Control of SARS-CoV-2 infection after Spike DNA or Spike DNA+Protein co-immunization in rhesus macaques.

The speed of development, versatility and efficacy of mRNA-based vaccines have been amply demonstrated in the case of SARS-CoV-2. DNA vaccines represent an important alternative since they induce both humoral and cellular immune responses in animal models and in human trials. We tested the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of DNA-based vaccine regimens expressing different prefusion-stabilized Wuhan-Hu-1 SARS-CoV-2 Spike antigens upon intramuscular injection followed by electroporation in rhesus macaques. Different Spike DNA vaccine regimens induced antibodies that potently neutralized SARS-CoV-2 in vitro and elicited robust T cell responses. The antibodies recognized and potently neutralized a panel of different Spike variants including Alpha, Delta, Epsilon, Eta and A.23.1, but to a lesser extent Beta and Gamma. The DNA-only vaccine regimens were compared to a regimen that included co-immunization of Spike DNA and protein in the same anatomical site, the latter of which showed significant higher antibody responses. All vaccine regimens led to control of SARS-CoV-2 intranasal/intratracheal challenge and absence of virus dissemination to the lower respiratory tract. Vaccine-induced binding and neutralizing antibody titers and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis inversely correlated with transient virus levels in the nasal mucosa. Importantly, the Spike DNA+Protein co-immunization regimen induced the highest binding and neutralizing antibodies and showed the strongest control against SARS-CoV-2 challenge in rhesus macaques.

Interleukin-15 response signature predicts RhCMV/SIV vaccine efficacy.

Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) challenge of rhesus macaques (RMs) vaccinated with strain 68-1 Rhesus Cytomegalovirus (RhCMV) vectors expressing SIV proteins (RhCMV/SIV) results in a binary outcome: stringent control and subsequent clearance of highly pathogenic SIV in ~55% of vaccinated RMs with no protection in the remaining 45%. Although previous work indicates that unconventionally restricted, SIV-specific, effector-memory (EM)-biased CD8+ T cell responses are necessary for efficacy, the magnitude of these responses does not predict efficacy, and the basis of protection vs. non-protection in 68-1 RhCMV/SIV vector-vaccinated RMs has not been elucidated. Here, we report that 68-1 RhCMV/SIV vector administration strikingly alters the whole blood transcriptome of vaccinated RMs, with the sustained induction of specific immune-related pathways, including immune cell, toll-like receptor (TLR), inflammasome/cell death, and interleukin-15 (IL-15) signaling, significantly correlating with subsequent vaccine efficacy. Treatment of a separate RM cohort with IL-15 confirmed the central involvement of this cytokine in the protection signature, linking the major innate and adaptive immune gene expression networks that correlate with RhCMV/SIV vaccine efficacy. This change-from-baseline IL-15 response signature was also demonstrated to significantly correlate with vaccine efficacy in an independent validation cohort of vaccinated and challenged RMs. The differential IL-15 gene set response to vaccination strongly correlated with the pre-vaccination activity of this pathway, with reduced baseline expression of IL-15 response genes significantly correlating with higher vaccine-induced induction of IL-15 signaling and subsequent vaccine protection, suggesting that a robust de novo vaccine-induced IL-15 signaling response is needed to program vaccine efficacy. Thus, the RhCMV/SIV vaccine imparts a coordinated and persistent induction of innate and adaptive immune pathways featuring IL-15, a known regulator of CD8+ T cell function, that support the ability of vaccine-elicited unconventionally restricted CD8+ T cells to mediate protection against SIV challenge.

Live attenuated rubella vectors expressing Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (Pf-CSP) provide a novel malaria vaccine platform in the rhesus macaque.

There is an urgent need for a malaria vaccine that can prevent severe disease in young children and adults. Despite earlier work showing an immunological mechanism for preventing infection and reducing disease severity, there is currently no reliable vaccine that can provide durable protection. In part, this may reflect a limited number of ways that the host can respond to the NANP repeat sequences of circumsporozoite protein (CSP) in the parasite. In addition, it may reflect antigenic escape by the parasite from protective antibodies. To be successful, a vaccine must protect against repeated exposure to infected mosquitoes in endemic areas. We have created a series of live viral vectors based on the rubella vaccine strain that express multiple tandem repeats of NANP, and we demonstrate immunogenicity in a rhesus macaque model. We tested the vectors in a sequential immunization strategy. In the first step, the animals were primed with CSP-DNA vaccine and boosted with rubella/CSP vectors. In the second step, we gave rubella/CSP vectors again, followed by recombinant CSP protein. Following the second step, antibody titers were comparable to adult exposure to malaria in an endemic area. The antibodies were specific for native CSP protein on sporozoites, and they persisted for at least 1½ years in two out of three macaques. Given the safety profile of rubella vaccine in children, these vectors could be most useful in protecting young children, who are at greatest risk of severe malarial disease.

