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Biomedical subjects

G B Patel

Publications and source records attributed to G B Patel.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

HIV type 1 vaccine-induced T cell memory and cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in HIV type 1-uninfected volunteers.

T cell memory to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) antigens and anti-HIV-1 cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity were assessed after administration of live canarypox virus (ALVAC) expressing HIV-1 env, gag, and protease (vCP205) vaccine given alone, vCP205 given with SF-2 recombinant gp120 (rgp120) vaccine, and placebos at 0, 1, 3, and 6 months. Healthy, HIV-1-uninfected subjects reporting high-risk and low-risk behavior for HIV-1 were enrolled. Anti-HIV-1 Env CD8(+) CTLs (HIV-1(MN) and/or HIV-1 subtype B and C primary isolate sequences) were detected in 12 (60%) and anti-HIV-1 Gag CD8(+) CTLs in 7 (35%) of the 20 vCP205 vaccine recipients tested by CTL assay 3.5 months after the final immunization. Fourteen days after the fourth immunization, lymphocyte proliferation in response to HIV-1 Gag antigen was detected in 14 (48%) of 29 vCP205 vaccine recipients, but secreted cytokine levels to HIV-1 Gag antigen were not above unstimulated levels. Coadministration of SF-2 rgp120 vaccine with vCP205 vaccine enhanced lymphocyte proliferation in response to HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein and broadened the envelope-stimulated cytokine secretion pattern, so that it consisted of both Th1 and Th2 cytokines compared with only interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) after vCP205 vaccine given alone. There was a possible association between HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein-stimulated interleukin 2 secretion and CD8(+) CTLs against HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein, and an inverse relation between lymphocyte proliferation and CTLs against HIV-1 Gag antigens. Thus, a durable anti-HIV-1 CD8(+) CTL response was detected after immunization with the live canarypox virus vaccine and preexisting helper T cell memory responses did not necessarily predict later CD8(+) CTL activity.

AIDS Vaccines↗

Immunization of mice with lipopeptide antigens encapsulated in novel liposomes prepared from the polar lipids of various Archaeobacteria elicits rapid and prolonged specific protective immunity against infection with the facultative intracellular pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes.

Protective immunity to intracellular bacterial pathogens usually requires the participation of specific CD8+ T cells. Natural exposure of the host to sublethal infection, or vaccination with attenuated live vaccines are the most effective means of eliciting prolonged protective cell-mediated immunity against this class of pathogens. The ability to replace these immunization strategies with defined sub-unit vaccines would represent a major advance for clinical vaccinology. The present study examines the ability of novel liposomes, termed archaeosomes, made from the polar lipids of various Archaeobacteria to act as self-adjuvanting vaccine delivery vehicles for such defined acellular antigens. Using infection of mice with Listeria monocytogenes as a model system, this study clearly demonstrates the ability of defined, archaeosome-entrapped antigens to elicit rapid and prolonged specific immunity against a prototypical intracellular pathogen. In this regard, all of the tested archaeosomes were superior to conventional liposomes.

Animals↗

Cytokine responses to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) induced by immunization with live recombinant canarypox virus vaccine expressing HIV-1 genes boosted by HIV-1(SF-2) recombinant GP120.

Vaccine-induced T-cell memory for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) was assessed by measuring HIV-1 antigen-stimulated cytokine secretion in 72 HIV-1-uninfected subjects, of whom 52 received live recombinant canarypox virus vaccine expressing HIV-1 env, gag, and protease gene products (vCP205) with or without HIV-1(SF-2) recombinant gp120 (SF-2 rgp120) subunit vaccine, and 20 the control. The vCP205 vaccine induced secretion of the Th1 cytokine, interferon-gamma, by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) after in vitro stimulation with HIV-1 p24 and envelope glycoprotein. Immunization schedules with both vCP205 and SF-2 rgp120 subunit vaccines induced secretion of Th1 and Th2 cytokines by PBMC to HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein. Hence, vCP205 and SF-2 rgp120 subunit vaccines given together and in a prime-boost sequence appeared to induce a broader cytokine response pattern than vCP205 vaccine given alone.

