免疫病理反应。     

HIV-1CN54 DNA疫苗滴鼻免疫小鼠诱发系统和黏膜免疫应答

目的：探讨重组痘苗病毒rVVsyngp120或rVVmCN54gp120候选疫苗是否增强HIV-1CN54合成gp120基因(syngp120)DNA疫苗的免疫原性。方法：第0、7、14、21天用DNA疫苗滴鼻免疫小鼠,第28、35、42天再滴鼻接种rVVsyngp120或rVVmCN54gp120。体外测脾和肠系膜淋巴结(MLN)淋巴细胞增殖应答与CD8^ CTL应答。测血清和黏膜洗液特异的IgG和IgA,并测其是否中和实验室适应株HIV-1SF33。结果：单纯DNA免疫后,脾和MLN淋巴细胞在体外发生增殖应答和CTL应答,且测出血清特异的IgG和黏膜洗液特异的IgA。重组痘苗病毒末次免疫后第2周(第56天),发现rVVmCN54gp120增强MLN淋巴细胞增殖应答和CTL应答,脾CTL应答也增强。rVVsyngp120则增强MLN CTL应答。同时发现：2组重组痘苗病毒免疫的动物其血清中特异IgG抗体滴度均有所增高,但黏膜(粪便和阴道)洗液特异IgA抗体滴度却未增高,未测出血清特异IgA和黏膜洗液特异IgG。免疫血清可中和HIV-1SF33,而阴道洗液却不能。结论：单纯DNA疫苗滴鼻免疫可诱发较弱的系统和黏膜体液免疫与细胞免疫,但维持时间短。重组痘苗病毒主要增强局部黏膜的细胞免疫应答,且稍增强系统体液免疫应答,未增强黏膜的IgA应答。免疫血清有中和作用。     

Co-immunization with IL-15 enhances cellular immune responses induced by a vif-deleted simian immunodeficiency virus proviral DNA vaccine and confers partial protection against vaginal challenge with SIVmac251

Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection of rhesus macaques is a valuable animal model for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 vaccine development. Our laboratory recently described the immunogenicity and limited efficacy of a vif-deleted SIVmac239 proviral DNA (SIV/CMVΔvif) vaccine. The current report characterizes immunogenicity and efficacy for the SIV/CMVΔvif proviral DNA vaccine when co-inoculated with an optimized rhesus interleukin (rIL)-15 expression plasmid. Macaques co-inoculated with rIL-15 and SIV/CMVΔvif proviral plasmids showed significantly improved SIV-specific CD8 T cell immunity characterized by increased IFN-γ ELISPOT and polyfunctional CD8 T cell responses. Furthermore, these animals demonstrated a sustained suppression of plasma virus loads after multiple low dose vaginal challenges with pathogenic SIVmac251. Importantly, SIV-specific cellular responses were greater in immunized animals compared to unvaccinated controls during the initial 12 weeks after challenge. Taken together, these findings support the use of IL-15 as an adjuvant in prophylactic anti-HIV vaccine strategies.     

鼠疫F1-V重组蛋白疫苗滴鼻免疫应答效果的研究

目的 以重组霍乱毒素B亚单位（rCT-B）为鼠疫F1-V重组蛋白的佐剂制备黏膜疫苗,观察小鼠诱导的黏膜免疫和系统免疫应答效果。方法以制备的鼠疫黏膜疫苗滴鼻免疫小鼠4次免疫后,采用间接ELISA检测血清特异性抗F1-V的IgG和IgA抗体及抗体亚型分类,检测鼻咽喉、肺、小肠及阴道灌洗液中特异性抗F1-V的黏膜分泌型IgA;采用流式细胞术检测鼻相关淋巴组织淋巴细胞、脾淋巴细胞、肠系膜淋巴结及小肠PP结T淋巴细胞表型的变化。结果以rCT-B为佐剂的鼠疫F1-V重组蛋白黏膜疫苗滴鼻免疫后,能够诱导血清中IgG、IgA抗体比正常对照组显著升高（P〈0．01）,同时诱导鼻咽、肺、小肠和阴道内特异性黏膜抗体升高,尤其是肺和生殖道冲冼液内抗体升高极为显著（P〈0．01）。与单纯的F1-V组相比,不同剂量比例疫苗组都能诱导较高、较快的血清IgG、IgA和黏膜sIgA,其中1：2疫苗组能诱导更强的系统免疫和黏膜免疫,但是相比之下,5：1疫苗组是最合适的免疫剂量。结论rCT-B佐剂不仅能提高鼠疫F1-V黏膜疫苗的系统全身免疫应答,还能促进诱导呼吸道、消化道和生殖道等局部黏膜sIgA抗体,增强局部免疫应答,提示rCT-B佐剂能显著提高鼠疫感染的免疫应答作用,这为下一步疫苗的免疫保护评价奠定了基础。     

Modulation of immune responses to bovine herpesvirus-1 in cattle by immunization with a DNA vaccine encoding glycoprotein D as a fusion protein with bovine CD154

The objective of this study was to determine whether a DNA vaccine encoding bovine CD154 linked to a truncated version of bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1) glycoprotein D (tgD-CD154) induces enhanced tgD-specific immune responses in cattle. In vitro characterization demonstrated that tgD and tgD-CD154 both bind to cultured bovine B cells, whereas only tgD-CD154 induces interleukin-4-dependent proliferation, suggesting that tgD-CD154 specifically binds the CD40 receptor and induces receptor signalling. Calves were immunized with plasmid encoding either tgD or tgD-CD154 by intradermal injection with a needle-free device. After two immunizations, tgD-specific immune responses were observed in both vaccinated groups and after challenge with BHV-1 these responses further increased. Animals immunized with plasmid encoding tgD-CD154 had significantly higher tgD-specific serum titres of immunoglobulins G and A but significantly lower numbers of tgD-specific interferon-gamma-secreting cells than animals immunized with plasmid encoding tgD after BHV-1 challenge. This suggests that the expression of an antigen as a chimeric protein with CD154 can qualitatively alter immune responses in cattle. Since we previously showed that plasmid encoding tgD-CD154 induces significantly enhanced secondary tgD-specific antibody responses in sheep, there appear to be interspecies differences in the immune responses induced by tgD-CD154, which suggests that both proteins in the chimeric molecule may influence protein targeting and the induction of an immune response.