DNA vaccine against HIV-1 Gag: From the bench to the field (Immune deficiency).

摘要

We have summarized our efforts over the last several years to enhance the immunogenecity of HIV-1 Gag DNA vaccines. By destroying the inhibitory sequences in the coding region of HIV-1 Gag, we not only significantly increased the protein expression of HIV-1 in various cell types in a Rev-independent fashion, we have also enhanced both T helper and CTL responses in mice immunized with these novel DNA vaccines (Qiu et al., 1999). Subsequently, we have demonstrated that increasing the release of Gag from producer cells after DNA immunization could enhance both T helper and CTL responses (Qiu et al., 2000). We also showed that by targeting the secreted Gag antigen to antigen presentation cells through fusion with ligands of antigen presentation cells such as CTLA-4 (Qiu et al., 2001 submitted), CD40L, and MCP-3, we will be able to further enhance humoral or cellular immune responses. After 4 years of preparatory effort, our group just recently set up China's first HIV/AIDS cohort study based on 700 IV drug users in Guangxi Province. We have received grant support from the NIH to do the clinical trial in Guangxi Province. We are designing and implementing effective intervention/vaccination strategies targeted toward both injection drug use and high risk sexual behavior to reduce HIV-1 spread in China.