Induction and Characterization of Immune Responses in Small Animals Using a Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus (VEE) Replicon System, Expressing Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) Envelope Genes
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is the lentivirus responsible for the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) pandemic. Currently, no approved vaccine exists to combat this global human health threat. One approach is to develop a vaccine that induces neutralizing antibodies. To date, the most promising platforms used for induction of neutralizing antibodies against HIV-1 is the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE) replicon system. The studies detailed herein have characterized certain aspects of the immune responses induced by the in vivo VEE expression system. Following HIV-1 Env-encoding replicon preparation and immunization of mice, the analysis of those immune responses were carried out using enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) and virus neutralization assays. The data revealed significant anti-HIV-1 Env antibody induction, with intra-clade and to a lesser extent inter-clade neutralizing antibody reactivity. The data obtained from these studies will contribute to the goal of inducing broadly cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies and aid in the development of an effective vaccine for HIV-1.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA421292
Entities
People
- Jennifer M. Devol
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences