Baboon as a nonhuman primate model for vaccine studies

Age-associated alterations in immune and inflammatory responses in captive olive baboons (Papio anubis)

Introduction

Advanced age is a primary risk factor for many chronic diseases and conditions; however, age-related immune dysregulation is not well understood. Animal models, particularly those that resemble human age-related physiological changes, are needed to better understand immunosenescence and to improve health outcomes. Here, we explore the utility of the olive baboon (Papio anubis) in studying age-related changes to the immune system and understanding mechanisms of immunosenescence.

Methods

We examined immune cell, inflammatory responses, cytokines, and cortisol levels using hematology and flow cytometry, mitogen stimulation, multiplex cytokine assay, and cortisol immunoassay.

Results and Discussion

Our results reveal significant age effects on numerous immune and inflammatory responses. For instance, adult and aged monkeys exhibited significantly fewer monocytes than young monkeys. After stimulation with Con A and PWM (separately), we found that old baboons had higher INFγ expression compared to young baboons. Similarly, after stimulation with LPS and PWM (separately), we found that old baboons had higher TNFα expression compared to young baboons. These findings suggest that the olive baboon is a suitable model for biogerontology research, immune senescence, and development of vaccines. Though there are phenotypic and functional similarities between baboons and humans, specific differences exist in immune cell expression and immune function of lymphocytes that should be considered for better experimental outcomes in the development of therapeutics and restoring innate and adaptive immune function in aged individuals.

Global and local ancestry estimation in a captive baboon colony

The last couple of decades have highlighted the importance of studying hybridization, particularly among primate species, as it allows us to better understand our own evolutionary trajectory. Here, we report on genetic ancestry estimates using dense, full genome data from 881 olive (Papio anubus), yellow (Papio cynocephalus), or olive-yellow crossed captive baboons from the Southwest National Primate Research Center. We calculated global and local ancestry information, imputed low coverage genomes (n = 830) to improve marker quality, and updated the genetic resources of baboons available to assist future studies. We found evidence of historical admixture in some putatively purebred animals and identified errors within the Southwest National Primate Research Center pedigree. We also compared the outputs between two different phasing and imputation pipelines along with two different global ancestry estimation software. There was good agreement between the global ancestry estimation software, with R2 > 0.88, while evidence of phase switch errors increased depending on what phasing and imputation pipeline was used. We also generated updated genetic maps and created a concise set of ancestry informative markers (n = 1,747) to accurately obtain global ancestry estimates.

Utilizing non-human primate models to combat recent COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 and viral infectious disease outbreaks

In recent times, global viral outbreaks and diseases, such as COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2), Zika (ZIKV), monkeypox (MPOX), Ebola (EBOV), and Marburg (MARV), have been extensively documented. Swiftly deciphering the mechanisms underlying disease pathogenesis and devising vaccines or therapeutic interventions to curtail these outbreaks stand as paramount imperatives. Amidst these endeavors, animal models emerge as pivotal tools. Among these models, non-human primates (NHPs) hold a position of particular importance. Their proximity in evolutionary lineage and physiological resemblances to humans render them a primary model for comprehending human viral infections. This review encapsulates the pivotal role of various NHP species-such as rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis), african green monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus/aethiops), pigtailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina/Macaca leonina), baboons (Papio hamadryas/Papio anubis), and common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)-in investigations pertaining to the abovementioned viral outbreaks. These NHP models play a pivotal role in illuminating key aspects of disease dynamics, facilitating the development of effective countermeasures, and contributing significantly to our overall understanding of viral pathogenesis.

