The Combination of an mRNA Immunogen, a TLR7 Agonist and a PD1 Blocking Agent Enhances In-Vitro HIV T-Cell Immune Responses.

ABSTRACT: The development of new strategies to achieve a functional cure for HIV remains a priority. We tested a novel HIV therapeutic vaccine using unmodified mRNA (TMEP-B) and mRNA modified by 1-methyl-3'-pseudouridylyl (TMEP-Bmod) expressing both a multiepitopic sequences from Gag, Pol, and Nef proteins, including different CD4 and CD8 T-cell epitopes functionally associated with HIV control in transfected monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs) obtained from HIV infected patients. In vitro assays were used to test the mRNAs alone and in combination with immunomodulator agents, such as the TLR-7 agonist Vesatolimod and the PD-1 antagonist Nivolumab to try to improve HIV-specific cellular immune responses. Combining the mRNAs with the immunomodulators enhanced HIV-specific T-cell responses, toget

SUBMITTER: Usero L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9961394 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature