Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Vaccine Development: Recent Advances in the Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Platform “Spotty Business”

CD40L expressed from the canarypox vector, ALVAC, can boost immunogenicity of HIV-1 canarypox vaccine in mice and enhance the in vitro expansion of viral specific CD8+ T cell memory responses from HIV-1-infected and HIV-1-uninfected individuals

“…Members of the poxvirus family, especially attenuated poxviruses, like modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA), NYVAC, and ALVAC, have been used as vectors for HIV-1 vaccines. However, the immunogenicity of these vaccines in humans is also generally low to modest [42,43], implying that further efforts need to be done to improve the immunogenicity of current poxvirus vector HIV-1 vaccines.…”

Plasmids encoding the mucosal chemokines CCL27 and CCL28 are effective adjuvants in eliciting antigen-specific immunity in vivo

“…DNA vaccines have been shown to elicit humoral and cellular responses and confer protection in small-animal models and in larger species to some degree. 1,[3][4][5][6] Despite these advantages, enhancing the potency of immune responses generated by DNA vaccines is a critical focus of this platform, because DNA vaccines have shown poor translation from rodent studies to human trials. Some strategies to overcome the limitations in immunogenicity of the platform include gene optimization, heterologous prime-boost strategies, improved delivery techniques, as well as the use of molecular adjuvants to augment DNA vaccine-elicited responses.…”

“…Some strategies to overcome the limitations in immunogenicity of the platform include gene optimization, heterologous prime-boost strategies, improved delivery techniques, as well as the use of molecular adjuvants to augment DNA vaccine-elicited responses. 1,[7][8][9][10][11] The inclusion of genes encoding cytokines or chemokines (immune trafficking signals) in a vaccination strategy can alter the magnitude, duration and nature of the immune response and such genes have been tested as vaccine adjuvants. [12][13][14][15][16][17] These strategies have shown promise in improving the efficacy of DNA vaccines in large-animal models such as horses, dogs and pigs, as well as in humans.…”

Manipulation of TH17 responses in pulmonary immunity and disease through vaccination

“…It is also possible to make use of naked-DNA loaded into liposomes, which can then be effectively targeted with different specificities in the lung. 114,115 There are disadvantages to the use of DNA-based vaccination including theoretical safety issues regarding integration, autoimmunity and transfer of antibiotic resistance. 114,115 However, these are highly unlikely outcomes, and resolutions are already being put into place to monitor and prevent these undesirable side effect.…”

“…114,115 There are disadvantages to the use of DNA-based vaccination including theoretical safety issues regarding integration, autoimmunity and transfer of antibiotic resistance. 114,115 However, these are highly unlikely outcomes, and resolutions are already being put into place to monitor and prevent these undesirable side effect. 114,115 Additionally, although clinical trials have thus far demonstrated that the use of DNA-based vaccination approaches is well tolerated and safe, they have not yet demonstrated a similar potent immunogenicity as observed in mice.…”