Repeated vaginal administration of trimeric HIV-1 clade C gp140 induces serum and mucosal antibody responses

Mucosal Immunol. 2010 Jan;3(1):57-68. doi: 10.1038/mi.2009.110. Epub 2009 Sep 9.

Abstract

Vaccine-mediated prevention of primary infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may require the sustained production of antibody at mucosal portals of entry. Here, we describe a novel approach of repeated mucosal immunization by delivering an HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (gp) in a gel formulated for intravaginal delivery. Rabbits were immunized over one to three 19-day cycles of intravaginal dosing with soluble recombinant trimeric HIV-1 clade C gp140 administered in Carbopol gel. The formulation was well tolerated. A single immunization cycle induced immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody detected in the serum and female genital tract, and titers were boosted on further immunization. Vaccine-induced serum antibodies neutralized the infectivity of a pseudovirus carrying a heterologous clade C envelope. Our data prove the concept that repeated exposure of the female genital tract to HIV envelope can induce mucosally detectable antibody.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intravaginal
  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation
  • Cell Line
  • Epitope Mapping
  • Epitopes / metabolism
  • HIV Antibodies / blood
  • HIV Infections / blood
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • HIV-1 / immunology*
  • HIV-1 / pathogenicity
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Mucosal
  • Immunization
  • Rabbits
  • env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / administration & dosage
  • env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / immunology*

Substances

  • Epitopes
  • HIV Antibodies
  • env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
  • gp140 envelope protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1