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Epitope‐based DNA vaccine for Alzheimer's disease: Translational study in macaques
Author(s) -
Evans Claire F.,
Davtyan Hayk,
Petrushina Irina,
Hovakimyan Armine,
Davtyan Arpine,
Hannaman Drew,
Cribbs David H.,
Agadjanyan Michael G.,
Ghochikyan Anahit
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2013.04.505
Subject(s) - epitope , dna vaccination , immune system , immunology , electroporation , virology , medicine , antibody , disease , vaccination , clinical trial , biology , immunization , gene , pathology , genetics
Background Clinical trials with passive and active Alzheimer's disease (AD) vaccines suggest that early interventions are needed for improvement of cognitive and/or functional performance in patients, providing impetus for the development of safe and immunologically potent active vaccines targeting amyloid β (Aβ). The AN‐1792 trial has indicated that Aβ‐specific T cells may be unsafe for humans; therefore, other vaccines based on small Aβ epitopes are undergoing preclinical and clinical testing. Methods Humoral and cellular immune responses elicited in response to a novel DNA epitope‐based vaccine (AV‐1955) delivered to rhesus macaques using the TriGrid electroporation device were evaluated. Functional activities of anti‐Aβ antibodies generated in response to vaccination were assessed in vitro . Results AV‐1955 generates long‐term, potent anti‐Aβ antibodies and cellular immune responses specific to foreign T‐helper epitopes but not to self‐Aβ. Conclusions This translational study demonstrates that a DNA‐based epitope vaccine for AD could be appropriate for human clinical testing.