Therapeutic HIV vaccine was considered as a hopeful curative method for AIDS patients. However, there is still no suitable HIV animal model for vaccine study since the difference in the immune system between human and animals. To evaluate the therapeutic effect of combined immunization strategy with multiple vector vaccines in macaque models. Plasmid DNA, recombinant Ad5 and MVA vaccines which expressing SIV gag and env genes were constructed. Sequential and repeated immune strategy were applied to immunize mice with these three vaccines. Cellular immune responses in mice immunized with these three vaccines were measured by ELISPOT test in vitro and CTL assay in vivo. The results were analyzed and compared with different antigen combination, order of vaccines and intervals to choose a suitable immunization strategy for macaque immunization in future. It indicated that strong SIV-Gag/Env-specific cellular immune responses were induced by these three vector vaccines. It laid a foundation for evaluating the therapeutic effect of combined immunization strategy with multiple vector vaccines in SIV infected macaque models.
AIDS Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology ; Adenoviridae ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; immunology ; Female ; Gene Products, env ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology ; Gene Products, gag ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; metabolism ; HIV Infections ; immunology ; prevention & control ; virology ; Humans ; Immunization ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Simian Immunodeficiency Virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Vaccines, DNA ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the molecular?mechanisms by which triptolide induces apoptosis of human acute T lymphocytic leukemia Jurkat cells.

METHODSMTT assay was employed to detect the proliferation inhibition of Jurkat cells by triptolide, and the IC50 was calculated by OriginPro8. Flow cytometry was used to analyze apoptosis of Jurkat cells. Np9 mRNA levels were detected by RT-PCR and analyzed quantitatively by Kodak 1D 3.6 software. Correlation between the inhibition of Np9 transcription and the cell apoptosis was analyzed by SPSS 19.0.Western blotting was employed to determine Np9 downstream signaling molecules c-myc, β-catenin, ERK, AKT and Notch1 protein level in Jurkat cells after exposure to different concentrations of triptolide for 48 h.

RESULTSTriptolide treatment resulted in dose-dependent inhibition of Jurkat cells proliferation and its IC50 was 12.7 nmol/L. Triptolide induced apoptosis of Jurkat cells in dose- dependent manner. Furthermore, triptolide inhibited Np9 mRNA transcription level in Jurakt cells in a dose-dependent manner. There was a correlation between the triptolide-mediated the apoptosis and the inhibition of Np9 transcription of Jurkat cells (R(2)=0.907). Western blotting results displayed that triptolide inhibited transcription levels of Np9 mRNA with a concomitant decrease of its downstream signaling molecules c-myc, β-catenin, ERK, AKT and Notch1 at protein levels.

CONCLUSIONInhibition of HERV-K Np9 mRNA and its downstream signaling molecules c-myc, β-catenin, ERK, Akt and Notch1 protein might be one of important molecular?mechanisms by which triptolide induces apoptosis of human acute T lymphocytic leukemia Jurkat cells.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Endogenous Retroviruses ; genetics ; Epoxy Compounds ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; Gene Products, env ; genetics ; Humans ; Jurkat Cells ; drug effects ; Phenanthrenes ; pharmacology ; Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; pathology ; Transcription, Genetic

