Induction of gp120-specific protective immune responses by genetic vaccination with linear polyethylenimine-plasmid complex

Manolo Rodrigo Garzón, Pedro Berraondo, Julien Crettaz, Laura Ochoa, Maria Vera, Juan Jose Lasarte, Africa Vales, Nico Van Rooijen, Juan Ruiz, Jesús Prieto, Javier Zulueta, Gloria González-Aseguinolaza

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

42 Scopus citations

Abstract

The induction of IFN-γ-secreting CD8+ T cells and neutralizing antibodies to HIV-1 are both key requirements for prevention of viral transmission and clearance of pathogenic HIV. Although DNA vaccination has been shown to induce both humoral and cellular immune responses against HIV antigens, the magnitude of the immune responses has always been disappointing. In this report, we analyze the ability of polyethylenimine (PEI)-DNA complex expressing an HIV-glycoprotein 120 (gp120) antigen (PEI-pgp120) to induce systemic CD8+ T cell and humoral responses to the gp120 antigen. The administration of PEI-plasmid complex resulted in rapid elevation of serum levels of IL-12 and IFN-γ. Furthermore, a single administration of PEI-pgp120 complex elicits a number of gp120-specific CD8+ T cells 20 times higher than that elicited by three intramuscular injections of naked DNA. Interestingly, we found that systemic vaccination with PEI-pgp120 induced protective immune responses against both systemic and mucosal challenges with a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing a gp120 antigen. The data also demonstrated that the depletion of macrophages with liposome-encapsulated clodronate completely abolished gp120-specific cellular response. Overall, our results showed that a single administration of PEI-pgp120 complexes, eliciting strong immune responses, is an effective vaccination approach to generate protection against systemic and mucosal viral infections.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1384-1392
Number of pages9
JournalVaccine
Volume23
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 3 2005
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • CD8+ T cell
  • HIV-gp120
  • Plasmid DNA
  • Polyethylenimine
  • Protection

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Medicine
  • General Immunology and Microbiology
  • General Veterinary
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Infectious Diseases

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