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Effect of promoters on cellular immune response induced by recombinant fowlpox virus expressing multi-epitope polypeptides from HIV-1.

HIV stimulates strong immune CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) response in infected people, despite causing an immunodeficiency. It has been demonstrated that this response could be very important for the control of the virus. We have shown previously that a recombinant fowlpox virus (rFWPV), expressing the multi-epitope polypeptide (MEP) from HIV-1 TAB9, induces strong and protective Th1 and CTL responses in Balb/c mice. Here, we have studied the CTL response against MEPs TAB9 and CR3 after immunizing with rFWPVs, where these genes are under the control of a strong synthetic early/late promoter or the 7.5 kDa promoter from vaccinia virus. TAB9 expression was increased by more than 9-fold using the strong promoter, which was translated into a two times increase in CTL response. The overall expression of CR3 was already ten times higher when compared with TAB9 with the 7.5 kDa promoter, but the use of a stronger promoter showed no effect either on the expression or CTL response. Moreover, rFWPV expressing TAB9 induced a stronger CTL response than those expressing CR3, measured as the number of interferon- gamma -secreting splenocytes, in spite of its lower antigen expression levels. These results suggest that the capacity of a stronger promoter to increase the MEP expression and/or CTL response against their epitopes is highly dependent on the nature of the polypeptide used.

Animals↗

Modified-vaccinia-virus-Ankara (MVA) priming and fowlpox-virus booster elicit a stronger CD8+ T-cell response in mice against an HIV-1 epitope than does a DNA/poxvirus prime-booster approach.

A prime-boost strategy combining FWPV (fowlpox virus) and the MVA (modified vaccinia virus Ankara), both expressing HIV-1 multi-V3 epitope polypeptides, was compared with a DNA-based Semliki Forest virus replicon/poxvirus approach for the induction of a CD8(+) T-cell response. Priming mice with recombinant MVA and boosting with recombinant FWPV, and not in the reverse order, increased the number of specific interferon-gamma-secreting cells in relation to the homologous combinations. Moreover, the improvement of the CD8(+) T-cell response with this combination was remarkably higher than that obtained by priming with a DNA vector containing a Semliki Forest virus replicon expressing the multi-epitope polypeptide and boosting either with recombinant MVA or FWPV. These results open a new and attractive alternative for vaccine preparation against HIV-1 using different immunogens.

Animals↗

A vaccination strategy consisting of Semliki-Forest-virus (SFV) DNA prime and fowlpox-virus boost significantly protects mice from a recombinant (HIV-1) vaccinia-virus infection.

The use of DNA vectors based on the SFV (Semliki Forest virus) replicon have not been reported in the modality of DNA prime virus boost. In the present study, SFV DNA vectors (DNA vectors based on the SFV replicon) bearing the HIV-1 TAB9 multiepitopic polypeptide minigene were evaluated as priming DNA immunogens followed by a recombinant fowlpox expressing the TAB9 mutiepitope (FPTAB9LZ) boost. The results indicated that mice primed with pSFV(k)tab9 and boosted with FPTAB9LZ significantly decreased the HIV-1 recombinant (VVTAB13, a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the TAB13 multiepitope) vaccinia virus replication, compared with groups given pSFV(k)tab9 vector and FPTAB9LZ virus alone. Additionally, the viral titre in ovary correlated with the number of specific gamma-interferon-secreting T-cells in spleen. These results support the possible use of SFV DNA vectors in prime-boost approaches implemented in therapeutic/prophylactic treatments for infectious diseases such as HIV-1.

Animals↗

An interferon-gamma-binding protein of novel structure encoded by the fowlpox virus.

