This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The main goal of this project is to investigate the role of immunomodulatory proteins encoded by rhesus CMV in establishing persistent CMV infection. CMV-seronegative rhesus macaques immunized with plasmids encoding the rhCMV IL-10, pp65 and gB genes developed humoral and cellular immune responses to the CMV immunogens. Following challenge with rhesus CMV, all vaccinated animals were infected. However, the peak CMV viremia was 10 to 100-fold lower and appeared to be delayed in vaccinated as compared to unvaccinated animals. So far, no differences have been observed between vaccinated macaques that did or did not receive vIL-10 immunization. A rhCMV variant with deletion of the viral immunomodulatory gene IL-10 has been synthesized. Studies are underway to investigate its impact on CMV persistence and CMV immunity.
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