AIDS Vaccines↗

The potent adjuvant activity of archaeosomes correlates to the recruitment and activation of macrophages and dendritic cells in vivo.

The unique glycerolipids of Archaea can be formulated into vesicles (archaeosomes) with potent adjuvant activity. We studied the effect of archaeosomes on APCs to elucidate the mechanism(s) of adjuvant action. Exposure of J774A.1 macrophages to archaeosomes in vitro resulted in up-regulation of B7.1, B7.2, and MHC class II molecules to an extent comparable to that achieved with LPS. Similarly, incubation of bone marrow-derived DCs with archaeosomes resulted in enhanced expression of MHC class II and B7.2 molecules. In contrast, conventional liposomes made from ester phospholipids failed to modulate the expression of these activation markers. APCs treated with archaeosomes exhibited increased TNF production and functional ability to stimulate allogenic T cell proliferation. More interestingly, archaeosomes enhanced APC recruitment and activation in vivo. Intraperitoneal injection of archaeosomes into mice led to recruitment of Mac1alpha(+), F4/80(+) and CD11c(+) cells. The expression of MHC class II on the surface of peritoneal cells was also enhanced. Furthermore, peritoneal cells from archaeosome-injected mice strongly enhanced allo-T cell proliferation and cytokine production. The ability of archaeosome-treated APCs to stimulate T cells was restricted to Mac1alpha(high), B220(-) cells in the peritoneum. These Mac1alpha(high) cells in the presence of GM-CSF gave rise to both F4/80(+) (macrophage) and CD11c(+) (dendritic) populations. Overall, the activation of APCs correlated to the ability of archaeosomes to induce strong humoral, T helper, and CTL responses to entrapped Ag. Thus, the recruitment and activation of professional APCs by archaeosomes constitutes an efficient self-adjuvanting process for induction of Ag-specific responses to encapsulated Ags.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Archaeosomes induce long-term CD8+ cytotoxic T cell response to entrapped soluble protein by the exogenous cytosolic pathway, in the absence of CD4+ T cell help.

The unique ether glycerolipids of Archaea can be formulated into vesicles (archaeosomes) with strong adjuvant activity for MHC class II presentation. Herein, we assess the ability of archaeosomes to facilitate MHC class I presentation of entrapped protein Ag. Immunization of mice with OVA entrapped in archaeosomes resulted in a potent Ag-specific CD8(+) T cell response, as measured by IFN-gamma production and cytolytic activity toward the immunodominant CTL epitope OVA(257-264). In contrast, administration of OVA with aluminum hydroxide or entrapped in conventional ester-phospholipid liposomes failed to evoke significant CTL response. The archaeosome-mediated CD8(+) T cell response was primarily perforin dependent because CTL activity was undetectable in perforin-deficient mice. Interestingly, a long-term CTL response was generated with a low Ag dose even in CD4(+) T cell deficient mice, indicating that the archaeosomes could mediate a potent T helper cell-independent CD8(+) T cell response. Macrophages incubated in vitro with OVA archaeosomes strongly stimulated cytokine production by OVA-specific CD8(+) T cells, indicating that archaeosomes efficiently delivered entrapped protein for MHC class I presentation. This processing of Ag was Brefeldin A sensitive, suggesting that the peptides were transported through the endoplasmic reticulum and presented by the cytosolic MHC class I pathway. Finally, archaeosomes induced a potent memory CTL response to OVA even 154 days after immunization. This correlated to strong Ag-specific up-regulation of CD44 on splenic CD8(+) T cells. Thus, delivery of proteins in self-adjuvanting archaeosomes represents a novel strategy for targeting exogenous Ags to the MHC class I pathway for induction of CTL response.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

In vitro assessment of archaeosome stability for developing oral delivery systems.