Poxviruses have evolved various strategies to counteract the host immune response, one of which is based on the expression of soluble cytokine receptors. Using various biological assays, we detected a chicken interferon-gamma (chIFN-gamma)-neutralizing activity in supernatants of fowlpox virus (FPV)-infected cells that could be destroyed by trypsin treatment. Secreted viral proteins were purified by affinity chromatography using matrix-immobilized chIFN-gamma, followed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) analysis indicated that the viral IFN-gamma-binding protein in question was encoded by the FPV gene 016. The chicken IFN-gamma binding and neutralizing activity of the recombinant FPV016 protein was confirmed using supernatants of cells infected with a recombinant vaccinia virus that lacked its own IFN-gamma-binding protein but instead expressed the FPV016 gene. The FPV016 gene product also neutralized the activity of duck and human IFN-gamma but failed to neutralize the activity of mouse and rat IFN-gamma. Unlike previously known cellular and poxviral IFN-gamma receptors, which all contain fibronectin type III domains, the IFN-gamma-binding protein of FPV contains an immunoglobulin domain. Remarkably, it exhibits no significant homology to any known viral or cellular protein. Because IFN-gamma receptors of birds have not yet been characterized at the molecular level, the possibility remains that FPV016 represents a hijacked chicken gene and that avian and mammalian IFN-gamma receptors have fundamentally different primary structures.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Safety profile of the viral vectors of attenuated fowlpox strain FP9 and modified vaccinia virus Ankara recombinant for either of 2 preerythrocytic malaria antigens, ME-TRAP or the circumsporozoite protein, in children and adults in Kenya.

BACKGROUND: We are developing a heterologous prime-boost vaccine strategy against malaria. This approach uses sequential immunization with different vectors to deliver a common preerythrocytic malaria antigen. Preliminary evidence of efficacy and safety has been previously documented in studies from an area where malaria is nonendemic. Additional safety data from an area where malaria is endemic are now required before larger-scale studies are undertaken to determine the efficacy of this vaccine strategy in the field. Other modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) recombinants and prime-boost immunizations are being developed as vaccines against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, tuberculosis, and cancer, and MVA is a candidate attenuated smallpox vaccine. METHODS: Candidate vaccines against malaria were intradermally administered to 73 adults (7 of whom were HIV positive) and 22 children in Kenya. These vaccines used the attenuated fowlpox strain FP9 and the MVA recombinant for either of 2 preerythrocytic malaria antigens, multiple preerythrocytic-stage epitopes joined with the preerythrocytic-stage antigen TRAP (ME-TRAP) and the circumsporozoite protein (CS). Adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: Reactogenicity was mild. MVA caused less frequent and less severe cutaneous reaction if given after FP9 priming. Half doses reduced the frequency and the severity of systemic reactogenicity, and particular vaccine lots were associated with different reactogenicities. Unexpectedly, prior immunity to the ME-TRAP antigen appeared to be protective against local reactions after immunization. CONCLUSIONS: Where the final intention is to use MVA after FP9 priming, previous testing of MVA alone overestimates reactogenicity. These recombinant vectors appear to be safe and suitable for use in larger-scale studies of children in Africa and of HIV-positive individuals.

AIDS Vaccines↗

Induction of a strong HIV-specific CD8+ T cell response in mice using a fowlpox virus vector expressing an HIV-1 multi-CTL-epitope polypeptide.

Recombinant avipoxvirus vectors are attractive candidates for use in vaccination strategies for infections such as human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), where induction of a CD8+ T cell response is thought to be an important component of protective immunity. Here, we report the expression of a multiepitope polypeptide (TAB9) composed of the central 15 amino acids of the V3 loop from six different isolates of HIV-1 in a fowlpox virus (FWPV) vector, and the use of this vector (FPTAB9LZ) to induce strong HIV-specific CD8+ T cell responses in mice. In animals immunized twice intravenously with FPTAB9LZ, almost 2% of the CD8+ T cells in the spleen were shown to produce IFN-gamma in response to stimulation with HIV-1 peptides 1 week after the second immunization. The most dominant response was to the HIV-1 IIIB peptide. A strong HIV-specific response was also induced by intraperitoneal immunization of mice with FPTAB9LZ, whilst subcutaneous immunization elicited a weaker response. Intraperitoneal immunization with FPTAB9LZ was also shown to provide protection against challenge with a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing antigens, including those in TAB9. These results confirm the potential of FWPV vectors for use in HIV vaccination strategies.

Animals↗

Formation of lentivirus particles by mammalian cells infected with recombinant fowlpox virus.

Recombinant fowlpox viruses (FPV) containing the env or gag-pol genes of simian immunodeficiency virus from macaques (SIVmac) were constructed. The env, gag, and pol-encoded polypeptides were efficiently expressed and processed in avian cells productively infected with FPV as well as in mammalian cells, in which FPV infection is abortive. In addition, the recombinant FPV expressing the gag-pol genes directed the formation of defective, lentivirus-like particles which were released into the culture medium of infected cells. Coinfection of cells with the env and gag-pol recombinant viruses resulted in the generation of particles containing SIVmac envelope glycoprotein. The applications of this system to vaccine development are discussed.

