Propagating chimeric particle vaccines (PCP) are promising candidates for the development of an effective vaccine against HIV, because they have the potential to induce immunity similar to live-attenuated vaccines without the associated safety concerns. Replicating particle-based vaccines will be generated to express lentiviral Gag and Env for the induction of protective neutralizing antibody and cellular immunity against HIV/AIDS. Gag and Env are expressed from a VEE replicon genome and form particles that contain a non-integrating, nonpathogenic, replicating, chimeric VEE/lentiviral genome. However, the propagating chimeric particle does not have a specific mechanism to preferentially package genomic RNA. Currently, the particles produced by the vaccine promiscuously package any available RNA within the cytoplasm of the infected cell. Therefore, the goal of this research is to enhance the specific encapsidation of genomic RNA by Gag/Env PCP, thereby improving the ultimate immunogenicity of the vaccine. The PCP vaccine will be modified to contain alphaviral and lentiviral encapsidation enhancement signals and evaluated for particle formation, specific binding and encapsidation of genomic RNA as well as replication competency. ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32AI071770-02
Application #
7283581
Study Section
HIV/AIDS Vaccines Study Section (VACC)
Program Officer
Bradac, James A
Project Start
2006-08-01
Project End
2009-07-31
Budget Start
2007-08-01
Budget End
2008-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2007
Total Cost
$48,796
Indirect Cost
Name
Global Vaccines, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
607832719
City
Research Triangle Park
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27709
Jurgens, Christy K; Young, Kelly R; Madden, Victoria J et al. (2012) A novel self-replicating chimeric lentivirus-like particle. J Virol 86:246-61