The in vitro stability of archaeosomes made from the total polar lipids of Methanosarcina mazei, Methanobacterium espanolae or Thermoplasma acidophilum, was evaluated under conditions encountered in the human gastrointestinal tract. At acidic pH, multilamellar vesicles (MLV) prepared from T. acidophilum lipids were the most stable, releasing approximately 80, 20, 10 and 5% of encapsulated 14C-sucrose at pH 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 6.2, respectively, after 90 min at 37 degrees C. Archaeosomes from M. mazei lipids were the least stable. For each type of total polar lipid, unilamellar vesicles (ULV) were less stable than the corresponding MLV vesicles. Pancreatic lipase had relatively minor effect on the stability of archaeosomes made from either of the three types of total polar lipids, causing the release of 12-27% of the encapsulated 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (CF) from ULV and MLV after 90 min at 37 degrees C. In simulated human bile at pH 6.2, MLV from M. mazei total polar lipids lost 100% of the encapsulated CF after 90 min at 37 degrees C, whereas those from the polar lipids of M. espanolae or T. acidophilum lost approximately 85% of the marker. Pancreatic lipase and simulated human bile had no synergistic effect on the release of carboxyfluorescein from ULV or MLV prepared from any of the total polar lipids. After 90 min in the combined presence of these two stressors at pH 6.2, the leakage of fluorescein conjugated bovine serum albumin from MLV prepared from T. acidophilum lipids was similar to that of CF, and 13% of the initially present vesicles appeared to be intact. These results indicate that archaeosomes show stability properties indicative of potential advantages in developing applications as an oral delivery system.

Administration, Oral↗

Archaeosome vaccine adjuvants induce strong humoral, cell-mediated, and memory responses: comparison to conventional liposomes and alum.

Ether glycerolipids extracted from various archaeobacteria were formulated into liposomes (archaeosomes) possessing strong adjuvant properties. Mice of varying genetic backgrounds, immunized by different parenteral routes with bovine serum albumin (BSA) entrapped in archaeosomes ( approximately 200-nm vesicles), demonstrated markedly enhanced serum anti-BSA antibody titers. These titers were often comparable to those achieved with Freund's adjuvant and considerably more than those with alum or conventional liposomes (phosphatidylcholine-phosphatidylglycerol-cholesterol, 1. 8:0.2:1.5 molar ratio). Furthermore, antigen-specific immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1), IgG2a, and IgG2b isotype antibodies were all induced. Association of BSA with the lipid vesicles was required for induction of a strong response, and >80% of the protein was internalized within most archaeosome types, suggesting efficient release of antigen in vivo. Encapsulation of ovalbumin and hen egg lysozyme within archaeosomes showed similar immune responses. Antigen-archaeosome immunizations also induced a strong cell-mediated immune response: antigen-dependent proliferation and substantial production of cytokines gamma interferon (Th1) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) (Th2) by spleen cells in vitro. In contrast, conventional liposomes induced little cell-mediated immunity, whereas alum stimulated only an IL-4 response. In contrast to alum and Freund's adjuvant, archaeosomes composed of Thermoplasma acidophilum lipids evoked a dramatic memory antibody response to the encapsulated protein (at approximately 300 days) after only two initial immunizations (days 0 and 14). This correlated with increased antigen-specific cell cycling of CD4(+) T cells: increase in synthetic (S) and mitotic (G(2)/M) and decrease in resting (G(1)) phases. Thus, archaeosomes may be potent vaccine carriers capable of facilitating strong primary and memory humoral, and cell-mediated immune responses to the entrapped antigen.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Influence of coenzyme Q10 on tissue distribution of archaeosomes, and pegylated archaeosomes, administered to mice by oral and intravenous routes.