Animals↗

Comparison of whole gene and whole virus scrambled antigen approaches for DNA prime and fowlpox virus boost HIV type 1 vaccine regimens in macaques.

T cell immunity plays a critical role in controlling HIV-1 viremia, and encoding a limited set of HIV-1 genes within DNA and poxvirus vectors can, when used sequentially, induce high levels of T cell immunity in primates. However, a limited breadth of T cell immunity exposes the host to potential infection with either genetically diverse HIV-1 strains or T cell escape variants of HIV-1. In an attempt to induce maximally broad immunity, we examined DNA and recombinant fowlpox virus (rFPV) vaccines encoding all HIV-1 genes derived from a global HIV-1 consensus sequence, but expressed as multiple overlapping scrambled 30-amino acid segments (scrambled antigen vaccines, or SAVINEs). Three groups of seven pigtail macaques were immunized with sets of DNA and rFPV expressing Gag/Pol antigens only, the whole genome SAVINE antigens, or no HIV-1 antigens and T cell immunity was monitored by ELISpot and intracellular cytokine staining. High levels of cross-subtype HIV-specific T cell immunity to Gag were consistently induced in the seven macaques primed with DNA and rFPV vaccines expressing Gag/Pol as intact proteins. It was, however, difficult to repeatedly boost immunity with further rFPV immunizations, presumably reflecting high levels of anti- FPV immunity. Unfortunately, this vaccine study did not consistently achieve a broadened level of T cell immunity to multiple HIV genes utilizing the novel whole-virus SAVINE approach, with only one of seven immunized animals generating broad T cell immunity to multiple HIV-1 proteins. Further refinements are planned with alternative vector strategies to evaluate the potential of the SAVINE technology.

AIDS Vaccines↗

A randomized, placebo-controlled phase I trial of DNA prime, recombinant fowlpox virus boost prophylactic vaccine for HIV-1.

An HIV-vaccine consisting of a DNA prime, recombinant fowlpox virus (rFPV) boost was evaluated in a double-blind placebo controlled trial. One milligram of pHIS-HIV-B expressing mutated gag, pol, env, vpu, tat and rev was administered at weeks 0 and 4 boosted by 5 x 10(7) pfu rFPV-HIV-B expressing gag/pol at week 8. The vaccine regimen was safe, but there was no difference between vaccine (n = 18) and placebo recipients (n = 6) for Gag or Pol-specific T-cell immune responses at week 9.

AIDS Vaccines↗

Identification and cloning of the fowlpox virus thymidine kinase gene using vaccinia virus.

Using vaccinia virus as a selection and cloning vehicle, a thymidine kinase (TK) gene of fowlpox virus (FPV) has been identified. A plasmid, pF130, containing part of the HindIII-F region of vaccinia virus was used to shotgun clone EcoRI fragments of FPV DNA into TK- vaccinia virus and select for TK+ recombinants. The TK+ recombinant vaccinia virus contained a 5.5 kb EcoRI fragment of FPV. This FPV fragment was cloned into pUC9 and the presence of the TK gene in this fragment was confirmed by its ability to rescue TK+ vaccinia virus from TK- virus, when inserted into pF130. A recombinant vaccinia virus containing this FPV fragment induced TK enzyme activity in the cytoplasm of infected cells. The vaccinia virus RNA polymerase appeared able to recognize the FPV promoter sequences of the FPV TK gene since the fragment operated in the marker rescue, irrespective of its orientation to the vaccinia virus promoter in pF130. Using restriction enzyme analysis, insertion of subfragments of the 5.5 kb FPV fragment into pF130 and marker rescue, we were able to map the position of the TK gene in the 5.5 kb EcoRI fragment. This approach may facilitate identification and cloning of TK genes from other poxviruses.

Cloning, Molecular↗

Sequence analysis of an 11.2 kilobase, near-terminal, BamHI fragment of fowlpox virus.

