Immunological Evaluation of HIV-1 VLP Harboring MPER-V3 in ‎BALB/c Mice Model

Aims: Developing an effective vaccine against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is necessary. The aim of this study was the immunological evaluation of HIV-1 VLP harboring MPER-V3 in BALB/c mice model. Materials and Methods: In the present experimental research, presenting 40 female mice, which were between 6 and 8 weeks old, were used for immunization with VLP MPER-V3. The mice were divided into 8 groups and in each group, 5 mice were considered. Injections were performed three times at three weeks intervals and subcutaneously in a volume of 100μl per mouse. Two weeks after last injection, mouse blood samples were collected by retro-orbital bleeding and immune responses were evaluated in serum for levels of total IgG and splenocytes for cytokine assay, using ELISA method. The data analysis was performed, using Mann-Whitney test and one-way analysis of variance. Findings: The level of total antibody production was very high in all groups that had VLP alone or with adjuvant immunity, having a significant difference with the control group (p<0.05). IgG1 was the predominant isotype (Th2-biased response) in groups that had VLP injections alone or with adjuvant. Conclusion: VLPs can stimulate the humoral immune system in mice immunized with these particles alone or formulated with adjuvant. Also, the level of production of IL-5 in the presence of the vaccine candidate as VLP increased significantly.

Immunological Evaluation of HIV-1 VLP Harboring MPER-V3 in ‎BALB/c Mice Model Keywords:

Vaccine , VLP , HIV-1 , Immunization , BALB/c , واکسن , ذرات شبه ویروس , HIV-1 ‎ , ایمنی زایی , BALB/c