The biodistribution of orally and intravenously administered archaeosomes in mice was compared to that of archaeosomes containing either coenzyme Q10 (archaeosome-CoQ10), polyethylene glycol (archaeosome-PEG), or PEG plus CoQ10 (archaeosome-PEG-CoQ10). The archaeosome formulations were prepared by a reverse-phase evaporation method using the total polar lipids from the archaeobacterium Methanosarcina mazei. In the case of oral gavage, the most striking observation was that a significantly (p < 0.05) higher concentration (42.28+/-4.17%) of administered dose was found in the stomach content 3 h after administration of unmodified archaeosomes, as compared to that of archaeosome-CoQ10 (16.98+/-2.48%) and archaeosome-PEG-CoQ10 (5.8 +/-4.05"/ vesicles. This correlated with an increased uptake, notably of the archaeosome-PEG-CoQ 0 vesicles.,into liver and spleen; however, no more than 7% of the administered dose was found in liver, spleen and blood at any time point studied. In the case of intravenous administration, a significantly higher percentage of injected dose of unmodified archaeosomes was found in the liver (66.4 +/-.92%) and spleen (11.445+/-.68%) at 48 h, compared to archaeosome-CoQ10, archaeosome-PEG, and archaeosome-PEG-CoQ10 vesicles. The combination of PEG and CoQ10 significantly prolonged the circulation of archaeosomes in the blood, but after 48 h the amount of the vesicle marker in blood had declined to only about 0.5% of administered dose. These data indicate that the biodistribution of archaeosome formulations given orally or intravenously can be altered significantly by incorporating PEG or CoQ 10, alone or in combination, and these vesicles have the potential to act as a carrier for therapeutics and vaccines.

Administration, Oral↗

Vaccine-induced cytotoxic T lymphocytes against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 using two complementary in vitro stimulation strategies.

CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) induced by candidate HIV-1 vaccines may be a mechanism of immune protection against HIV-1 infection. We measured in vitro inducible CD8+ and CD4+ CTL using two in vitro effector cell stimulation strategies. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) for CTL assay were obtained after the third and/or fourth immunization timepoints from 23 healthy, uninfected adult volunteers, of whom 19 received a canarypox virus vaccine expressing HIV-1 env, gag, pol, nef and protease gene products (vCP300) with or without injections of HIV-1(SF-2) rgp120 subunit vaccine and four subjects received only control injections. CD8+ CTL activity was detected employing the two in vitro stimulation strategies against one or more HIV-1 antigens in 15 (79%) of 19 HIV-1 vaccine recipients on at least one occasion and repeatedly against the same antigen in 8 (42%). Canarypox virus-based HIV-1 vaccines represent a step forward in HIV-1 vaccine development.

AIDS Vaccines↗

A structural comparison of the total polar lipids from the human archaea Methanobrevibacter smithii and Methanosphaera stadtmanae and its relevance to the adjuvant activities of their liposomes.

Mice were immunized with bovine serum albumin (BSA) entrapped within archaeosomes (i.e. liposomes) composed of the total polar lipids (TPL) from the two methanogenic archaea common to the human digestive tract. Methanobrevibacter smithii archaeosomes boosted serum anti-BSA antibody to titers comparable to those achieved with Freund's adjuvant, whereas Methanosphaera stadtmanae archaeosomes were relatively poor adjuvants. An explanation for this difference was sought by analysis of the polar lipid composition of each archaeobacterium. Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry and NMR analyses of the purified lipids revealed a remarkable similarity in the ether lipid structures present in each TPL extract. However, the relative amounts of each lipid species varied dramatically. The phospholipid fraction in M. stadtmanae TPL was dominated by archaetidylinositol (50 mol% of TPL) and the glycolipid fraction by beta-Glcp-(1,6)-beta-Glcp-(1,1)-archaeol (36 mol%), whereas in M. smithii extracts, both caldarchaeol and archaeol lipids containing a phosphoserine head group were relatively abundant. Liposomes prepared from purified archaetidylinositol and from M. stadtmanae TPL supplemented with increasing amounts of phosphatidylserine elicited poor humoral responses to encapsulated BSA. A dramatic loss in the adjuvanticity of M. smithii archaeosomes was seen upon incorporation of 36 mol% of the uncharged lipid diglucosyl archaeol and, to a lesser extent, of 50 mol% of archaetidylinositol. Interestingly, the relative rates of uptake of M. smithii and M. stadtmanae archaeosomes by phagocytic cultures in vitro were similar. Thus, the lipid composition may influence archaeosome adjuvanticity, particularly a high diglucosyl archaeol and/or archaetidyl inositol content, resulting in a low adjuvant activity.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

MN and IIIB recombinant glycoprotein 120 vaccine-induced binding antibodies to native envelope glycoprotein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 primary isolates. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease Aids Vaccine Evaluation Group.