Dystrophin-Glycoprotein Complex Behavior in Sternocleidomastoid Muscle of High- and Low-Ranking Baboons: A Possible Phylogenetic Arrangement

The dystrophin-glycoprotein complex is a multimeric system made up of the sarcoglycan sub-complex, the sarcomplasmatic complex and the dystroglycans complex. The sarcoglycan sub-complex stabilizes the sarcolemma during muscle activity and plays a role in force transduction. This protein system is also expressed in the muscle of non-human primates such as chimpanzees and baboons, and its expression changes depending on social ranking. In fact, previous data have shown that all muscle fibers of masseter and sternocleidomastoid muscles of chimpanzees and high- ranking baboons always express sarcoglycans, while middle- and low-ranking baboons are characterized by fibers that are negative for the sarcoglycan sub-complex. Given this information, the aim of the present work was to evaluate the expression of other proteins such as laminin, beta dystroglycan and dystrophin in the sternocleidomastoid muscle of high- and low-ranking baboons. The samples were processed by immunohistochemistry; results show that in high-ranking baboons, all tested proteins were always expressed while in low-ranking baboons, fibers that were negative for sarcoglycans and beta dystroglycan have been observed. No negative fibers for laminin and dystrophin have been found in low-ranking baboons suggesting that only the transmembrane proteins of the dystrophin glycoprotein complex change in their expression and that could be correlated to a phylogenetic arrangement.

Comparison of the immunogenicity & protective efficacy of various SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates in non-human primates

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES

The COVID-19 pandemic has emerged as a global public health crisis and research groups worldwide are engaged in developing vaccine candidates to curb its transmission, with a few vaccines having progressed to advanced stages of clinical trials. The aim of this systematic review was to compare immunogenicity and protective efficacy of various SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates tested in non-human primate (NHP) models.

METHODS

Literature on effect of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in NHP models reported on PubMed and preprint platforms (medRxiv and bioRxiv) till October 22, 2020, was searched with the following terms: coronavirus vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine, SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, nonhuman primate, and rhesus macaque.

RESULTS

Our search yielded 19 studies, which reported immune response elicited by 18 vaccine candidates in NHP. All the vaccines induced detectable neutralizing antibody (NAb) titres in the serum of vaccinated animals, with some showing effective viral clearance from various organs. The vaccinated animals also showed nil to mild histopathological changes in their lungs compared to placebo groups in the trials that performed necropsy.

INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlighted onset of quick immunogenicity and protective efficacy of mRNA-1273, followed by Ad26.CoV2.S, NVX-CoV2373, BNT162b2, RBD and BBV152 vaccine candidates in preclinical trials as compared to the others. NHP data also showed correlation with clinical trial data available for a few vaccines. Preclinical trials of COVID-19 vaccine candidates in NHPs yielded promising results, with some candidates faring better than others.

DNA nanoparticles are safe and nontoxic in non-human primate eyes

INTRODUCTION

DNA nanoparticles (NPs) comprising polylysine conjugated to polyethylene glycol efficiently target murine photoreceptors and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and lead to long-term phenotypic improvement in models of retinal degeneration. Advancing this technology requires testing in a large animal model, particularly with regard to safety. So, herein we evaluate NPs in non-human primates (baboon).

METHODS AND RESULTS

NPs with plasmids carrying GFP and a ubiquitous, RPE-specific, or photoreceptor-specific promoter were delivered by either subretinal or intravitreal injection. We detected GFP message and protein in the retina/RPE from eyes dosed with NPs carrying ubiquitously expressed and RPE-specific vectors, and GFP message in eyes injected with NPs carrying photoreceptor-specific vectors. Importantly, we observed NP DNA in the retina/RPE following intravitreal injection, indicating the inner limiting membrane does not prevent NP diffusion into the outer retina. We did not observe any adverse events in any baboon, and there were no NP-associated changes in retinal function. Furthermore, no systemic or local inflammatory reaction to the vectors/injections was observed, and no NP DNA was found outside the eye.

CONCLUSION

Taken together with the well-established rodent safety and efficacy data, these findings suggest that DNA NPs may be a safe and potentially clinically viable nonviral ocular therapy platform for retinal diseases.

