A multigene HIV type 1 subtype C modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vaccine efficiently boosts immune responses to a DNA vaccine in mice.

Heterologous prime-boost vaccine strategies have generated high frequencies of antigen-specific T cells in preclinical and clinical trials of candidate HIV vaccines. We have developed a DNA (SAAVI DNA-C) and MVA (SAAVI MVA-C) vaccine based on HIV-1 subtype C for testing in clinical trials. Both vaccines contain five subtype C genes: gag, reverse transcriptase, tat, and nef, expressed as a polyprotein, and a truncated env (gp150).

Construction, characterization, and immunogenicity of a multigene modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vaccine based on HIV type 1 subtype C.

Candidate vaccines composed of a DNA construct to prime the immune system, followed by modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) containing matching genes as a booster vaccination, have produced encouraging immune responses in human volunteers. This study presents the detailed construction and characterization of a recombinant MVA that will be tested in combination with a DNA vaccine in Phase I clinical trials in South Africa and the United States. To match recently transmitted viruses in the southern African region and to maximize epitope coverage, the vaccines were constructed to contain five HIV-1 subtype C genes, namely gag, reverse transcriptase, tat, and nef (grttn), expressed as a polyprotein, and a truncated env (gp150).