Enhanced Immunogenicity Against HIV-1 Using a DNA-prime Poxvirus Vaccination

Researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) have developed a method of stimulating an immune response in humans at risk for infection by, or already infected with, an Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-1 retrovirus. This method utilizes deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) vaccines to stimulate CD8+ T cell immune responses. The DNA vaccine encodes antigens known to be effective against retroviruses, such as HIV-1gag, gp120, nefCTL, and proCTL. The same antigens are also expressed by the pox virus vaccine, which elicits an increased immune response when combined with the DNA vaccine. The pox virus expands T and B cells activated by the DNA-primer vaccine, confering treatment for and protection against HIV-1 infection. In summary, researchers developed a method of coupling enhanced and prolonged immunoprotective cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses with reduced viremia. This method offers a means to develop a vaccination for infected HIV-1 patients, as well as a method to provide immunization to at-risk individuals.  Stimulating the activation of T cells was shown as critical to design and develop vaccines against HIV. However, vaccinations using either pox viruses or DNA-prime vaccines fail to protect against HIV-1 infection. With more than 30 million people currently infected with HIV and these failed vaccine approaches, there is an unmet need for novel combination therapies that boosts patients ’ immune response to the HIV retrovirus.The National Cancer Institute, Vaccine...
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