To optimize the immunization strategy against HIV-1, a DNA vaccine was combined with a recombinant vaccinia virus (rTV) vaccine and a protein vaccine. Immune responses against HIV-1 were detected in 30 female guinea pigs divided into six groups. Three groups of guinea pigs were primed with HIV-1 DNA vaccine three times, boosted with rTV at week 14, and then boosted with gp140 protein at intervals of 4, 8 or 12 weeks. Simultaneously, the other three groups of animals were primed with rTV vaccine once, and then boosted with gp140 after 4, 8 or 12 weeks. The HIV-1 specific binding antibody and neutralizing antibody, in addition to the relative affinity of these antibodies, were detected at different time points after the final administration of vaccine in each group. The DNA-rTV-gp140 immune regimen induced higher titers and affinity levels of HIV-1 gp120/gp140 antibodies and stronger V1V2-gp70 antibodies than the rTV-gp140 regimen. In the guinea pigs that underwent the DNA-rTV-gp140 regimen, the highest V1V2-gp70 antibody was induced in the 12-week-interval group. However, the avidity of antibodies was improved in the 4-week-interval group. Using the rTV-gp140 immunization strategy, guinea pigs boosted at 8 or 12 weeks after rTV priming elicited stronger humoral responses than those boosted at 4 weeks after priming. In conclusion, this study shows that the immunization strategy of HIV-1 DNA vaccine priming, followed by rTV and protein vaccine boosting, could strengthen the humoral response against HIV-1. Longer intervals were better to induce V1V2-gp70-specific antibodies, while shorter intervals were more beneficial to enhance the avidity of antibodies.
AIDS Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology ; Animals ; DNA, Viral ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology ; Female ; Guinea Pigs ; HIV Infections ; immunology ; prevention & control ; virology ; HIV-1 ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunization ; methods ; Vaccines, DNA ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology ; Vaccinia virus ; genetics ; immunology ; env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology

To obtain protective human monoclonal antibody from HIV-1 infected person, we adapted a technology for isolating antigen specific monoclonal antibody from human memory B cells through in vitro B cell activation coupled with RT-PCT and expression cloning. Human B cells were purified by negative sorting from PBMCs of HIV-1 infected individuals and memory B cells were further enriched using anti-CD27 microbeads. Two hundred memory B cells per well were cultured in 96-well round-bottom plates Env-specific antibodies in supernatants were with feeder cells in medium containing EBV and CpG. screened by ELISA after 1-2 weeks' culture. Cells from positive wells of Env-specific antibody were harvested and total RNA was isolated. Human VH and Vkappa or Vlambda genes were amplified by RT-PCR and cloned into IgG1 and kappa or lambda expressing vectors. Functional VH and Vkappa or Vlambda were identified by cotransfecting 293T cells with individual heavy chain and light chain clones followed by analysis of culture supernatants by ELISA for Env-specific antibodies. Finally, corresponding mAb was produced by transient transfection of 293T cells with the identified VH and Vkappa/lambda pair and purified by protein A affinity chromatography. Purified monocolonal antibodies were used for HIV-1 specific antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and neutralizing activity assay. Four monocolonal Env-specific antibodies were isolated from one HIV-1 subtype B' infected individual. Two of them showed strong ADCC activity and one showed weak neutralizing activity against HIV-1. Its further studies on their application in therapeutic or prophylactic vaccines against HIV-1 should be grounded.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; genetics ; immunology ; Antibody Specificity ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; B-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Cloning, Molecular ; HEK293 Cells ; HIV Infections ; blood ; immunology ; HIV-1 ; immunology ; pathogenicity ; Humans ; Immunity, Humoral ; Neutralization Tests ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus ; immunology

PURPOSE: The third variable (V3) loop of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein has been intensively studied for AIDS vaccine development. Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is widely used to immunize against tuberculosis and has many advantages as a vaccine vehicle, such as low toxicity, adjuvant potential, low cost, and long-lasting immune-inducing capacity. This work was initiated to investigate the immunogenicity of recombinant BCG (rBCG-mV3) designed to express trimeric HIV-1 V3 loop (mV3) in rBCG-mV3-immunized animals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HIV-1 V3-concatamer was cloned into pMV261, a BCG-expression vector, and then rBCG-mV3 was constructed by introducing the recombinant plasmid (pMV-V3). The recombinant BCG was examined with regard to its expression of V3-concatamer and the genetic stability in vivo and in vitro. The immune responses induced by recombinant BCG were tested in immunized mice and guinea pigs. RESULTS: The rBCG-mV3 expressed detectable amounts of V3-concatamer when induced by single heat-shock. The recombinant BCG was genetically stable and maintained the introduced mV3 gene for several weeks. V3-specific antibodies were clearly detected 6 weeks after inoculation. The antibody titer rapidly increased after immunization up to 10 weeks, and then maintained for over 4 weeks. IgG2a was prevalent in the V3-specific antiserum. The recombinant BCG was also effective in inducing delayed-type hypersensitivity responses in the immunized guinea pigs. rBCG-immunized mice retained substantial amounts of V3-specific T cells in the spleen, even 5 months after the first immunization. CONCLUSION: Recombinant BCG-mV3 is very efficient in inducing humoral and long-lasting cell-mediated immunity against HIV-1 V3 in the immunized animals.
AIDS Vaccines/genetics/*immunology ; Animals ; BCG Vaccine/genetics/*immunology ; Female ; Guinea Pigs ; HIV-1/*immunology ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular/genetics/*immunology ; Immunity, Humoral/genetics/*immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/genetics/*immunology

