Vaccination with Vaxfectin(®) adjuvanted SIV DNA induces long-lasting humoral immune responses able to reduce SIVmac251 Viremia.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

We evaluated the immunogenicity and efficacy of Vaxfectin(®) adjuvanted SIV DNA vaccines in mice and macaques. Vaccination of mice with Vaxfectin(®) adjuvanted SIV gag DNA induced higher humoral immune responses than administration of unadjuvanted DNA, whereas similar levels of cellular immunity were elicited. Vaxfectin(®) adjuvanted SIVmac251 gag and env DNA immunization of rhesus macaques was used to examine magnitude, durability, and efficacy of humoral immunity. Vaccinated macaques elicited potent neutralizing antibodies able to cross-neutralize the heterologous SIVsmE660 Env. We found remarkable durability of Gag and Env humoral responses, sustained during ~2 y of follow-up. The Env-specific antibody responses induced by Vaxfectin(®) adjuvanted env DNA vaccination disseminated into mucosal tissues, as demonstrated by their presence in saliva, including responses to the V1-V2 region, and rectal fluids. The efficacy of the immune responses was evaluated upon intrarectal challenge with low repeated dose SIVmac251. Although 2 of the 3 vaccinees became infected, these animals showed significantly lower peak virus loads and lower chronic viremia than non-immunized infected controls. Thus, Vaxfectin(®) adjuvanted DNA is a promising vaccine approach for inducing potent immune responses able to control the highly pathogenic SIVmac251.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Kulkarni, V; Rosati, M; Valentin, A; Jalah, R; Alicea, C; Yu, L; Guan, Y; Shen, X; Tomaras, GD; LaBranche, C; Montefiori, DC; Irene, C; Prattipati, R; Pinter, A; Sullivan, SM; Pavlakis, GN; Felber, BK

Published Date

  • October 2013

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 9 / 10

Start / End Page

  • 2069 - 2080

PubMed ID

  • 23820294

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC3906391

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 2164-554X

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.4161/hv.25442

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States