Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 21, 2026
Development of Cell-type specific anti-HIV gp120 aptamers for siRNA delivery
Published on: June 23, 2011
Epidermal powder immunization with a recombinant HIV gp120 targets Langerhans cells and induces enhanced immune
Dexiang Chen1, C Zuleger, Q Chu
1PowderJect Vaccines, Inc., 585 Science Drive, Madison, WI 53711, USA. dexiang_chen@powderject.com
Abstract:
The recombinant envelope gp120 (rgp120) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a weak immunogen when administered by intramuscular (IM) injection. In the present study, we report that epidermal powder immunization (EPI) elicits robust antibody responses to the rgp120. EPI of mice with a dose 0.2-5 microg of rgp120 protein elicited geometric mean antibody titers that were 18- to 240-fold higher than that elicited by IM injection using a 5.0 microg dose. Targeting antigen to and mobilization of Langerhans cells (LCs) by EPI may explain the enhanced immunogenicity of the rgp120. EPI with rgp120 using sugar and gold particles as carrier resulted in differential antigen entry into the LCs and differential IgG subclass antibody and cellular immune responses. EPI may serve as a useful tool to evaluate vaccine potential of the rgp120 protein.
