Mucosal immunization with a DNA vaccine induces immune responses against HIV-1 at a mucosal site

• Published in: Vaccine 1997-06, Vol.15 (8), p.821-825
• Main Authors: Wang, Bin, Dang, Kesen, Agadjanyan, Michael G., Srikantans, Vasantha, Li, Feng, Ugen, Kenneth E., Boyer, Jean, Merva, Michael, Williams, William V., Weiner, David B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - immunology; Administration, Intravaginal; AIDS Vaccines - administration & dosage; AIDS Vaccines - immunology; AIDS/HIV; Animals; Applied microbiology; beta-Galactosidase - genetics; Biological and medical sciences; DNA inoculation; DNA, Viral - immunology; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genes, Reporter; HIV Antibodies - biosynthesis; HIV Envelope Protein gp160 - genetics; HIV Envelope Protein gp160 - immunology; HIV-1 - immunology; HIV-1 neutralization; human immunodeficiency virus 1; Immunity, Mucosal; Mice; Microbiology; mucosal immune response; Vaccines, antisera, therapeutical immunoglobulins and monoclonal antibodies; Vaccines, antisera, therapeutical immunoglobulins and monoclonal antibodies (general aspects); Vaccines, DNA - administration & dosage; Vaccines, DNA - immunology; Virology
• ISSN: 0264-410X; 1873-2518
• DOI: 10.1016/S0264-410X(96)00259-9

Mucosal immunity is the first defense system in protection against mucosal infection by sexually transmitted diseases and subsequent systemic dissemination of infection. Development of vaccines which can induce protective mucosal immunity would have great promise for preventing sexually transmitted diseases including AIDS. DNA vaccines have recently shown certain advantages over other types of vaccines in safety and elicitation of specific immune responses. We have hypothesized that direct delivery of a DNA plasmid coding the HIV-1 envelope (pcMN160) via mucosal routes will stimulate mucosal immunity against HIV-1. The expression of DNA plasmid inoculated intravaginally was detected in various tissues. Intravaginal inoculation of pcMN160 elicits production of vaginal immunoglobulins which specifically bind to the HIV-1 envelope and neutralize HIV-1 infectivity in vitro. These results indicate the feasibility of inducing mucosal immunity following mucosal inoculation of DNA vaccines. When coupled with systemic inoculation of appropriate DNA constructs, effective mucosal and systemic immunity may be generated.