We propose a National Cooperative Vaccine Development Group for AIDS comprised of Molecular Vaccines, Inc. (MVI), Albert Einstein School of Medicine, Albany Medical College, and the Laboratory of Viral Diseases, NIAID. This consortium will identify T helper (Th), cytotoxic T cell (Tc) and B cell epitomes of HIV proteins and will develop synthetic peptide or recombinant constructs, varying in their incorporation of individual epitomes, type of epitomes, the number of repeats, and their order in the molecule. These synthetic construct will be compared in standardized assays for neutralization antibody and cytotoxic T cell (CTL) responses in a central core immunology laboratory. The most immunogenic will e used to construct synthetic peptide or recombinant protein molecules which by themselves, inserted into liposome membranes, or expressed in Bacilli Calmette Guerin (BCG) or vaccinia virus vectors will serve as candidate vaccines. Such candidates will be rigorously compared by the core immunology laboratory for induction and boosting of high-titered, BRoadly cross-reactive neutralizing antibody responses, crossreactive CTL responses, and lack of immune restriction. MVI will scale-up promising vaccines under conditions of Good Manufacturing Practice for preclinical safety and primate efficacy studies. This consortium intends to integrate modern immunologic concepts and techniques into established effective, safe, and inexpensive vaccine delivery systems. We believe that such a strategy will markedly increase the chances to develop and use a multivalent, broadly protective vaccine against Human Immunodeficiency Viruses.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project--Cooperative Agreements (U01)
Project #
5U01AI028171-04
Application #
3547496
Study Section
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Research Review Committee (AIDS)
Project Start
1989-03-01
Project End
1994-02-28
Budget Start
1992-03-01
Budget End
1993-02-28
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
1992
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Medimmune, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Gaithersburg
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
20878
Fuerst, T R; de la Cruz, V F; Bansal, G P et al. (1992) Development and analysis of recombinant BCG vector systems. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 8:1451-5
Fuerst, T R; Stover, C K; de la Cruz, V F (1991) Development of BCG as a live recombinant vector system: potential use as an HIV vaccine. Biotechnol Ther 2:159-78