The nucleotide sequence of an 11.2 kilobase fragment of the fowlpox virus genome is presented. The fragment comes from near one end of the genome and contains part of the terminal inverted repeat. Twenty open reading frames (ORFs) are predicted from the sequence and are classified into 13 major and seven minor ORFs. The 100 base pairs immediately upstream of each ORF are up to 83% AT-rich, with some motifs similar to those seen in vaccinia virus early gene promoters. The TTTTTNT element which has been identified as a termination signal for vaccinia virus early genes is also found downstream of several ORFs. Three ORFs are predicted to specify polypeptides with significant homology to proteins coded by genes near termini of orthopoxvirus genomes: the vaccinia virus 42K early gene and 32.5K host range gene, and the cowpox virus 38K red pock gene. In addition, there are two families of ORFs within the fragment which potentially encode related polypeptides. One of these, family B, contains three ORFs which are related to those of chicken and rat hepatic lectins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Tandem repeated sequences within the terminal region of the fowlpox virus genome.

A 6.2 kb BamHI terminal fragment from fowlpox virus has been cloned and the nucleotide sequence was determined. The fragment was cloned by S1 digestion of viral DNA and therefore does not contain the covalently closed terminal loop. The cloned sequences comprise a short (230 bp) unique region at the terminal end, which is adjacent to a 3.87 bp long, AT-rich region consisting of sets of short tandemly repeated units, 32 and 56 bp long. The remainder of the fragment is composed of a 2.18 kb unique region containing three major open reading frames. The amino acid sequence encoded by one of these has some similarity to that of platelet-derived growth factor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Nucleotide sequence analysis of a 10.5 kbp HindIII fragment of fowlpox virus: relatedness to the central portion of the vaccinia virus HindIII D region.

The nucleotide sequence of a 10465 bp HindIII genomic fragment from fowlpox virus (FPV) is presented. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence revealed 10 potential major open reading frames (ORFs). Five of these ORFs are predicted to encode polypeptides with significant homology to hypothetical polypeptides derived from nucleotide sequence analysis of the vaccinia virus (VV) HindIII D region. Interestingly, these homologous ORFs do not occur in the same tandem arrangement in the FPV genome as they do in the VV genome. These results are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structural analysis of unstable intermediate and stable forms of recombinant fowlpox virus.

The stability and structure of the products of recombination in a fowlpox virus (FPV) system using the thymidine kinase (TK) gene as the insertion site were examined. A 4.6 kb chimeric DNA fragment from the pUV1 expression vector, containing the bacterial lacZ gene and the vaccinia virus P7.5 promoter, was ligated into the XbaI site of the FPV TK gene. The resulting vector, pFTKlacZb, was transfected into chicken embryo fibroblast cultures infected with FPV at an m.o.i. of 0.1. Recombinants were screened for the expression of beta-galactosidase. Five recombinants were isolated and plaque-purified to 80 to 90% for expression of beta-glucosidase. Serial cell culture passage of the recombinants led to the gradual reappearance of the non-recombinant parental phenotype. Southern hybridization analysis of EcoRI fragments from all five recombinants indicated that a single cross-over homologous recombination had occurred between either the 5' or the 3' end fragments of the TK gene, generating unstable intermediate recombinants incorporating the entire pFTKlacZb vector. Secondary intermolecular or intramolecular recombination of intergenic repetitive sequences within the intermediate recombinants appears to have resulted in frequent regeneration of the parental genotype and an infrequent generation of more stable recombinants. A method was developed to select stable recombinants by passage of the intermediate recombinants in chicken embryo fibroblast cultures treated with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine.

Animals↗

Insertional inactivation of a fowlpox virus homologue of the vaccinia virus F12L gene inhibits the release of enveloped virions.

Insertion of the Escherichia coli lacZ gene into a ClaI restriction enzyme site of a 5.7 kb HindIII fragment of the fowlpox virus (FPV) genome resulted in the generation of stable recombinants. These recombinants produced plaques that were significantly smaller than those produced by parental FPV or by FPV recombinants containing the lacZ gene at other non-essential sites. Insertion of foreign DNA into the ClaI site disrupts a previously unidentified open reading frame (ORF) which potentially encodes a 74K polypeptide. The predicted amino acid sequence of this FPV ORF has 24% identity with the F12L ORF of vaccinia virus, the function of which is not currently known. Production of intracellular FPV was similar in cells infected with recombinant or parental viruses, but the number of infectious extracellular virions released into the medium by the recombinant was about 20% of that released by the parental virus. Likewise, the release of FPV particles, which were labelled in vivo with [3H]thymidine, was significantly lower in recombinant FPV-infected cells. These results suggest that the FPV homologue of the vaccinia virus F12L ORF is involved in the envelopment or release of infectious extracellular virions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Deletion of fowlpox virus homologues of vaccinia virus genes between the 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (A44L) and DNA ligase (A50R) genes.