The ability of antibody induced by MN and IIIB recombinant gp120 (rgp120) human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) vaccines to bind to oligomeric native HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins of primary isolates of HIV-1 was measured by flow cytometric indirect immunofluorescence assay (FIFA) in 25 uninfected, healthy adults. After three immunizations, MN rgp120 HIV-1 vaccine given alone and coadministered with IIIB rgp120 HIV-1 vaccine elicited antibody that bound to cells infected with each of a panel of six subtype B strains of HIV-1. Lower levels of vaccine-induced binding antibody were detected against envelope subtype A, D, and (EA) strains of HIV-1 than against subtype B strains. Priming immunization with IIIB rgp120 HIV-1 vaccine alone induced low levels of antibody capable of binding to envelope glycoprotein of primary isolate strains of HIV-1, and booster immunizations with MN rgp120 HIV-1 vaccine resulted in much higher antibody levels. We conclude that MN rgp120 HIV-1 vaccine was an effective inducer of antibody to native envelope glycoproteins of antigenically diverse primary isolates of HIV-1.

AIDS Vaccines↗

HIV-1MN recombinant glycoprotein 160 vaccine-induced cellular and humoral immunity boosted by HIV-1MN recombinant glycoprotein 120 vaccine. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases AIDS Vaccine Evaluation Group.

We evaluated prime-boost immunization with two recombinant envelope glycoprotein subunit vaccines (HIV-1MN recombinant gp160 vaccine in alum adjuvant [MN rgp160] and HIV-1MN recombinant gp120 vaccine in alum adjuvant [MN rgp120]) for safety and immunogenicity in healthy, HIV-1-uninfected adults. The rationale was to combine the helper T cell memory and binding antibody responses typically induced by rgp160 vaccines with the superior neutralizing antibody responses induced by rgp120 vaccines. In a double-blinded, controlled trial, volunteers were randomly assigned to receive MN rgp160 or adjuvant placebo, and a subset later received MN rgp120. The two vaccines were safe, but reactions to MN rgp160 and its adjuvant placebo exceeded those to MN rgp120. MN rgp160 induced IgG binding antibodies, including all IgG subclasses, to MN rgp160 in all vaccine recipients. HIV-1MN-neutralizing and anti-V3 MN peptide-binding antibodies were observed in a majority of volunteers after the fourth MN rgp160 immunization, but at lower levels compared with immunization with MN rgp120 in historical controls. HIV-1-binding, neutralizing, and fusion inhibition antibodies were boosted to the highest levels among MN rgp160 recipients after MN rgp120 booster injections. MN rgp120 boosting appeared to alter the distribution of MN rgp160 vaccine-induced, anti-MN rgp160 IgG subclass antibodies. MN rgp160 induced helper T cell memory, measured by lymphocyte proliferation, Thl and Th2 cytokine production, and skin testing. Strategies including both subunit vaccines may help maximize antibody and helper T cell memory responses to HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein.

AIDS Vaccines↗

Archaeobacterial ether lipid liposomes (archaeosomes) as novel vaccine and drug delivery systems.