Optimization of culture conditions for the derivation and propagation of baboon (Papio anubis) induced pluripotent stem cells

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer the possibility of cell replacement therapies using patient-matched cells to treat otherwise intractable diseases and debilitations. To successfully realize this potential, several factors must be optimized including i) selection of the appropriate cell type and numbers to transplant, ii) determination of the means of transplantation and the location into which the transplanted cells should be delivered, and iii) demonstration of the safety and efficacy of the cell replacement protocol to mitigate each targeted disease state. A majority of diseases or debilitations likely to be targeted by cell-based therapeutic approaches represent complex conditions or physiologies manifest predominantly in primates including humans. Nonhuman primates afford the most clinically relevant model system for biomedical studies and testing of cell-based therapies. Baboons have 92% genomic similarity with humans overall and especially significant similarities in their immunogenetic system, rendering this species a particularly valuable model for testing procedures involving cell transplants into living individuals. To maximize the utility of the baboon model, standardized protocols must be developed for the derivation of induced pluripotent stem cells from living adults and the long-term maintenance of these cells in culture. Here we tested four commercially available culture systems (ReproFF, mTeSR1, E8 and Pluristem) for competence to maintain baboon iPSCs in a pluripotent state over multiple passages, and to support the derivation of new lines of baboon iPSCs. Of these four media only Pluristem was able to maintain baboon pluripotency as assessed by morphological characteristics, immunocytochemistry and RT-qPCR. Pluristem also facilitated the derivation of new lines of iPSCs from adult baboon somatic cells, which had previously not been accomplished. We derived multiple iPS cell lines from adult baboon peripheral blood mononuclear cells cultured in Pluristem. These were validated by expression of the pluripotency markers OCT4, NANOG, SOX2, SSEA4 and TRA181, as well as the ability to differentiate into tissues from all three germ layers when injected into immunocompromised mice. These findings further advance the utility of the baboon as an ideal preclinical model system for optimizing iPS cell-based, patient-specific replacement therapies in humans.

Differentiation and Characterization of Dopaminergic Neurons From Baboon Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

: The progressive death of dopamine producing neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta is the principal cause of symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). Stem cells have potential therapeutic use in replacing these cells and restoring function. To facilitate development of this approach, we sought to establish a preclinical model based on a large nonhuman primate for testing the efficacy and safety of stem cell-based transplantation. To this end, we differentiated baboon fibroblast-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (biPSCs) into dopaminergic neurons with the application of specific morphogens and growth factors. We confirmed that biPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons resemble those found in the human midbrain based on cell type-specific expression of dopamine markers TH and GIRK2. Using the reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction, we also showed that biPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons express PAX6, FOXA2, LMX1A, NURR1, and TH genes characteristic of this cell type in vivo. We used perforated patch-clamp electrophysiology to demonstrate that biPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons fired spontaneous rhythmic action potentials and high-frequency action potentials with spike frequency adaption upon injection of depolarizing current. Finally, we showed that biPSC-derived neurons released catecholamines in response to electrical stimulation. These results demonstrate the utility of the baboon model for testing and optimizing the efficacy and safety of stem cell-based therapeutic approaches for the treatment of PD.

SIGNIFICANCE

Functional dopamine neurons were produced from baboon induced pluripotent stem cells, and their properties were compared to baboon midbrain cells in vivo. The baboon has advantages as a clinically relevant model in which to optimize the efficacy and safety of stem cell-based therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease. Baboons possess crucial neuroanatomical and immunological similarities to humans, and baboon pluripotent stem cells can be differentiated into functional neurons that mimic those in the human brain, thus laying the foundation for the utility of the baboon model for evaluating stem cell therapies.

Viral Specific Factors Contribute to Clinical Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease Severity Differences in Infants

Background

There is a wide range of severity of respiratory syncytial viral (RSV) disease in previously healthy infants. Host factors have been well demonstrated to contribute to disease severity differences. However the possibility of disease severity differences being produced by factors intrinsic to the virus itself has rarely been studied.

Methods

Low-passage isolates of RSV collected prospectively from infants with different degrees of RSV disease severity were evaluated in vitro, holding host factors constant, so as to assess whether isolates induced phenotypically different cytokine/chemokine concentrations in a human lung epithelial cell line. Sixty-seven RSV isolates from previously healthy infants (38 hospitalized for acute RSV infection (severe disease) and 29 never requiring hospitalization (mild disease)) were inoculated into A549, lung epithelial cells at precisely controlled, low multiplicity of infection to mimic natural infection. Cultures were evaluated at 48 hours, 60 hours, and 72 hours to evaluate area under the curve (AUC) cytokine/chemokine induction.

Results

Cells infected with isolates from severely ill infants produced higher mean concentrations of all cytokine/chemokines tested (IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8 and RANTES) at all-time points tested. RSV isolates collected from infants with severe disease induced significantly higher AUCIL-8 and AUCRANTES secretion in infected cultures than mild disease isolates (p=0.028 and p=0.019 respectively). IL-8 and RANTES concentrations were 4 times higher at 48 hours for these severely ill infant isolates. Additionally, 38 isolates were evaluated at all-time points for quantity of virus. RSV concentration significantly correlated with both IL-8 and RANTES at all-time points. Neither cytokine/chemokine concentrations nor RSV concentrations were associated with RSV subgroup.

Discussion

Infants’ RSV disease severity differences may be due in part to intrinsic viral strain-specific characteristics.

Sarcoglycan complex in masseter and sternocleidomastoid muscles of baboons: an immunohistochemical study

The sarcoglycan complex consists of a group of single-pass transmembrane glycoproteins that are essential to maintain the integrity of muscle membranes. Any mutation in each sarcoglycan gene causes a series of recessive autosomal dystrophin-positive muscular dystrophies. Negative fibres for sarcoglycans have never been found in healthy humans and animals. In this study, we have investigated whether the social ranking has an influence on the expression of sarcoglycans in the skeletal muscles of healthy baboons. Biopsies of masseter and sternocleidomastoid muscles were processed for confocal immunohistochemical detection of sarcoglycans. Our findings showed that baboons from different social rankings exhibited different sarcoglycan expression profiles. While in dominant baboons almost all muscles were stained for sarcoglycans, only 55% of muscle fibres showed a significant staining. This different expression pattern is likely to be due to the living conditions of these primates. Sarcoglycans which play a key role in muscle activity by controlling contractile forces may influence the phenotype of muscle fibres, thus determining an adaptation to functional conditions. We hypothesize that this intraspecies variation reflects an epigenetic modification of the muscular protein network that allows baboons to adapt progressively to a different social status.

Animal models for ebolavirus countermeasures discovery: what defines a useful model?

INTRODUCTION

Ebolaviruses are highly pathogenic filoviruses, which cause disease in humans and nonhuman primates (NHP) in Africa. The Zaire ebolavirus outbreak in 2014, which continues to greatly affect Western Africa and other countries to which the hemorrhagic fever was exported due to travel of unsymptomatic yet infected individuals, was complicated by the lack of available licensed vaccines or therapeutics to combat infection. After almost a year of research at an increased pace to find and test vaccines and therapeutics, there is now a deeper understanding of the available disease models for ebolavirus infection. Demonstration of vaccine or therapeutic efficacy in NHP models of ebolavirus infection is crucial to the development and eventual licensure of ebolavirus medical countermeasures, so that safe and effective countermeasures can be accelerated into human clinical trials.

AREAS COVERED

The authors describe ebolavirus hemorrhagic fever (EHF) disease in various animal species: mice, guinea pigs, hamsters, pigs and NHP, to include baboons, marmosets, rhesus and cynomolgus macaques, as well as African green monkeys. Because the NHP models are supremely useful for therapeutics and vaccine testing, emphasis is placed on comparison of these models, and their use as gold-standard models of EHF.

EXPERT OPINION

Animal models of EHF varying from rodents to NHP species are currently under evaluation for their reproducibility and utility for modeling infection in humans. Complete development and licensure of therapeutic agents and vaccines will require demonstration that mechanisms conferring protection in NHP models of infection are predictive of protective responses in humans, for a given countermeasure.

Development of a novel preclinical model of pneumococcal pneumonia in nonhuman primates

Pneumococcal pneumonia is a leading cause of bacterial infection and death worldwide. Current diagnostic tests for detecting Streptococcus pneumoniae can be unreliable and can mislead clinical decision-making and treatment. To address this concern, we developed a preclinical model of pneumococcal pneumonia in nonhuman primates useful for identifying novel biomarkers, diagnostic tests, and therapies for human S. pneumoniae infection. Adult colony-bred baboons (n = 15) were infected with escalating doses of S. pneumoniae (Serotype 19A-7). We characterized the pathophysiological and serological profiles of healthy and infected animals over 7 days. Pneumonia was prospectively defined by the presence of three criteria: (1) change in white blood cell count, (2) isolation of S. pneumoniae from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) or blood, and (3) concurrent signs/symptoms of infection. Animals given 10(9) CFU consistently met our definition and developed a phenotype of tachypnea, tachycardia, fever, hypoxemia, and radiographic lobar infiltrates at 48 hours. BALF and plasma cytokines, including granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-1ra, peaked at 24 to 48 hours. At necropsy, there was lobar consolidation with frequent pleural involvement. Lung histopathology showed alveolar edema and macrophage influx in areas of organizing pneumonia. Hierarchical clustering of peripheral blood RNA data at 48 hours correctly identified animals with and without pneumonia. Dose-dependent inoculation of baboons with S. pneumoniae produces a host response ranging from spontaneous clearance (10(6) CFU) to severe pneumonia (10(9) CFU). Selected BALF and plasma cytokine levels and RNA profiles were associated with severe pneumonia and may provide clinically useful parameters after validation.

Age- and gender-associated changes in the concentrations of serum TGF-1β, DHEA-S and IGF-1 in healthy captive baboons (Papio hamadryas anubis)

Age-related changes in the concentration of factors like TGF-1β, DHEA-S and IGF-1 may increase the risk of disease and illnesses in advanced life. A better understanding of these changes would aid in the development of more appropriate treatments and/or preventative care for many conditions associated with age. Due to their similar immune system and vulnerability to pathogens, baboons are an ideal model for humans. However, little research has been done examining the general effects of age in baboons. Therefore, we wanted to further examine the effects of aging in baboons by determining the age-dependent changes in serum TGF-1β, DHEA-S and IGF-1 concentrations. Blood samples were collected during routine health checks in 113-118 captive baboons. In addition, longitudinal samples from 23 to 27 adult individuals were collected an average of 10.7years apart. Both age and gender influenced the concentrations of serum TGF-1β and IGF-1. When both genders were analyzed together, TGF-1β increased 16.1% as adults, compared to younger and older animals, but male and female baboons showed a slightly different temporal pattern of change. IGF-1 decreased with increasing age and males had a 30% greater concentration of IGF-1 than did females. While there was no effect of gender among our population, serum DHEA-S was negatively correlated with age, decreasing by 51.6% in the oldest animals. There were no effects of age or gender on serum IGFBP-3. In longitudinal samples collected from the same individuals, the concentrations of TGF-1β, DHEA-S and IGF-1 were reduced with age. The results presented herein provide additional knowledge of the aging process in baboons and further validate the use of this species as an appropriate model for aging in humans.

Occult hepatitis B virus infection in chacma baboons, South Africa

During previous studies of susceptibility to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, HBV DNA was detected in 2/6 wild-caught baboons. In the present study, HBV DNA was amplified from 15/69 wild-caught baboons. All animals were negative for HBV surface antigen and antibody against HBV core antigen. Liver tissue from 1 baboon was immunohistochemically negative for HBV surface antigen but positive for HBV core antigen. The complete HBV genome of an isolate from this liver clustered with subgenotype A2. Reverse transcription PCR of liver RNA amplified virus precore and surface protein genes, indicating replication of virus in baboon liver tissue. Four experimentally naive baboons were injected with serum from HBV DNA-positive baboons. These 4 baboons showed transient seroconversion, and HBV DNA was amplified from serum at various times after infection. The presence of HBV DNA at relatively low levels and in the absence of serologic markers in the baboon, a nonhuman primate, indicates an occult infection.

