TY - JOUR
T1 - Protection against FIV challenge infection by genetic vaccination using minimalistic DNA constructs for FIV env gene and feline IL-12 expression
AU - Boretti, Felicitas S.
AU - Leutenegger, Christian M.
AU - Mislin, Caroline
AU - Hofmann-Lehmann, Regina
AU - König, Sven
AU - Schroff, Matthias
AU - Junghans, Claas
AU - Fehr, Daniela
AU - Huettner, Silke W.
AU - Habel, André
AU - Flynn, J. Norman
AU - Aubert, André
AU - Pedersen, Niels C
AU - Wittig, Burghardt
AU - Lutz, Hans
PY - 2000
Y1 - 2000
N2 - Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a genetic vaccination protocol based on minimalistic, immunogenic defined gene expression (MIDGE) vectors coding for domains of the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) env gene and feline IL-12. Methods: Three groups of four cats each were immunized three times within 6 weeks by the ballistic transfer of gold particles coated with MIDGE vectors. Group 1 received non-coated gold beads, groups 2 and 3 MIDGE vectors expressing FIV surface plus part of the transmembrane protein. In addition, group 3 received feline IL-12 DNA. All cats were challenged by intraperitoneal injection of 25 TCID50 of infectious FIV Z2. The following criteria were monitored: clinical signs, antibodies to transmembrane protein, antibodies to whole FIV, haematological parameters and kinetics of CD4 and CD8 cells, FIV proviral load (determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction; PCR) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity (in selected cats). Results: None of the cats developed a detectable antibody response during immunizations. Four weeks after challenge exposure, all cats in group 1 (control) and group 2 (FIV surface-transmembrane protein) had seroconverted and showed a high proviral load until week 19 (end of experiment). In contrast, only one of four cats in group 3 (surface-transmembrane protein and IL-12) showed antibodies; it was provirus positive at reduced virus load. Short-lived CTL activity was found in two cats in group 3. Conclusion: Genetic vaccination using a MIDGE-based construct for the expression of the surface-transmembrane protein domain of FIV env and feline IL-12 DNA led to protection against homologous virus challenge in three out of four vaccinated cats. (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
AB - Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a genetic vaccination protocol based on minimalistic, immunogenic defined gene expression (MIDGE) vectors coding for domains of the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) env gene and feline IL-12. Methods: Three groups of four cats each were immunized three times within 6 weeks by the ballistic transfer of gold particles coated with MIDGE vectors. Group 1 received non-coated gold beads, groups 2 and 3 MIDGE vectors expressing FIV surface plus part of the transmembrane protein. In addition, group 3 received feline IL-12 DNA. All cats were challenged by intraperitoneal injection of 25 TCID50 of infectious FIV Z2. The following criteria were monitored: clinical signs, antibodies to transmembrane protein, antibodies to whole FIV, haematological parameters and kinetics of CD4 and CD8 cells, FIV proviral load (determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction; PCR) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity (in selected cats). Results: None of the cats developed a detectable antibody response during immunizations. Four weeks after challenge exposure, all cats in group 1 (control) and group 2 (FIV surface-transmembrane protein) had seroconverted and showed a high proviral load until week 19 (end of experiment). In contrast, only one of four cats in group 3 (surface-transmembrane protein and IL-12) showed antibodies; it was provirus positive at reduced virus load. Short-lived CTL activity was found in two cats in group 3. Conclusion: Genetic vaccination using a MIDGE-based construct for the expression of the surface-transmembrane protein domain of FIV env and feline IL-12 DNA led to protection against homologous virus challenge in three out of four vaccinated cats. (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
KW - DNA vaccine
KW - Feline IL-12
KW - FIV env gene
KW - Protection
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U2 - 10.1097/00002030-200008180-00009
DO - 10.1097/00002030-200008180-00009
M3 - Article
C2 - 10985311
AN - SCOPUS:0033831241
VL - 14
SP - 1749
EP - 1757
JO - AIDS
JF - AIDS
SN - 0269-9370
IS - 12
ER -