The HIV/AIDS vaccine candidate MVA-B administered as a single immunogen in humans triggers robust, polyfunctional, and selective effector memory T cell responses to HIV-1 antigens

J Virol. 2011 Nov;85(21):11468-78. doi: 10.1128/JVI.05165-11. Epub 2011 Aug 24.

Abstract

Attenuated poxvirus vectors expressing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) antigens are considered promising HIV/AIDS vaccine candidates. Here, we describe the nature of T cell immune responses induced in healthy volunteers participating in a phase I clinical trial in Spain after intramuscular administration of three doses of the recombinant MVA-B-expressing monomeric gp120 and the fused Gag-Pol-Nef (GPN) polyprotein of clade B. The majority (92.3%) of the volunteers immunized had a positive specific T cell response at any time postvaccination as detected by gamma interferon (IFN-γ) intracellular cytokine staining (ICS) assay. The CD4(+) T cell responses were predominantly Env directed, whereas the CD8(+) T cell responses were similarly distributed against Env, Gag, and GPN. The proportion of responders after two doses of MVA-B was similar to that obtained after the third dose of MVA-B vaccination, and the responses were sustained (84.6% at week 48). Vaccine-induced CD8(+) T cells to HIV-1 antigens after 1 year were polyfunctional and distributed mainly within the effector memory (TEM) and terminally differentiated effector memory (TEMRA) T cell populations. Antivector T cell responses were mostly induced by CD8(+) T cells, highly polyfunctional, and of TEMRA phenotype. These findings demonstrate that the poxvirus MVA-B vaccine candidate given alone is highly immunogenic, inducing broad, polyfunctional, and long-lasting CD4 and CD8 T cell responses to HIV-1 antigens, with preference for TEM. Thus, on the basis of the immune profile of MVA-B in humans, this immunogen can be considered a promising HIV/AIDS vaccine candidate.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase I
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • AIDS Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • AIDS Vaccines / genetics
  • AIDS Vaccines / immunology*
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / prevention & control*
  • Drug Carriers
  • Genetic Vectors
  • HIV Antigens / genetics
  • HIV Antigens / immunology*
  • HIV-1 / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunization, Secondary / methods
  • Immunologic Memory*
  • Injections, Intramuscular
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Spain
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Time Factors
  • Vaccination / methods
  • Vaccinia virus / genetics
  • Vaccinia virus / immunology

Substances

  • AIDS Vaccines
  • Drug Carriers
  • HIV Antigens
  • Interferon-gamma