Immune responses in baboons vaccinated with HIV-2 genetic expression libraries

Blackbourn, D. (2002) Immune responses in baboons vaccinated with HIV-2 genetic expression libraries. Journal of Medical Primatology, 31(6), pp. 323-329. (doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0684.2002.01035.x)

Abstract

Immunization using genetic expression libraries may be an improvement over conventional DNA immunization using a single gene because more epitopes are simultaneously presented to the immune system. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of an HIV-2 vaccine made from a genomic expression library in baboons. We found that HIV-2 expression library immunization induced HIV-2-specific memory responses but low levels of CD8+ cell anti-viral responses and neutralizing antibodies. After intravenous virus challenge using a homologous pathogenic variant, HIV-2UC2/9429, viral loads were similar in the HIV-2-immunized and control baboons. We conclude that although immunization using HIV-2 expression libraries induces immune responses, this approach does not provide protection in baboons against intravenous challenge with HIV-2.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: UNSPECIFIED
• Authors: Blackbourn, D.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
• Journal Name: Journal of Medical Primatology
• Published Online: 09 December 2002