Effect of the V3 loop deletion of envelope glycoprotein on cellular responses and protection against challenge with recombinant vaccinia virus expressing gp160 of primary human immunodeficiency virus type 1 isolates.

The magnitude and breadth of cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses induced by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope protein from which the hypervariable V3 loop had been deleted (DeltaV3) were evaluated in the HLA-A2/K(b) transgenic mice. It was demonstrated that vaccines expressing the DeltaV3 mutant of either HIV-1(IIIB) or HIV-1(89.6) envelope glycoprotein induced broader CD8(+) T-cell activities than those elicited by the wild-type (WT) counterparts.

Immunization strategies to augment oral vaccination with DNA and viral vectors expressing HIV envelope glycoprotein.

Induction of mucosal immunity to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) envelope (env; gp160) glycoprotein has been demonstrated with orally administered recombinant vaccinia virus (rVV) vectors and poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG)-encapsulated plasmid DNA expressing gp160. In this study, we investigated the effect of an oral DNA-prime/rVV-boost vaccine regimen in conjunction with adjuvants on the level of gp160-specific cellular and humoral responses in BALB/c mice. We demonstrated that DNA priming followed by a booster with rVV expressing gp160 (vPE16) significantly augmented env-specific immunity in systemic and mucosal tissues of the immunized mice.

Desmosomes are reduced in the mouse uterine luminal epithelium during the preimplantation period of pregnancy: a mechanism for facilitation of implantation.

Dynamic regulation of intercellular junctions is an essential aspect of many developmental, reproductive, and physiological processes. We have shown that expression of the desmosomal protein desmoplakin decreases in the luminal uterine epithelium during the preimplantation period of pregnancy in mice. By the time of implantation (between Days 4.

Oral DNA vaccination promotes mucosal and systemic immune responses to HIV envelope glycoprotein.

In this report, we described induction of HIV envelope (env)-specific systemic and mucosal immune responses by oral vaccination of BALB/c mice with env-encoded plasmid DNA encapsulated in poly(dl-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) microparticles. We demonstrated that intragastric administration of the encapsulated plasmid DNA resulted in transduced expression of the env glycoprotein in the intestinal epithelium. Mice immunized orally exhibited env-specific type 1 and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses in spleen and the inductive (Peyer's patches) and effector (lamina propria) mucosal tissues of gut.