Priming with DNA Expressing Trimeric HIV V1V2 Alters the Immune Hierarchy Favoring the Development of V2-Specific Antibodies in Rhesus Macaques.

The RV144 vaccine trial revealed a correlation between reduced risk of HIV infection and the level of nonneutralizing-antibody (Ab) responses targeting specific epitopes in the second variable domain (V2) of the HIV gp120 envelope (Env) protein, suggesting this region as a target for vaccine development. To favor induction of V2-specific Abs, we developed a vaccine regimen that included priming with DNA expressing an HIV V1V2 trimeric scaffold immunogen followed by booster immunizations with a combination of DNA and protein in rhesus macaques. Priming vaccination with DNA expressing the HIV recombinant subtype CRF01_AE V1V2 scaffold induced higher and broader V2-specific Ab responses than vaccination with DNA expressing CRF01_AE gp145 Env. Abs recognizing the V2 peptide that was reported as a critical target in RV144 developed only after the priming immunization with V1V2 DNA. The V2-specific Abs showed several nonneutralizing Fc-mediated functions, including ADCP and C1q binding. Importantly, robust V2-specific Abs were maintained upon boosting with gp145 DNA and gp120 protein coimmunization. In conclusion, priming with DNA expressing the trimeric V1V2 scaffold alters the hierarchy of humoral immune responses to V2 region epitopes, providing a method for more efficient induction and maintenance of V2-specific Env Abs associated with reduced risk of HIV infection.IMPORTANCE The aim of this work was to design and test a vaccine regimen focusing the immune response on targets associated with infection prevention. We demonstrated that priming with a DNA vaccine expressing only the HIV Env V1V2 region induces Ab responses targeting the critical region in V2 associated with protection. This work shows that V1V2 scaffold DNA priming immunization provides a method to focus immune responses to the desired target region, in the absence of immune interference by other epitopes. This induced immune responses with improved recognition of epitopes important for protective immunity, namely, V2-specific humoral immune responses inversely correlating with HIV risk of infection in the RV144 trial.

A Prime/Boost Vaccine Regimen Alters the Rectal Microbiome and Impacts Immune Responses and Viremia Control Post-Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection in Male and Female Rhesus Macaques.

An efficacious human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine will likely require induction of both mucosal and systemic immune responses. We compared the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of two mucosal/systemic vaccine regimens and investigated their effects on the rectal microbiome. Rhesus macaques were primed twice mucosally with replication-competent adenovirus type 5 host range mutant (Ad5hr)-simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) recombinants and boosted twice intramuscularly with ALVAC-SIV recombinant plus SIV gp120 protein or with DNA for SIV genes and rhesus interleukin-12 plus SIV gp120 protein. Controls received empty Ad5hr vector and alum adjuvant only. Both regimens elicited strong, comparable mucosal and systemic cellular and humoral immunity. Prevaccination rectal microbiomes of males and females differed and significantly changed over the course of immunization, most strongly in females after Ad5hr immunizations. Following repeated low-dose intrarectal SIV challenges, both vaccine groups exhibited modestly but significantly reduced acute viremia. Male and female controls exhibited similar acute viral loads; however, vaccinated females, but not males, exhibited lower levels of acute viremia, compared to same-sex controls. Few differences in adaptive immune responses were observed between the sexes. Striking differences in correlations of the rectal microbiome of males and females with acute viremia and immune responses associated with protection were seen and point to effects of the microbiome on vaccine-induced immunity and viremia control. Our study clearly demonstrates direct effects of a mucosal SIV vaccine regimen on the rectal microbiome and validates our previously reported SIV vaccine-induced sex bias. Sex and the microbiome are critical factors that should not be overlooked in vaccine design and evaluation.IMPORTANCE Differences in HIV pathogenesis between males and females, including immunity postinfection, have been well documented, as have steroid hormone effects on the microbiome, which is known to influence mucosal immune responses. Few studies have applied this knowledge to vaccine trials. We investigated two SIV vaccine regimens combining mucosal priming immunizations and systemic protein boosting. We again report a vaccine-induced sex bias, with female rhesus macaques but not males displaying significantly reduced acute viremia. The vaccine regimens, especially the mucosal primes, significantly altered the rectal microbiome. The greatest effects were in females. Striking differences between female and male macaques in correlations of prevalent rectal bacteria with viral loads and potentially protective immune responses were observed. Effects of the microbiome on vaccine-induced immunity and viremia control require further study by microbiome transfer. However, the findings presented highlight the critical importance of considering effects of sex and the microbiome in vaccine design and evaluation.