PURPOSE: The third variable (V3) loop of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein has been intensively studied for AIDS vaccine development. Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is widely used to immunize against tuberculosis and has many advantages as a vaccine vehicle, such as low toxicity, adjuvant potential, low cost, and long-lasting immune-inducing capacity. This work was initiated to investigate the immunogenicity of recombinant BCG (rBCG-mV3) designed to express trimeric HIV-1 V3 loop (mV3) in rBCG-mV3-immunized animals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HIV-1 V3-concatamer was cloned into pMV261, a BCG-expression vector, and then rBCG-mV3 was constructed by introducing the recombinant plasmid (pMV-V3). The recombinant BCG was examined with regard to its expression of V3-concatamer and the genetic stability in vivo and in vitro. The immune responses induced by recombinant BCG were tested in immunized mice and guinea pigs. RESULTS: The rBCG-mV3 expressed detectable amounts of V3-concatamer when induced by single heat-shock. The recombinant BCG was genetically stable and maintained the introduced mV3 gene for several weeks. V3-specific antibodies were clearly detected 6 weeks after inoculation. The antibody titer rapidly increased after immunization up to 10 weeks, and then maintained for over 4 weeks. IgG2a was prevalent in the V3-specific antiserum. The recombinant BCG was also effective in inducing delayed-type hypersensitivity responses in the immunized guinea pigs. rBCG-immunized mice retained substantial amounts of V3-specific T cells in the spleen, even 5 months after the first immunization. CONCLUSION: Recombinant BCG-mV3 is very efficient in inducing humoral and long-lasting cell-mediated immunity against HIV-1 V3 in the immunized animals.
AIDS Vaccines/genetics/*immunology ; Animals ; BCG Vaccine/genetics/*immunology ; Female ; Guinea Pigs ; HIV-1/*immunology ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular/genetics/*immunology ; Immunity, Humoral/genetics/*immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/genetics/*immunology

To find out whether the mutations of HIV-1 Env have influence on the assembly of pseudovirus and their abilities to infect cells, site-directed mutation (A457D)was performed using cycling mutagenesis and selection of mutants with DpnI. Transformation and plasmid purification technologies were used to obtain mutated env clone. Then both the prototype and the mutant were co-transfected with pSG3(delta(env)) to 293FT cells, respectively. Single-cycle infection assay was employed to analyze the effect of the prototype and the mutant on the ability of functional pseudovirus assembly. The transient expression of both the prototype S12-42-1 and mutant S12-42M were confirmed by Western blot essay. The S/CO value was less than 1 for S12-42-1 and 6.65 for S12-42M, demonstrating the functional pseudovirus was generated only for S12-42M. So mutation on HIV-1 Env has influence on the assembly of pseudovirus and their abilities to infect cells.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Cell Line ; HIV Infections ; virology ; HIV-1 ; chemistry ; genetics ; physiology ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Sequence Alignment ; Virion ; genetics ; physiology ; Virus Assembly ; env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism

