Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026
Analysis of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-specific CD8+ T-cells in Rhesus Macaques by Peptide-MHC-I Tetramer Staining
Published on: December 23, 2016
SIV vaccines: current status. The role of the SIV-macaque model in AIDS research
1Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616.
Abstract:
SIV vaccines made of inactivated whole virus, modified live virus and native and recombinant envelope antigens have protected macaques against experimental infection with low doses of cell-free SIV given systemically. The few vaccinated monkeys that do become infected have tended to live longer than the infected controls. Protection against cell-associated virus has not as yet been tested. The recombinant envelope vaccines now on test have generally not been as effective as the whole virus vaccines. Post-infectious immunotherapy with SIV vaccines has been ineffective. The same whole virus and modified live virus vaccines that protect against systemic infection fail to protect against genital mucosal challenge with cell-free virus. Since sexual transmission is the major route of HIV spread on a global scale, a major effort is now required to develop vaccines in this animal model that induce genital mucosal as well as systemic immunity against infection with both cell-free and cell-associated SIV.
Insights
SIV vaccines protect macaques against systemic infection but fail at mucosal sites. New vaccine strategies are needed to prevent sexual transmission of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV).
Area of Science:
- Veterinary immunology
- Vaccine development
- Primate models for infectious diseases
Background:
- Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) vaccines, including inactivated whole virus, live-attenuated virus, and recombinant envelope antigens, have shown efficacy in protecting macaques against systemic SIV infection.
- Vaccinated animals that do become infected tend to survive longer than control groups.
- Current vaccine efficacy against cell-associated SIV and mucosal challenge remains largely untested or ineffective.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of existing SIV vaccine formulations against different challenge types.
- To identify limitations of current vaccines, particularly concerning mucosal immunity and protection against cell-associated SIV.
- To highlight the need for novel vaccine approaches targeting sexual transmission routes.
Main Methods:
- Administration of various SIV vaccine types (inactivated whole virus, live-attenuated virus, recombinant envelope antigens) to macaques.
- Experimental challenge with cell-free SIV via systemic and mucosal routes.
- Assessment of protection, survival rates, and immune responses.
Main Results:
- Whole virus and live-attenuated SIV vaccines conferred protection against systemic, cell-free SIV challenge.
- Recombinant envelope vaccines were generally less effective than whole virus vaccines.
- Existing vaccines failed to protect against genital mucosal challenge with cell-free SIV.
- Post-infectious immunotherapy with SIV vaccines proved ineffective.
Conclusions:
- While current SIV vaccines offer systemic protection, they do not prevent infection via mucosal routes, which is critical for understanding HIV transmission.
- Development of vaccines inducing both systemic and genital mucosal immunity against cell-free and cell-associated SIV is a critical unmet need.
- Further research in primate models is essential to create effective vaccines against sexual transmission, mirroring global HIV spread.
More Related Videos
13:13Single-cell Quantitation of mRNA and Surface Protein Expression in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-infected CD4+ T Cells Isolated from Rhesus macaques
Published on: September 25, 2018
07:21Processing of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid and Matched Blood for Alveolar Macrophage and CD4+ T-cell Immunophenotyping and HIV Reservoir Assessment
Published on: June 23, 2019
