Systemic and mucosal immunity is elicited after both intramuscular and intravaginal delivery of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 DNA plasmid vaccines to pregnant chimpanzees

DNA vaccines encoding human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) env/rev a nd gag/pol were delivered intravaginally (IVAG) and intramuscularly (IM) to 2 pregnant chimpanzees. Vaccination was well tolerated and each chimpanzee developed antibodies (up to 1 year later) to both vaccines, Placental tran sfer of anti-Env and anti-Gag IgG was demonstrated in both maternal/infant pairs. Specific IgG was also demonstrated in saliva, vaginal, and rectal wa shes after IVAG immunization. Predominantly anti-HIV-1 IgA was detected in the milk of both mothers after both IM and IVAG immunization. Cellular resp onses included Gag-specific proliferation of lymphocytes and cytotoxic T ly mphocytes against both antigens, These data suggest a strategy for inductio n of mucosal and systemic responses after both IM and IVAG delivery of DNA vaccines in a primate model and could ultimately be useful in lowering mate rnal-to-fetal transmission of HIV-1, perinatally and through breastfeeding.