Molecular mechanisms of heparin-induced modulation of human interleukin 12 bioactivity.

Human interleukin-12 (hIL-12) is a heparin-binding cytokine whose activity was previously shown to be enhanced by heparin and other sulfated glycosaminoglycans. The current study investigated the mechanisms by which heparin increases hIL-12 activity. Using multiple human cell types, including natural killer cells, an IL-12 indicator cell line, and primary peripheral blood mononuclear and T cells, along with bioactivity, flow cytometry, and isothermal titration calorimetry assays, we found that heparin-dependent modulation of hIL-12 function correlates with several of heparin's biophysical characteristics, including chain length, sulfation level, and concentration. Specifically, only heparin molecules longer than eight saccharide units enhanced hIL-12 activity. Furthermore, heparin molecules with three sulfate groups per disaccharide unit outperformed heparin molecules with one or two sulfate groups per disaccharide unit in terms of enhanced hIL-12 binding and activity. Heparin also significantly reduced the EC50 value of hIL-12 by up to 11.8-fold, depending on the responding cell type. Cytokine-profiling analyses revealed that heparin affected the level, but not the type, of cytokines produced by lymphocytes in response to hIL-12. Interestingly, although murine IL-12 also binds heparin, heparin did not enhance its activity. Using the gathered data, we propose a model of hIL-12 stabilization in which heparin serves as a co-receptor enhancing the interaction between heterodimeric hIL-12 and its receptor subunits. The results of this study provide a foundation for further investigation of heparin's interactions with IL-12 family cytokines and for the use of heparin as an immunomodulatory agent.

Early T Follicular Helper Cell Responses and Germinal Center Reactions Are Associated with Viremia Control in Immunized Rhesus Macaques.

T follicular helper (TFH) cells are fundamental in germinal center (GC) maturation and selection of antigen-specific B cells within secondary lymphoid organs. GC-resident TFH cells have been fully characterized in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. However, the role of GC TFH cells in GC B cell responses following various simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) vaccine regimens in rhesus macaques (RMs) has not been fully investigated. We characterized GC TFH cells of RMs over the course of a mucosal/systemic vaccination regimen to elucidate GC formation and SIV humoral response generation. Animals were mucosally primed twice with replicating adenovirus type 5 host range mutant (Ad5hr)-SIV recombinants and systemically boosted with ALVAC-SIVM766Gag/Pro/gp120-TM and SIVM766&CG7V gD-gp120 proteins formulated in alum hydroxide (ALVAC/Env) or DNA encoding SIVenv/SIVGag/rhesus interleukin 12 (IL-12) plus SIVM766&CG7V gD-gp120 proteins formulated in alum phosphate (DNA&Env). Lymph nodes were biopsied in macaque subgroups prevaccination and at day 3, 7, or 14 after the 2nd Ad5hr-SIV prime and the 2nd vector/Env boost. Evaluations of GC TFH and GC B cell dynamics including correlation analyses supported a significant role for early GC TFH cells in providing B cell help during initial phases of GC formation. GC TFH responses at day 3 post-mucosal priming were consistent with generation of Env-specific memory B cells in GCs and elicitation of prolonged Env-specific humoral immunity in the rectal mucosa. GC Env-specific memory B cell responses elicited early post-systemic boosting correlated significantly with decreased viremia postinfection. Our results highlight the importance of early GC TFH cell responses for robust GC maturation and generation of long-lasting SIV-specific humoral responses at mucosal and systemic sites. Further investigation of GC TFH cell dynamics should facilitate development of an efficacious HIV vaccine.IMPORTANCE The modest HIV protection observed in the human RV144 vaccine trial associated antibody responses with vaccine efficacy. T follicular helper (TFH) cells are CD4+ T cells that select antibody secreting cells with high antigenic affinity in germinal centers (GCs) within secondary lymphoid organs. To evaluate the role of TFH cells in eliciting prolonged virus-specific humoral responses, we vaccinated rhesus macaques with a combined mucosal prime/systemic boost regimen followed by repeated low-dose intrarectal challenges with SIV, mimicking human exposure to HIV-1. Although the vaccine regimen did not prevent SIV infection, decreased viremia was observed in the immunized macaques. Importantly, vaccine-induced TFH responses elicited at day 3 postimmunization and robust GC maturation were strongly associated. Further, early TFH-dependent SIV-specific B cell responses were also correlated with decreased viremia. Our findings highlight the contribution of early vaccine-induced GC TFH responses to elicitation of SIV-specific humoral immunity and implicate their participation in SIV control.

