Comparison of the Efficacy of HIV-1 Nef-Tat-Gp160-p24 Polyepitope Vaccine Candidate with Nef Protein in Different Immunization Strategies

Objectives: One of the promising strategies for effective HIV-1 vaccine design involves finding the polyepitope immunogens using T cell epitopes. Methods: Herein, an HIV-1 polyepitope construct (i.e., Nef-Tat-Gp160-P24) comprising of several epitopes from Nef, Tat, Gp160, and P24 proteins was designed. To improve its immunogenicity in BALB/c mice, cell-penetrating peptides (HR9 and MPG for DNA delivery, and LDP-NLS and CyLoP-1 for protein transfer), Montanide adjuvant, and heterologous DNA prime/polypeptide boost strategy were used. To compare the immunogenicity, Nef was utilized as a vaccine candidate. The levels of total IgG and its subclasses, cytokines, and Granzyme B were assessed using ELISA. Results: Immunological studies showed that heterologous prime-boost regimens for both antigens could considerably augment the levels of IgG2a, IgG2b, IFN-gamma, and Granzyme B directed toward Th1 and CTL immune responses in comparison with homologous prime-boost strategies. The levels of IFN-gamma, IL-10, total IgG, IgG1, and IgG2b were drastically higher in groups immunized with Nef-Tat-Gp160-P24 in heterologous prime-boost regimens than those in groups immunized with Nef. Conclusion: The use of the Nef-Tat-Gp160-P24 polyepitope immunogen in heterologous prime boost strategy could generate the mixture of Th1 and Th2 responses directed further toward Th1 response as a hopeful method for improvement of HIV-1 vaccine.