[Production and evaluation of immunologic characteristics of mzNLA-3, a non-infectious HIV-1 clone with a large deletion in the pol sequence]

Mol Biol (Mosk). 2013 Mar-Apr;47(2):258-66. doi: 10.7868/s002689841302002x.
[Article in Russian]

Abstract

Inactivation ofintegrase and reverse transcriptase can revoke the replication of HIV virions, and non-infectious HIV particles are desirable virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine candidates. Here, we produced inactive in replication HIV-1 particles fit for vaccine and virological purposes by introducing a mutation into the pol sequence. Proviral DNA (pNLA-3) was cut at two points in the pol region using the Bal I restriction enzyme and then religated. HEK 293T cells were transfected with the resultant plasmid (pmzNL4-3) to produce mutated virions. To confirm a production of VLPs and evaluate their biological activity the p24 load and syncytium formation (MT2 cells) were analyzed. The assay indicated that mzNL4-3 virions were assembled and contained functional envelope glycoproteins (ENV). In addition, mzNL4-3 virions were not able to infect MT2 and HEK 293T cells. Furthermore, the immunogenicity of VLPs was investigated in a mouse model. According to the data on vaccinated mice, the titer of ENV-specific antibodies rose rapidly after a boosting injection. Moreover, lymphoid cells extracted from these mice proliferated after exposure to the antigen. The mzNL4-3 virus particles possessed immunogenic antigens of HIV and can effectively trigger humoral and CD4 immune responses. Non-infectious mzNL4-3 virions may also be used in biomedical experiments to improve the biological safety conditions. Moreover, the mzNL4-3 seems to be a promising candidate for further HIV-1 vaccine investigations.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • AIDS Vaccines / genetics
  • AIDS Vaccines / immunology
  • Animals
  • HEK293 Cells
  • HIV Infections / physiopathology
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV-1 / genetics*
  • HIV-1 / immunology
  • HIV-1 / pathogenicity
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Sequence Deletion*
  • Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle / genetics
  • Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle / immunology*
  • Virion / genetics
  • Virus Replication / genetics
  • env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / genetics
  • pol Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / genetics*

Substances

  • AIDS Vaccines
  • Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle
  • env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
  • pol Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus