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. Preservation of mucosal CD4+ T cells in animals immunized intrarectally has been shown to be an important correlate of vaccine effectiveness. Main objective of this study is that mucosal AIDS vaccine that incorporates both T helper and CTL epitopes in conjunction with immuno-enhancing molecules designed to stimulate the immune response towards generating HIV/SIV specific CTL, will be highly efficient in controlling the virus infection in its primary reservoir, e.g. gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), and may protect the host against subsequent challenge. In collaboration with Dr. Lovgren-Bengtsson, during the period of past year, we prepared HIV/SIV mucosal vaccine. Peptides containing the HIV/SIV immunogens were commercially synthesized and shipped to our collaborators in Sweden for incorporation into immunostimulating complexes (ISCOMs). Vaccine production was completed by the end of summer 2004 and the first vaccine administrations were performed in October-2004. In collaborations with Dr. Marx?s group challenge viruses (SHIV-Ku and SHIV-162P) were scaled up, titrated and prepared for challenge. Currently, we continue with mucosal immunizations of rhesus macaques assigned for this study and evaluating the immune responses induced by our ISCOM-based vaccine. Challenge of both control and vaccine-inoculated animals is planned for February-2005
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