Complete HIV-1 env genes were amplified by nested PCR from uncultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) DNA of 60 HIV-1 positive paid blood donors in Henan province, and the amplified full-length genes were sequenced. Twenty one full-length env genes were obtained, sequence analysis found that 15 of them had intact open reading frame (ORF). Fourteen sequences conformed to subtype B', their average genetic distance with the international reference sequence RL42 was 4.87% +/- 0.31%. One was subtype B, its genetic distance with the international reference sequence HXB2 was 5.43%. The amino acid sequences of these env genes were deduced according to their nucleotide sequences and extensive analysis and comparison of important structural motifs were performed. The results indicated that there was no drastic alteration in the number and position of potential N-linked glycosylation sites among these 15 sequences. And the residues involved in forming the CD4 binding site were highly conserved. Genotype prediction of coreceptor usage based on V3 sequence and net charge suggested that most samples use CCR5 coreceptor. GPGR motif at the tetrapeptide crown in the V3 loop was most common in these samples and it was detected in 40% sequences. The cleavage site of gp120/gp41 was highly conserved, so Gp160 precursor of all isolates would be efficiently cleaved into the Gp120 and Gp41 subunits. The known neutralizing antibody binding sites for 2G12, IgG1b12, 4E10 and 2F5 were also highly conserved, it is expected that most of these isolates will be sensitive to neutralization by these antibodies. Further study to elucidate the correlation of the env genotype to functionally relevant motifs is necessary and that will aid vaccine and novel drug design.
Base Sequence ; Blood Donors ; supply & distribution ; CD4 Antigens ; metabolism ; China ; Clinical Laboratory Techniques ; Conserved Sequence ; HIV Envelope Protein gp120 ; genetics ; HIV-1 ; genetics ; Humans ; Receptors, CCR5 ; chemistry ; genetics ; env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus ; chemistry ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the subtype distribution and the prevalence of sequence characteristics of HIV-1 strains in Beijing residents during 2006 and to analyze the relationship between distribution of HIV-1 subtypes and transmission routines.

METHODSBlood samples from 32 new confirmed HIV-1 infected individuals from Beijing residents in 2006 and separated plasma specimens were collected. RNAs were extracted and the gag and env gene were amplified by RT-PCR and nest-PCR. PCR products were sequenced directly and phylogenetic analyses of gag and env gene were performed using the MEGA2 software.

RESULTSAmong 32 HIV-1 plasma samples, 22 gag and 4 env gene fragments were amplified and analyzed. Five HIV-1 subtypes or circulating recombinant forms(CRFs) of HIV-1 including Thai B (2 strains), B (9 strains), C (2 strains), CRF07_BC (5 strains), CRF01 AE (4 strains) were identified being circulated in Beijing. The gene divergences of gag gene inside the subtypes were 6.6%, 4.3%, 6.8%, 4.9% and 3.0% in subtype B, Thai B, C, CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC respectively. Subtypes B were predominant in Beijing, accounted for 40.9% among 22 samples.

CONCLUSIONFive HIV-1 subtypes were identified in Beijing and the surveillance of HIV-1 gene variation should be paid more attention to.

China ; HIV-1 ; classification ; genetics ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus ; genetics ; gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo understand the relationship between the HIV-1 viral sequence variation and host factors associated with HIV-1 disease progression.

METHODSEnv and gag fragments of HIV-1 were amplified with PCR, cloned and sequenced. Bioinformatics was employed to find the genetic variation, N-linked glycosylation, hypermutation etc. Host gene polymorphism was analysed by using restricted fragment length polymorphism (RFLP).

RESULTSSignificant difference was found in genetic divergence between Env PCR dominant and clonal sequences (0.1 and 0.06, respectively) in non-treated group, but no significant difference was found in the HAART treated group. V3 GPGQ accounted for the most part in both treated and nontreated groups, rare V3 loop such as GPGH, GQGR and GLGR was found in treated group, V3 substitutions of I/V (position 12) and Y/H (position 21) was associated with the relatively rapid progression (RRP). Glycosylation was significantly higher in RRP than in TP for Env region, GA substitution in RRP was also significantly higher than that in TP group. SDF1-3primeA and CCR2 V64I gene frequency was higher in TP than in RRP, but the difference was not significant.

CONCLUSIONDisease progression was associated with V3 AA change, glycosylation and GA substitution in env gene. SDF1-3primeA, CCR2 V64I and CX3CR1 V249I/M280T was not associated with disease progression significantly.

Adult ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Genetic Variation ; Glycosylation ; HIV Infections ; pathology ; virology ; HIV-1 ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Phylogeny ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Receptors, Chemokine ; genetics ; env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus ; genetics ; metabolism ; gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus ; genetics ; metabolism