A fragment of 4156 bp of fowlpox virus (FPV) genomic DNA contains homologues of vaccinia virus 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta 5-delta 4 isomerase (3 beta-HSD; A44L) and DNA ligase (A50R) genes. The FPV locus has clearly been rearranged relative to that of vaccinia virus as homologues of genes A45R to A49R, including the thymidylate kinase and a gene with homology to superoxide dismutase, are deleted. The deleted genes are replaced by two open reading frames: for a serine proteinase inhibitor with homology to vaccinia virus gene K2L and for a protein with no significant homology to proteins in the databases. In addition, the FPV homologues of A44L and A50R are in the same polarity in FPV whereas they are in opposite polarities in vaccinia virus. Increased 3 beta-HSD activity has been demonstrated in cells infected with either of two different strains of FPV or with canarypox virus.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

Partial transcriptional mapping of the fowlpox virus genome and analysis of the EcoRI L fragment.

Several fowlpox virus (FPV) DNA fragments were selected by differential hybridization using cDNA of transcripts that were strongly transcribed early and/or later after infection of QT-35 cells. The EcoRI L fragment contained three strongly transcribed FPV genes: L1L, a late 1452 bp partial (amino end) ORF; L2R, an early/late 522 bp ORF; and L3R, a late 948 bp ORF. The protein products of L1L, L2R and L3R shared homology with the products of vaccinia virus (VV) genes H4L (RAP94), H5R (Ag35) and H6R (topoisomerase), respectively, suggesting a conservation of gene structure and order between VV and FPV. The 5' upstream non-coding sequences of L1L and L3R were A + T rich and the sequence 5' TAAATG 3' overlapped the predicted translation start codon. Primer extension analysis of the L2R transcript mapped the transcriptional start sites of early and late mRNAs 14 nt downstream of a VV early promoter-like critical region sequence, AAAATTGAA-AAAAAAA. A VV-like TAAAT late transcriptional element was present 20 nt upstream of the L2R ATG translational start codon. A plasmid with the putative early L2R promoter cloned upstream of the Newcastle disease virus haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) cDNA as a reporter gene was at least 6-fold more effective in generating HN MRNa than plasmids containing the P7.5 or P11 VV promoters in transient expression assays in FPV-infected CEF cells treated with cytosine arabinoside. The L2R promoter was also able to express an amount of HN mRNA equal to that expressed by the VV promoters late in infection.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Utilizing fowlpox virus recombinants to generate defective RNAs of the coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus.

Coronavirus defective RNAs (D-RNAs) have been used as RNA vectors for the expression of heterologous genes and as vehicles for reverse genetics by modifying coronavirus genomes by targetted recombination. D-RNAs based on the avian coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) D-RNA CD-61 have been rescued (replicated and packaged into virions) in a helper virus-dependent manner following electroporation of in vitro-generated T7 transcripts into IBV-infected cells. In order to increase the efficiency of rescue of IBV D-RNAs, cDNAs based on CD-61, under the control of a T7 promoter, were integrated into the fowlpox virus (FPV) genome. The 3'-UTR of the D-RNAs was flanked by a hepatitis delta antigenomic ribozyme and T7 terminator sequence to generate suitable 3' ends for rescue by helper IBV. Cells were co-infected simultaneously with IBV, the recombinant FPV (rFPV) containing the D-RNA sequence and a second rFPV expressing T7 RNA polymerase for the initial expression of the D-RNA transcript, subsequently rescued by helper IBV. Rescue of rFPV-derived CD-61 occurred earlier and with higher efficiency than demonstrated previously for electroporation of in vitro T7-generated RNA transcripts in avian cells. Rescue of CD-61 was also demonstrated for the first time in mammalian cells. The rescue of rFPV-derived CD-61 by M41 helper IBV resulted in leader switching, in which the Beaudette-type leader sequence on CD-61 was replaced with the M41 leader sequence, confirming that helper IBV virus replicated the rFPV-derived D-RNA. An rFPV-derived D-RNA containing the luciferase gene under the control of an IBV transcription-associated sequence was also rescued and expressed luciferase on serial passage.

Animals↗