Robust immunity to an auxotrophic Mycobacterium bovis BCG-VLP prime-boost HIV vaccine candidate in a nonhuman primate model

We previously reported that a recombinant pantothenate auxotroph of Mycobacterium bovis BCG expressing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) subtype C Gag (rBCGpan-Gag) efficiently primes the mouse immune system for a boost with a recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara (rMVA) vaccine. In this study, we further evaluated the immunogenicity of rBCGpan-Gag in a nonhuman primate model. Two groups of chacma baboons were primed or mock primed twice with either rBCGpan-Gag or a control BCG. Both groups were boosted with HIV-1 Pr55(gag) virus-like particles (Gag VLPs). The magnitude and breadth of HIV-specific cellular responses were measured using a gamma interferon (IFN-γ) enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISPOT) assay, and the cytokine profiles and memory phenotypes of T cells were evaluated by polychromatic flow cytometry. Gag-specific responses were detected in all animals after the second inoculation with rBCGpan-Gag. Boosting with Gag VLPs significantly increased the magnitude and breadth of the responses in the baboons that were primed with rBCGpan-Gag. These responses targeted an average of 12 Gag peptides per animal, compared to an average of 3 peptides per animal for the mock-primed controls. Robust responses of Gag-specific polyfunctional T cells capable of simultaneously producing IFN-γ, tumor necrosis alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-2 (IL-2) were detected in the rBCGpan-Gag-primed animals. Gag-specific memory T cells were skewed toward a central memory phenotype in both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell populations. These data show that the rBCGpan-Gag prime and Gag VLP boost vaccine regimen is highly immunogenic, inducing a broad and polyfunctional central memory T cell response. This report further indicates the feasibility of developing a BCG-based HIV vaccine that is safe for childhood HIV immunization.

The Baboon (Papio spp.) as a model of human Ebola virus infection

Baboons are susceptible to natural Ebola virus (EBOV) infection and share 96% genetic homology with humans. Despite these characteristics, baboons have rarely been utilized as experimental models of human EBOV infection to evaluate the efficacy of prophylactics and therapeutics in the United States. This review will summarize what is known about the pathogenesis of EBOV infection in baboons compared to EBOV infection in humans and other Old World nonhuman primates. In addition, we will discuss how closely the baboon model recapitulates human EBOV infection. We will also review some of the housing requirements and behavioral attributes of baboons compared to other Old World nonhuman primates. Due to the lack of data available on the pathogenesis of Marburg virus (MARV) infection in baboons, discussion of the pathogenesis of MARV infection in baboons will be limited.

The effect of season on inflammatory response in captive baboons

INTRODUCTION

Highly seasonal animals demonstrate predictable changes in immune function that coincide with changes in photoperiod. Little is known about the effect of season on immune response in baboons. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of season on inflammatory response in baboons.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Peripheral blood mononuclear cell cytokine response following immune stimulation and serum markers of inflammation were assessed during each season in two groups of young male baboons: one housed under natural light and one in a controlled environment of 12 hours light:12 hours dark.

RESULTS

A seasonal immune rhythm was evident in both groups, with a greater TNF-α and IL-6 response to stimulation and serum CRP concentration in June and September compared with December.

CONCLUSIONS

Season is an important experimental confounder, and therefore, time of year should be controlled when designing studies and analyzing data from immune studies in baboons.

Age-associated alteration in innate immune response in captive baboons

Baboons are an ideal model for studies of human inflammatory response due to their physiological and immunological similarities to people; however; little is known about how age affects immune function in the baboon. We sought to determine if baboons show age-related innate immune changes similar to that described in people. Age was correlated with increased serum C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 or, however, no change in interleukin-10 concentration was observed (n = 120 baboons). Cytokine release from unstimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells as well as following immune (lipopolysaccharide) stimulation increased with age. When whole blood was assayed, both lipopolysaccharide stimulated and unstimulated samples showed an age-related increase in interleukin-6 response, although the unstimulated cytokine response was reduced compared with that observed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Tumor necrosis factor-α response was not related to age. Cytokine response in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated whole blood was negatively correlated with serum DHEA-S concentration and positively correlated with TGF-β concentration.