Correction: Treatment with native heterodimeric IL-15 increases cytotoxic lymphocytes and reduces SHIV RNA in lymph nodes.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006902.].

Treatment with native heterodimeric IL-15 increases cytotoxic lymphocytes and reduces SHIV RNA in lymph nodes.

B cell follicles in secondary lymphoid tissues represent an immune privileged sanctuary for AIDS viruses, in part because cytotoxic CD8+ T cells are mostly excluded from entering the follicles that harbor infected T follicular helper (TFH) cells. We studied the effects of native heterodimeric IL-15 (hetIL-15) treatment on uninfected rhesus macaques and on macaques that had spontaneously controlled SHIV infection to low levels of chronic viremia. hetIL-15 increased effector CD8+ T lymphocytes with high granzyme B content in blood, mucosal sites and lymph nodes, including virus-specific MHC-peptide tetramer+ CD8+ cells in LN. Following hetIL-15 treatment, multiplexed quantitative image analysis (histo-cytometry) of LN revealed increased numbers of granzyme B+ T cells in B cell follicles and SHIV RNA was decreased in plasma and in LN. Based on these properties, hetIL-15 shows promise as a potential component in combination immunotherapy regimens to target AIDS virus sanctuaries and reduce long-term viral reservoirs in HIV-1 infected individuals. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02452268.

Neutrophil Vaccination Dynamics and Their Capacity To Mediate B Cell Help in Rhesus Macaques.

Neutrophils are the most abundant leukocyte and play a critical role in the initial response to an Ag. Recently, their ability to contribute to adaptive immunity has been highlighted. We evaluated the ability of neutrophils from blood to contribute to the adaptive immune response in a preclinical rhesus macaque SIV vaccine trial. Replication-competent adenovirus-SIV recombinants induced neutrophil activation, B cell help markers, and enhanced ability to generate reactive oxygen species. Boosting with SIV vaccines (adjuvant together with ALVAC or DNA plus envelope protein) elicited significant neutrophil responses. Serum cytokine and chemokine levels induced correlated with the frequency of neutrophil subsets expressing IL-21, myeloperoxidase, and CD64. Post-SIV infection, neutrophils exhibited dysfunction, both phenotypically and functionally. B cells from protected and infected macaques cocultured with autologous polymorphonuclear cells, consisting primarily of neutrophils, were activated, underwent class switching, and produced Abs. This B cell help was not aided by addition of IL-10 and was largely contact dependent. Numerous genes associated with inflammation, Ab production, and chemotaxis were upregulated in the cocultured B cells. We conclude that immune stimulation by vaccination or antigenic exposure imparts a greater ability of neutrophils to contribute to the adaptive immune response. Harnessing this granulocytic response has the potential to improve vaccine efficacy.

Control of Heterologous Simian Immunodeficiency Virus SIVsmE660 Infection by DNA and Protein Coimmunization Regimens Combined with Different Toll-Like-Receptor-4-Based Adjuvants in Macaques.