Liposomes are artificial, spherical, closed vesicles consisting of one or more lipid bilayer(s). Liposomes made from ester phospholipids have been studied extensively over the last 3 decades as artificial membrane models. Considerable interest has been generated for applications of liposomes in medicine, including their use as diagnostic reagents, as carrier vehicles in vaccine formulations, or as delivery systems for drugs, genes, or cancer imaging agents. The objective of this article is to review the properties and potential applications of novel liposomes made from the membrane lipids of Archaeobacteria (Archaea). These lipids are unique and distinct from those encountered in Eukarya and Bacteria. Polar glycerolipids make up the bulk of the membrane lipids, with the remaining neutral lipids being primarily squalenes and other hydrocarbons. The polar lipids consist of regularly branched, and usually fully saturated, phytanyl chains of 20, 25, or 40 carbon length, with the 20 and 40 being most common. The phytanyl chains are attached via ether bonds to the sn-2,3 carbons of the glycerol backbone(s). It has been shown only recently that total polar lipids of archaeobacteria, and purified lipid fractions therefrom, can form liposomes. We refer to liposomes made with any lipid composition that includes ether lipids characteristic of Archaeobacteria as archaeosomes to distinguish them from vesicles made from the conventional lipids obtained from eukaryotic or eubacterial sources or their synthetic analogs. In general, archaeosomes demonstrate relatively higher stabilities to oxidative stress, high temperature, alkaline pH, action of phospholipases, bile salts, and serum proteins. Some archaeosome formulations can be sterilized by autoclaving, without problems such as fusion or aggregation of the vesicles. The uptake of archaeosomes by phagocytic cells can be up to 50-fold greater than that of conventional liposome formulations. Studies in mice have indicated that systemic administration of several test antigens entrapped within certain archaeosome compositions give humoral immune responses that are comparable to those obtained with the potent but toxic Freund's adjuvant. Archaeosome compositions can be selected to give a prolonged, sustained immune response, and the generation of a memory response. Tissue distribution studies of archaeosomes administered via various systemic and peroral routes indicate potential for targeting to specific organs. All in vitro and in vivo studies performed to date indicate that archaeosomes are safe and do not invoke any noticeable toxicity in mice. The stability, tissue distribution profiles, and adjuvant activity of archaeosome formulations indicate that they may offer a superior alternative to the use of conventional liposomes, at least for some biotechnology applications.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Coenzyme Q10 in vesicles composed of archaeal ether lipids or conventional lipids enhances the immuno-adjuvanticity to encapsulated protein.

Cellular accumulation, tissue distribution, and immuno-adjuvanticity were evaluated for liposomal CoQ10 prepared from either distearoylphosphatidylcholine:dicetylphosphate:cholesterol (4:1:5, mol. ratio) (conventional liposomes) or from the total polar lipids of the archaeon Methanosarcina mazei (archaeosomes). Liposomal CoQ10 vesicles of approximately 100 nm diameter, containing up to 179 mumol of CoQ10 per mg of lipid have been evaluated using J774A.1 macrophages and Balb/c mice. Archaeosomes uptake by J774A.1 macrophages was better than with the conventional liposome, and the incorporation of CoQ10 enhanced the uptake of both lipid vesicle types. All vesicle types were detected in the liver and spleen of mice (4-27% of injected dose) within 3 h of intraperitoneal injection. Moreover, incorporation of CoQ10 into lipid vesicles enhanced the immuno-adjuvanticity of both conventional liposomes and archaeosomes, to achieve approximately a doubling in the titres of BSA-specific antibody in sera to 169 and 430 micrograms ml-1, respectively. Increases in IgG1 and IgG2a/2b accounted for most of the CoQ10-induced increases in anti-BSA titres. These results are rationalized on the basis of surface hydrophobicity and opsonization changes induced by the presence of CoQ10 in vesicles. We suggest that liposomal CoQ10 has potential as a new generation of vaccine delivery system to enhance the immune response. Its use as a novel delivery system may be particularly effective under pathological conditions where the occurrence of an oxidative stress condition significantly impairs the immune system functions.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Archaeosomes as novel antigen delivery systems.

The humoral immune response mounted in BALB/c mice against bovine serum albumin or cholera toxin B subunit was compared when the antigens were associated with liposomes composed of either archaeal ether lipids or conventional lipids. Antibody titres in sera from mice immunised intraperitoneally were elevated to an extent comparable to those achieved with Freund's adjuvant by encapsulating bovine serum albumin in archaeal lipid vesicles (archaeosomes) of about 200 nm diameter. Comparison among six archaeosome and three conventional liposome compositions established that archaeosomes were generally much superior in potentiating an immune response. Further, only two immunisations, at the most, were needed to achieve close to the maximum antibody titre, as shown with archaeosomes composed of the polar lipids from Methanobrevibacter smithii, an inhabitant of the human colon. A similar positive response to presenting the more immunogenic cholera B subunit protein to the immune system of mice was shown for M. smithii archaeosomes. Encapsulation of the antigen in the archaeosome was necessary to achieve the full humoral response. This represents the first study to our knowledge where archaeosomes have been evaluated in vivo as possible antigen carriers.

