Induction of Gag-specific T-cell responses by therapeutic immunization with a Gag-expressing Sendai virus vector in macaques chronically infected with simian-human immunodeficiency virus.

Recent prophylactic vaccine trials inducing virus-specific CD8+ T-cell responses have shown control of primary infections of a pathogenic simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) in macaques. In the chronic phase, therapeutic immunization replenishing virus-specific CD8+ T-cells is likely to contribute to sustained control of virus replication. In this study, we have administered a recombinant Sendai virus (SeV) vector into five rhesus macaques that had received prophylactic vaccinations and had controlled SHIV replication for more than 1 year after challenge. Our results indicate that virus-specific CD8+ T-cell responses can be expanded and broadened by therapeutic immunization with SeV vectors in the chronic phase after prophylactic vaccine-based control of primary immunodeficiency virus infections.