We developed a method of simultaneous vaccination with DNA and protein resulting in robust and durable cellular and humoral immune responses with efficient dissemination to mucosal sites and protection against simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection. To further optimize the DNA-protein coimmunization regimen, we tested a SIVmac251-based vaccine formulated with either of two Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) ligand-based liposomal adjuvant formulations (TLR4 plus TLR7 [TLR4+7] or TLR4 plus QS21 [TLR4+QS21]) in macaques. Although both vaccines induced humoral responses of similar magnitudes, they differed in their functional quality, including broader neutralizing activity and effector functions in the TLR4+7 group. Upon repeated heterologous SIVsmE660 challenge, a trend of delayed viral acquisition was found in vaccinees compared to controls, which reached statistical significance in animals with the TRIM-5α-resistant (TRIM-5α R) allele. Vaccinees were preferentially infected by an SIVsmE660 transmitted/founder virus carrying neutralization-resistant A/K mutations at residues 45 and 47 in Env, demonstrating a strong vaccine-induced sieve effect. In addition, the delay in virus acquisition directly correlated with SIVsmE660-specific neutralizing antibodies. The presence of mucosal V1V2 IgG binding antibodies correlated with a significantly decreased risk of virus acquisition in both TRIM-5α R and TRIM-5α-moderate/sensitive (TRIM-5α M/S) animals, although this vaccine effect was more prominent in animals with the TRIM-5α R allele. These data support the combined contribution of immune responses and genetic background to vaccine efficacy. Humoral responses targeting V2 and SIV-specific T cell responses correlated with viremia control. In conclusion, the combination of DNA and gp120 Env protein vaccine regimens using two different adjuvants induced durable and potent cellular and humoral responses contributing to a lower risk of infection by heterologous SIV challenge.IMPORTANCE An effective AIDS vaccine continues to be of paramount importance for the control of the pandemic, and it has been proven to be an elusive target. Vaccine efficacy trials and macaque challenge studies indicate that protection may be the result of combinations of many parameters. We show that a combination of DNA and protein vaccinations applied at the same time provides rapid and robust cellular and humoral immune responses and evidence for a reduced risk of infection. Vaccine-induced neutralizing antibodies and Env V2-specific antibodies at mucosal sites contribute to the delay of SIVsmE660 acquisition, and genetic makeup (TRIM-5α) affects the effectiveness of the vaccine. These data are important for the design of better vaccines and may also affect other vaccine platforms.

Optimized administration of hetIL-15 expands lymphocytes and minimizes toxicity in rhesus macaques.

The common γ-chain cytokine interleukin-15 (IL-15) plays a significant role in regulating innate and adaptive lymphocyte homeostasis and can stimulate anti-tumor activity of leukocytes. We have previously shown that the circulating IL-15 in the plasma is the heterodimeric form (hetIL-15), produced upon co-expression of IL-15 and IL-15 Receptor alpha (IL-15Rα) polypeptides in the same cell, heterodimerization of the two chains and secretion. We investigated the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile and toxicity of purified human hetIL-15 cytokine upon injection in rhesus macaques. We compared the effects of repeated hetIL-15 administration during a two-week dosing cycle, using different subcutaneous dosing schemata, i.e. fixed doses of 0.5, 5 and 50 µg/kg or a doubling step-dose scheme ranging from 2 to 64 µg/kg. Following a fixed-dose regimen, dose-dependent peak plasma IL-15 levels decreased significantly between the first and last injection. The trough plasma IL-15 levels measured at 48 h after injections were significantly higher after the first dose, compared to subsequent doses. In contrast, following the step-dose regimen, the systemic exposure increased by more than 1 log between the first injection given at 2 µg/kg and the last injection given at 64 µg/kg, and the trough levels were comparable after each injection. Blood lymphocyte cell count, proliferation, and plasma IL-18 levels peaked at day 8 when hetIL-15 was provided at fixed doses, and at the end of the cycle following a step-dose regimen, suggesting that sustained expansion of target cells requires increasing doses of cytokine. Macaques treated with a 50 µg/kg dose showed moderate and transient toxicity, including fever, signs of capillary leak syndrome and renal dysfunction. In contrast, these effects were mild or absent using the step-dose regimen. The results provide a new method of optimal administration of this homeostatic cytokine and may have applications for the delivery of other cytokines.

DNA Prime-Boost Vaccine Regimen To Increase Breadth, Magnitude, and Cytotoxicity of the Cellular Immune Responses to Subdominant Gag Epitopes of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus and HIV.