A prime-boost immunisation regimen using recombinant BCG and Pr55(gag) virus-like particle vaccines based on HIV type 1 subtype C successfully elicits Gag-specific responses in baboons

Mycobacterium bovis BCG is considered an attractive live bacterial vaccine vector. In this study, we investigated the immune response of baboons to a primary vaccination with recombinant BCG (rBCG) constructs expressing the gag gene from a South African HIV-1 subtype C isolate, and a boost with HIV-1 subtype C Pr55(gag) virus-like particles (Gag VLPs). Using an interferon enzyme-linked immunospot assay, we show that although these rBCG induced only a weak or an undetectable HIV-1 Gag-specific response on their own, they efficiently primed for a Gag VLP boost, which strengthened and broadened the immune responses. These responses were predominantly CD8+ T cell-mediated and recognised similar epitopes as those targeted by humans with early HIV-1 subtype C infection. In addition, a Gag-specific humoral response was elicited. These data support the development of HIV-1 vaccines based on rBCG and Pr55(gag) VLPs.

HIV-1 subtype C Pr55gag virus-like particle vaccine efficiently boosts baboons primed with a matched DNA vaccine

A DNA vaccine expressing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) southern African subtype C Gag (pTHGag) and a recombinant baculovirus Pr55gag virus-like particle prepared using a subtype C Pr55gag protein (Gag VLP) was tested in a prime-boost inoculation regimen in Chacma baboons. The response of five baboons to Gag peptides in a gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay after three pTHGag immunizations ranged from 100 to 515 spot-forming units (s.f.u.) per 10(6) peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), whilst the response of two baboons to the Gag VLP vaccine ranged from 415 to 465 s.f.u. per 10(6) PBMCs. An increase in the Gag-specific response to a range of 775-3583 s.f.u. per 10(6) PBMCs was achieved by boosting with Gag VLPs the five baboons that were primed with pTHGag. No improvement in Gag responses was achieved in this prime-boost inoculation regimen by increasing the number of pTHGag inoculations to six. IFN-gamma responses were mapped to several peptides, some of which have been reported to be targeted by PBMCs from HIV-1 subtype C-infected individuals. Gag VLPs, given as a single-modality regimen, induced a predominantly CD8+ T-cell IFN-gamma response and interleukin-2 was a major cytokine within a mix of predominantly Th1 cytokines produced by a DNA-VLP prime-boost modality. The prime-boost inoculation regimen induced high serum p24 antibody titres in all baboons, which were several fold above that induced by the individual vaccines. Overall, this study demonstrated that these DNA prime/VLP boost vaccine regimens are highly immunogenic in baboons, inducing high-magnitude and broad multifunctional responses, providing support for the development of these products for clinical trials.

An age-old paradigm challenged: old baboons generate vigorous humoral immune responses to LcrV, a plague antigen

Immune senescence in the elderly results in decreased immunity with a concomitant increase in susceptibility to infection and diminished efficacy of vaccination. Nonhuman primate models have proven critical for testing of vaccines and therapeutics in the general population, but a model using old animals has not been established. Toward that end, immunity to LcrV, a protective Ag from Yersinia pestis, was tested in young and old baboons. Surprisingly, there was no age-associated loss in immune competence; LcrV elicited high-titer, protective Ab responses in the older individuals. The primary responses in the younger baboons were lower, but they did show boosting upon secondary immunization to the levels achieved in the old animals. The LcrV Ag was also tested in mice and, as expected, age-associated loss of immunity was seen; older animals responded with lower-titer Abs and, as a result, were more susceptible to Yersinia challenge. Thus, although age-related loss in immune function has been observed in humans, rodents, and some nonhuman primates, baboons appear to be unusual; they age without losing immune competence.

Experimental vaccines in animal models for schistosomiasis

Considerable morbidity and mortality results from the affliction of an estimated 200 million people worldwide by several species of schistosomes; 779 million are exposed to the disease in 74 different countries. Even though anti-parasitic drugs and other control measures, including public hygiene and snail control are available, the advent of an effective vaccine still remains the most potentially powerful means for the control of this disease. The putative vaccine could be administered to small children prior to the time when their contact with infected water is maximal, so as to prevent severe infection in the subsequent years. This review attempts to summarize the status of schistosome vaccine development with special emphasis on functionally important vaccine candidates. The importance of utilizing both murine and nonhuman primate models as a prerequisite for clinical trials is discussed.