Adjuvant Effects of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Flagellin on the Immunological Patterns of the Hiv-1 Vaccine Candidate: Vaccine Formulations Versus Different Routes of Immunization Publisher Pubmed



Rezaei A¹ ; Shahabi G¹ ; Faezi S^{2, 3} ; Shafiee Ardestani M⁴ ; Shirzad H¹ ; Azadmanesh K⁵ ; Mirzajani E⁶ ; Shajiei A⁵ ; Mahdavi M^{7, 8, 9, 10}
Source: Viral Immunology Published:2022

Abstract

New strategies to increase the immune response to HIV-1 vaccine using immunological adjuvants such as Toll-like receptor agonists are needed. In this study, HIV-1 p24-Nef and conjugated form of the vaccine candidate to type-A flagellin (FLA) were injected in the BALB/c mice in different routes. Two weeks after the last immunization, lymphocyte proliferation was measured by the BrdU method. The IL-4 and IFN-γlevels, as well as the total IgG antibody and its isotypes titer, were evaluated by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The IFN-γELISPOT was also performed. Our data showed that the HIV-1 p24-Nef alone and conjugated to type-A flagellin (FLA) significantly increased lymphocyte proliferation responses as well as higher levels of cytokines and IFN-γproducing lymphocytes and the level of humoral immune responses compared with the control groups. The cell-mediated immune responses through the subcutaneous route and humoral immune responses through the intramuscular route were significantly higher in the conjugated form than in the mere vaccine candidate. In conclusion, when the FLA as an adjuvant is constructed in the HIV-1 vaccine candidate, it could effectively improve both humoral and cellular immune responses. Furthermore, modification in the vaccine formulation could change the optimal route of vaccine inoculation. Copyright © 2022 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.