HIV sequence diversity and the propensity of eliciting immunodominant responses targeting variable regions of the HIV proteome are hurdles in the development of an effective AIDS vaccine. An HIV-derived conserved element (CE) p24gag plasmid DNA (pDNA) vaccine is able to redirect immunodominant responses to otherwise subdominant and often more vulnerable viral targets. By homology to the HIV immunogen, seven CE were identified in SIV p27Gag Analysis of 31 rhesus macaques vaccinated with full-length SIV gag pDNA showed inefficient induction (58% response rate) of cellular responses targeting these CE. In contrast, all 14 macaques immunized with SIV p27CE pDNA developed robust T cell responses recognizing CE. Vaccination with p27CE pDNA was also critical for the efficient induction and increased the frequency of Ag-specific T cells with cytotoxic potential (granzyme B+ CD107a+) targeting subdominant CE epitopes, compared with the responses elicited by the p57gag pDNA vaccine. Following p27CE pDNA priming, two booster regimens, gag pDNA or codelivery of p27CE+gag pDNA, significantly increased the levels of CE-specific T cells. However, the CE+gag pDNA booster vaccination elicited significantly broader CE epitope recognition, and thus, a more profound alteration of the immunodominance hierarchy. Vaccination with HIV molecules showed that CE+gag pDNA booster regimen further expanded the breadth of HIV CE responses. Hence, SIV/HIV vaccine regimens comprising CE pDNA prime and CE+gag pDNA booster vaccination significantly increased cytotoxic T cell responses to subdominant highly conserved Gag epitopes and maximized response breadth.

Balance of cellular and humoral immunity determines the level of protection by HIV vaccines in rhesus macaque models of HIV infection.

A guiding principle for HIV vaccine design has been that cellular and humoral immunity work together to provide the strongest degree of efficacy. However, three efficacy trials of Ad5-vectored HIV vaccines showed no protection. Transmission was increased in two of the trials, suggesting that this vaccine strategy elicited CD4+ T-cell responses that provide more targets for infection, attenuating protection or increasing transmission. The degree to which this problem extends to other HIV vaccine candidates is not known. Here, we show that a gp120-CD4 chimeric subunit protein vaccine (full-length single chain) elicits heterologous protection against simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) or simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) acquisition in three independent rhesus macaque repeated low-dose rectal challenge studies with SHIV162P3 or SIVmac251. Protection against acquisition was observed with multiple formulations and challenges. In each study, protection correlated with antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity specific for CD4-induced epitopes, provided that the concurrent antivaccine T-cell responses were minimal. Protection was lost in instances when T-cell responses were high or when the requisite antibody titers had declined. Our studies suggest that balance between a protective antibody response and antigen-specific T-cell activation is the critical element to vaccine-mediated protection against HIV. Achieving and sustaining such a balance, while enhancing antibody durability, is the major challenge for HIV vaccine development, regardless of the immunogen or vaccine formulation.

Vaccine-Induced Linear Epitope-Specific Antibodies to Simian Immunodeficiency Virus SIVmac239 Envelope Are Distinct from Those Induced to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Envelope in Nonhuman Primates.

To evaluate antibody specificities induced by simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) versus human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope antigens in nonhuman primate (NHP), we profiled binding antibody responses to linear epitopes in NHP studies with HIV-1 or SIV immunogens. We found that, overall, HIV-1 Env IgG responses were dominated by V3, with the notable exception of the responses to the vaccine strain A244 Env that were dominated by V2, whereas the anti-SIVmac239 Env responses were dominated by V2 regardless of the vaccine regimen.

Comparison of Immunogenicity in Rhesus Macaques of Transmitted-Founder, HIV-1 Group M Consensus, and Trivalent Mosaic Envelope Vaccines Formulated as a DNA Prime, NYVAC, and Envelope Protein Boost.