Animals↗

Identification of beta-L-gulose as the sugar moiety of the main polar lipid Thermoplasma acidophilum.

The main polar lipid (MPL) of Thermoplasma acidophilum has been purified and its structure determined. NMR, mass spectrometry, and capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry experiments have shown that the previously unidentified sugar moiety of MPL is the rare sugar L-gulose. MPL is thus a tetraether lipid with cyclopentane rings and head groups of phosphoglycerol, as previously reported, and beta-L-gulopyranose. Further, MPL is also the dominant lipid found in lipid extracts from another species of the Thermoplasma genus, T. volcanium, suggesting that L-gulose may represent a dominant sugar moiety of the polar lipids biosynthesized by this archaeobacterial genus. Minor phospholipids were tentatively identified as diether and hydroxydiether analogs of phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylinositol.

Glycolipids↗

Antibody to native human immunodeficiency virus type 1 envelope glycoproteins induced by IIIB and MN recombinant gp120 vaccines. The NIAID AIDS Vaccine Evaluation Group.

The ability of antibody induced by MN and IIIB recombinant gp120 (rgp120) human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) vaccines the bind to oligomeric native and monomeric recombinant HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins (rgp 120) was measured in 25 uninfected, healthy adult volunteers. A major focus was to evaluate the effect of simultaneous and sequential immunization with vaccines representing different strains of HIV-1 on the ability to broaden cross-reactivity of antibodies against these and other HIV-1 strains. A flow cytometric indirect immunofluorescence assay (FIFA) to detect vaccine-induced antibody to envelope glycoprotein expressed by infected and rgp120-coated target cells was used, MN rgp120 HIV-1 vaccine given alone and coadministered with IIIB rgp120 HIV-1 vaccine elicited antibody which bound to cells infected with HIV-1MN, HIV-IIIB, HIV-1RF, and HIV-1-SF2. The presence of envelope glycoprotein-binding antibody detected by FIFA correlated to a moderate degree with functional antibody against HIV-1MN and HIV-IIIB. Priming immunization with IIIB rgp120 HIV-1 vaccine followed by booster injections of MN rgp120 HIV-1 vaccine resulted in increased cross-reactive antibody binding to these and heterologous clade B HIV-1 strains infecting cells. MN rgp120 HIV-1 vaccine given alone was better able to induce cross-reactive antibody to cells infected with heterologous HIV-1 laboratory strains than was IIIB rgp120 HIV-1 vaccine given alone. The vaccines induced binding antibody to rgp120 possessing the amino acid sequence of a clade E HIV-1 strain as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Levels of antibody binding to cells infected with clade B HIV-1 and cells coated with monomeric rgp120 were greater than that induced by HIV-1IIIB-based gp160 vaccines in previous studies.

AIDS Vaccines↗

Recombinant gp160 vaccination schedule and MHC HLA type as factors influencing cellular responses to HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein. NIAID AIDS Vaccine Clinical Trials Network.

This study assessed (1) T-cell responses following vaccination of HIV-1 negative volunteers with HIV-1LAI recombinant gp160 (rgp160) vaccine, and (2) effects of vaccine injection schedule and MHC HLA type on those responses. In one trial, volunteers received rgp160 in two accelerated schedules (Groups 1 and 2). In the other trial, volunteers received rgp160 vaccine at 0, 1, 6, and 12 months and some received vaccine at 18 months (Groups 3 and 4). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from vaccinees in Groups 3 and 4 were stimulated by more peptides representing envelope glycoprotein T-cell epitopes than Groups 1 and 2 (p = 0.01). Transient anti-envelope glycoprotein CTL activity was more frequently detectable in Groups 1 and 2 (p = 0.03). MHC HLA-Cw7, DR1 and DQw1 alleles appeared to be associated with PBMC responses to envelope glycoprotein.

AIDS Vaccines↗