Recombinant rubella vectors elicit SIV Gag-specific T cell responses with cytotoxic potential in rhesus macaques. Issue 18 (27th April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rosati, Margherita; Alicea, Candido; Kulkarni, Viraj; Virnik, Konstantin; Hockenbury, Max; Sardesai, Niranjan Y.; Pavlakis, George N.; Valentin, Antonio; Berkower, Ira; Felber, Barbara K.
• Is Part Of: Vaccine. Volume 33:Issue 18(2015)
• Page Start: 2167
• Page End: 2174
• Publication Date: 2015-04-27
• Subjects: Vaccines -- Periodicals; 615.372
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.02.067
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-410X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="author" id="abs0005"> <title id="sect0005">Abstract</title> <sec> <p id="spar0005">Live-attenuated rubella vaccine strain RA27/3 has been demonstrated to be safe and immunogenic in millions of children. The vaccine strain was used to insert SIV <italic>gag</italic> sequences and the resulting rubella vectors were tested in rhesus macaques alone and together with SIV <italic>gag</italic> DNA in different vaccine prime-boost combinations. We previously reported that such rubella vectors induce robust and durable SIV-specific humoral immune responses in macaques. Here, we report that recombinant rubella vectors elicit robust <italic>de novo</italic> SIV-specific cellular immune responses detectable for &gt;10 months even after a single vaccination. The antigen-specific responses induced by the rubella vector include central and effector memory CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells with cytotoxic potential. Rubella vectors can be administered repeatedly even after vaccination with the rubella vaccine strain RA27/3. Vaccine regimens including rubella vector and SIV <italic>gag</italic> DNA in different prime-boost combinations resulted in robust long-lasting cellular responses with significant increase of cellular responses upon boost. Rubella vectors provide a potent platform for inducing HIV-specific immunity that can be combined with DNA in a prime-boost regimen to elicit durable cellular immunity.</p> </sec> </abstract>