Recombinant Mycobacterium bovis BCG producing the N-terminal half of SIVmac251 Env antigen induces neutralizing antibodies and cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in mice and guinea pigs

AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 1997 Dec 10;13(18):1573-81. doi: 10.1089/aid.1997.13.1573.

Abstract

Recombinant Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (rBCG) represents a good candidate for the development of vaccines against AIDS. Several HIV or SIV genes including nef, gag, and env have already been expressed by rBCG strains and shown to induce strong humoral and cellular immune responses in experimental animals. Because a broad immune response directed to multiple HIV/SIV antigens is highly desirable in order to develop effective vaccines, we have also investigated the immune response induced by an rBCG strain expressing a large N-terminal portion of the SIVmac251 Env gp110-encoding gene. The rBCG(SIVmac251Env) strain obtained was able to induce strong CTL responses in mice as well as humoral immune responses in mice and guinea pigs immunized by parenteral routes. The anti-gp110 IgGs produced were able to neutralize in vitro growth of virulent SIVmac251 field isolates. Moreover, guinea pigs immunized by the oral route produced significant levels of anti-gp110 IgAs in the feces, demonstrating that rBCG is able to induce local humoral immunity in the intestinal mucosa. These data provide further evidence of the utility of BCG as a candidate vaccine vector against AIDS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology*
  • Antigens, Viral / genetics
  • Antigens, Viral / immunology*
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Female
  • Genetic Vectors*
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mycobacterium bovis / genetics*
  • Mycobacterium bovis / immunology
  • Neutralization Tests
  • Retroviridae Proteins / genetics
  • Retroviridae Proteins / immunology*
  • Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / genetics
  • Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antigens, Viral
  • Retroviridae Proteins
  • SIV envelope protein gp110
  • Viral Envelope Proteins