Antigenic requirement for Gag in a vaccine that protects against high-dose mucosal challenge with simian immunodeficiency virus

Virology. 2015 Feb:476:405-412. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2014.12.027. Epub 2015 Jan 12.

Abstract

We reported previously on a vaccine approach that conferred apparent sterilizing immunity to SIVsmE660. The vaccine regimen employed a prime-boost using vectors based on recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and an alphavirus replicon expressing either SIV Gag or SIV Env. In the current study, we tested the ability of vectors expressing only the SIVsmE660 Env protein to protect macaques against the same high-dose mucosal challenge. Animals developed neutralizing antibody levels comparable to or greater than seen in the previous vaccine study. When the vaccinated animals were challenged with the same high-dose of SIVsmE660, all became infected. While average peak viral loads in animals were slightly lower than those of previous controls, the viral set points were not significantly different. These data indicate that Gag, or the combination of Gag and Env are required for the generation of apparent sterilizing immunity to the SIVsmE660 challenge.

Keywords: Neutralizing antibody; Rhesus macaque; SIVsmE660; Vesicular stomatitis virus; Virus-like vesicles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • AIDS Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • AIDS Vaccines / genetics
  • AIDS Vaccines / immunology*
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gene Products, env / administration & dosage
  • Gene Products, env / genetics
  • Gene Products, env / immunology*
  • Gene Products, gag / administration & dosage
  • Gene Products, gag / genetics
  • Gene Products, gag / immunology*
  • HIV / genetics
  • HIV / immunology
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • Humans
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Mucous Membrane / immunology*
  • Mucous Membrane / virology
  • Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / immunology*
  • Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / prevention & control
  • Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / virology
  • Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / genetics
  • Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / immunology*

Substances

  • AIDS Vaccines
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Gene Products, env
  • Gene Products, gag