IN-VITRO P24 ANTIGEN-STIMULATED LYMPHOCYTE-PROLIFERATION AND BETA-CHEMOKINE PRODUCTION IN HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS TYPE-1 (HIV-1)-SEROPOSITIVE SUBJECTS AFTER IMMUNIZATION WITH AN INACTIVATED GP120-DEPLETEDHIV-1 IMMUNOGEN (REMUNE)

We examined the effect of immune stimulation by a human immunodeficien cy virus type 1 (HIV-1) immunogen (Remune) compared to a non-MN vaccin e (influenza) on HIV-l-specific immune responses in HIV-1-seropositive subjects, HIV-1 p24 antigen-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation was n ot augmented after immunization with the influenza vaccine. In contras t, subjects increased their lymphocyte proliferative responses to p24 antigen after one immunization with HIV-1 immunogen (Remune) (gp120-de pleted inactivated HIV-1 ire incomplete Freund's adjuvant), Furthermor e, p24 antigen-stimulated beta-chemokine production (RANTES, MIP-1 alp ha, MIP-1 beta) was also augmented after immunization with the HIV-1 i mmunogen brat not influenza vaccine. Taken together, these results sug gest that in this cohort, HN-specific immune responses to p24 antigen can be augmented after immunization with an HN-I immunogen. The abilit y to upregulate immune responses to the more conserved core proteins m ay have important implications in the development of immunotherapeutic interventions for HIV-1 infection.