UNLABELLED: An effective human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) vaccine must induce protective antibody responses, as well as CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell responses, that can be effective despite extraordinary diversity of HIV-1. The consensus and mosaic immunogens are complete but artificial proteins, computationally designed to elicit immune responses with improved cross-reactive breadth, to attempt to overcome the challenge of global HIV diversity. In this study, we have compared the immunogenicity of a transmitted-founder (T/F) B clade Env (B.1059), a global group M consensus Env (Con-S), and a global trivalent mosaic Env protein in rhesus macaques. These antigens were delivered using a DNA prime-recombinant NYVAC (rNYVAC) vector and Env protein boost vaccination strategy. While Con-S Env was a single sequence, mosaic immunogens were a set of three Envs optimized to include the most common forms of potential T cell epitopes. Both Con-S and mosaic sequences retained common amino acids encompassed by both antibody and T cell epitopes and were central to globally circulating strains. Mosaics and Con-S Envs expressed as full-length proteins bound well to a number of neutralizing antibodies with discontinuous epitopes. Also, both consensus and mosaic immunogens induced significantly higher gamma interferon (IFN-γ) enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay (ELISpot) responses than B.1059 immunogen. Immunization with these proteins, particularly Con-S, also induced significantly higher neutralizing antibodies to viruses than B.1059 Env, primarily to tier 1 viruses. Both Con-S and mosaics stimulated more potent CD8-T cell responses against heterologous Envs than did B.1059. Both antibody and cellular data from this study strengthen the concept of using in silico-designed centralized immunogens for global HIV-1 vaccine development strategies. IMPORTANCE: There is an increasing appreciation for the importance of vaccine-induced anti-Env antibody responses for preventing HIV-1 acquisition. This nonhuman primate study demonstrates that in silico-designed global HIV-1 immunogens, designed for a human clinical trial, are capable of eliciting not only T lymphocyte responses but also potent anti-Env antibody responses.

Gammaretrovirus mRNA expression is mediated by a novel, bipartite post-transcriptional regulatory element.

Post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of several complex and simple retroviruses and retroelements have been elucidated, with the exception of the gammaretrovirus family. We found that, similar to the other retroviruses, gag gene expression of MuLV and XMRV depends on post-transcriptional regulation mediated via an RNA sequence overlapping the pro-pol open reading frame, termed the Post-Transcriptional Element (PTE). PTE function can be replaced by heterologous RNA export elements, e.g. CTE of simian type D retroviruses. Alternatively, Gag particle production is achieved using an RNA/codon optimized gag gene. PTE function is transferable and can replace HIV Rev-RRE-regulated expression of HIV gag. Analysis of PTE by SHAPE revealed a highly structured RNA comprising seven stem-loop structures, with the 5' and 3' stem-loops forming an essential bipartite signal. MuLV and XMRV PTE share 98% identity and have highly similar RNA structures, with changes mostly located to single-stranded regions. PTE identification strongly suggests that all retroviruses and retroelements share common strategies of post-transcriptional gene regulation to produce Gag. Expression depends on complex RNA structures embedded within retroviral mRNA, in coding regions or the 3' untranslated region. These specific structures serve as recognition signals for either cellular or viral proteins.

DNA and virus particle vaccination protects against acquisition and confers control of viremia upon heterologous simian immunodeficiency virus challenge.

We have previously shown that macaques vaccinated with DNA vectors expressing SIVmac239 antigens developed potent immune responses able to reduce viremia upon high-dose SIVmac251 challenge. To further improve vaccine-induced immunity and protection, we combined the SIVmac239 DNA vaccine with protein immunization using inactivated SIVmac239 viral particles as protein source. Twenty-six weeks after the last vaccination, the animals were challenged intrarectally at weekly intervals with a titrated dose of the heterologous SIVsmE660. Two of DNA-protein coimmunized macaques did not become infected after 14 challenges, but all controls were infected by 11 challenges. Vaccinated macaques showed modest protection from SIVsmE660 acquisition compared with naïve controls (P = 0.050; stratified for TRIM5α genotype). Vaccinees had significantly lower peak (1.6 log, P = 0.0048) and chronic phase viremia (P = 0.044), with 73% of the vaccinees suppressing viral replication to levels below assay detection during the 40-wk follow-up. Vaccine-induced immune responses associated significantly with virus control: binding antibody titers and the presence of rectal IgG to SIVsmE660 Env correlated with delayed SIVsmE660 acquisition; SIV-specific cytotoxic T cells, prechallenge CD4(+) effector memory, and postchallenge CD8(+) transitional memory cells correlated with control of viremia. Thus, SIVmac239 DNA and protein-based vaccine protocols were able to achieve high, persistent, broad, and effective cellular and humoral immune responses able to delay heterologous SIVsmE660 infection and to provide long-term control of viremia. These studies support a role of DNA and protein-based vaccines for development of an efficacious HIV/AIDS vaccine.