DNA vaccination in mice using HIV-1 nef, rev and tat genes in self-replicating pBN-vector

The immunogenicity of a self-replicating DNA-vector containing HIV-1 nef ge ne (pBN-Nef) was characterized using various DNA delivery methods. In addit ion, gene gun immunisation was used for assessing immunogenicity of two oth er HIV-1 genes (rev and tat) given in the same vector. The pBN-Nef was the most immunogenic raising both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in mice; these responses lasted for up to six months. The pBN-Nef vector was immunogenic also when given intramuscularly or intradermally. The pBN-Rev c onstruct did not elicit humoral responses but did elicit proliferative as w ell as CTL-response against the corresponding protein. The pBN-Tat was a po ur immunogen in all respects. The antibodies elicited with various DNA deli very methods belonged to different antibody subclasses; however, two main e pitopes in Nef were frequently recognized by all of them. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.