THE MAGINOT LINE AND AIDS VACCINES

Despite extensive and costly efforts, attempts to develop a vaccine ag ainst human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the causative agent of the a cquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), have been unsuccessful. Usin g the Maginot Line as a metaphor, we discuss the reasons why an antibo dy-based vaccine strategy against HIV has failed. The concept of a vac cine that exclusively promotes cell-mediated immunity against the viru s is outlined, and important factors in the formulation of this novel vaccine are delineated. In particular, vaccine adjuvants and HIV pepti des that elicit a cell-mediated immune response are crucial components of this immunization strategy. Examination of primate immune systems that resist retroviral pathogenicity will also play an important role in the development of a successful AIDS vaccine.