Vaccination Against Heterologous R5 Clade C SHIV: Prevention of Infection and Correlates of Protection
Author Information
Author(s): Lakhashe Samir K., Wang Wendy, Siddappa Nagadenahalli B., Hemashettar Girish, Polacino Patricia, Hu Shiu-Lok, Villinger François, Else James G., Novembre Francis J., Yoon John K., Lee Sandra J., Montefiori David C., Ruprecht Ruth M., Rasmussen Robert A.
Primary Institution: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Hypothesis
Can vaccination induce protective immune responses against heterologous R5 clade C SHIV in rhesus macaques?
Conclusion
The vaccine strategy provided 50% complete or partial protection against SHIV infection in rhesus macaques.
Supporting Evidence
- 94% of control monkeys became infected after low-dose challenges, while one third of vaccinees remained virus-free.
- Vaccinees showed significantly lower peak viremia compared to controls.
- Cellular and humoral immune responses were correlated with protection.
Takeaway
Researchers gave a vaccine to monkeys to see if it could protect them from a virus similar to HIV, and it worked for half of them.
Methodology
Rhesus macaques were vaccinated with recombinant SIV and HIV proteins and then challenged with SHIV to assess protection.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in the selection of challenge viruses and the interpretation of immune responses.
Limitations
The study was conducted in a non-human primate model, which may not fully replicate human responses.
Participant Demographics
Rhesus macaques, specific genetic backgrounds not detailed.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.045
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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