IMMUNIZATION OF NONHUMAN-PRIMATES WITH DNA VACCINES

The pre-clinical efficacy of DNA vaccines has been demonstrated in a n umber of animal models, but more limited data exist regarding their im munogenicity in non-human primates. The studies described below demons trate that DNA vaccines in reasonable dosages encoding a variety of vi ral proteins could result in the generation of antibodies, neutralizin g antibodies, or cytotoxic T lymphocytes in primates. Furthermore, the se responses could be boosted by repeat administration of the DNA vacc ine. In an effort to assess the safety of such vaccines sera from prim ates was shown to lack anti-DNA antibodies. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.