Chimeric influenza virus induces neutralizing antibodies and cytotoxic T cells against human immunodeficiency virus type 1

J Virol. 1993 Nov;67(11):6659-66. doi: 10.1128/JVI.67.11.6659-6666.1993.

Abstract

Expression vectors based on DNA or plus-stranded RNA viruses are being developed as vaccine carriers directed against various pathogens. Less is known about the use of negative-stranded RNA viruses, whose genomes have been refractory to direct genetic manipulation. Using a recently described reverse genetics method, we investigated whether influenza virus is able to present antigenic structures from other infectious agents. We engineered a chimeric influenza virus which expresses a 12-amino-acid peptide derived from the V3 loop of gp120 of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) MN. This peptide was inserted into the loop of antigenic site B of the influenza A/WSN/33 virus hemagglutinin (HA). The resulting chimeric virus was recognized by specific anti-V3 peptide antibodies and a human anti-gp120 monoclonal antibody in both hemagglutination inhibition and neutralization assays. Mice immunized with the chimeric influenza virus produced anti-HIV antibodies which were able to bind to synthetic V3 peptide, to precipitate gp120, and to neutralize MN virus in human T-cell culture system. In addition, the chimeric virus was also capable of inducing cytotoxic T cells which specifically recognize the HIV sequence. These results suggest that influenza virus can be used as an expression vector for inducing both B- and T-cell-mediated immunity against other infectious agents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
  • Base Sequence
  • DNA Primers
  • Epitopes
  • HIV Antibodies / biosynthesis*
  • HIV Antigens / immunology*
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / immunology*
  • Hemagglutinins, Viral / immunology
  • Influenza A virus / immunology*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neutralization Tests
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • DNA Primers
  • Epitopes
  • HIV Antibodies
  • HIV Antigens
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120
  • Hemagglutinins, Viral
  • Vaccines, Synthetic