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HIV-1 Env vaccine comprised of electroporated DNA and protein co-administered with Talabostat.

Cristillo AD, Galmin L, Restrepo S, Hudacik L, Suschak J, Lewis B, Draghia-Akli R, Aziz N, Weiss D, Markham P, Pal R

Advanced BioScience Laboratories, Inc., 5510 Nicholson Lane, Kensington, MD 20895, USA.

Selection of potent yet low reactogenic adjuvants for protein immunization is important for HIV-1 vaccine development. Immunogenicity of electroporated DNA (HIV env) and recombinant gp120, administered with either QS-21 or the orally administered immunomodulator, Talabostat, was evaluated in BALB/c mice. Electroporation of low dose DNA elicited Th1 cytokines and anti-envelope antibodies. Immunization with gp120 protein alone with or without Talabostat elicited lower Th1 and Th2 cytokine levels but comparable anti-gp120 antibodies to QS-21-formulated protein. Boosting of DNA-primed mice with gp120/Talabostat induced similar anti-gp120 antibody titers and slightly higher levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokines relative to QS-21-formulated protein. Induction of CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells and functional CTL activity was noted. These results highlight the potential use of orally administered Talabostat for efficient protein boosting of antibody and T-cell responses primed by DNA.

Published 15 April 2008 in Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 370(1): 22-6.
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