DNA vaccine compositions with HIV/SIV gene modifications

摘要

The present invention is directed to a DNA vaccine for immunization against HIV. The invention comprises a DNA molecule that has a sequence encoding a plurality of viral proteins capable of stimulating an immune response against HIV. The DNA molecule is rendered safe for use as a vaccine by the disruption of genes encoding reverse transcriptase, integrase, and Vif. The DNA molecule is further rendered safe by at least a partial deletion of the 3′ LTR.

主权项

1. A DNA composition comprising: a promoter sequence operably linked to a coding sequence, wherein the coding sequence encodes a gag gene of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), a pro gene of HIV, a vpx gene of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV), a vpr gene of SIV, a vpu gene of HIV, a nef gene of HIV, a tat gene of HIV, an env gene of HIV, and a rev gene of HIV, with the coding sequence operably linked to a polyadenylation sequence, wherein the coding sequence encodes at least one non-functional gene, wherein the DNA composition does not include functional reverse transcriptase (rt), integrase (int), and viral infectivity factor (vif) genes, and wherein the DNA composition is capable of stimulating an immune response in a recipient subject.