Comparison of virology and immunology in SHIV 89.6 proviral DNA and virus‐inoculated rhesus macaques

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Abstract
Inoculation of cats, goats and monkeys with plasmids encoding full‐length proviral genomes results in persistent lentiviral infections. This system could be used as a method for administration of an attenuated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine. Here, we compare the virology and immunology in rhesus macaques inoculated with either simian/human immunodeficiency virus 89.6 (SHIV 89.6) virus or a plasmid containing the SHIV 89.6 proviral genome. There was a delay in appearance of systemic infection in DNA‐inoculated animals compared with virus‐inoculated animals, but otherwise the pattern of infection was similar. The serum immunoglobulin G anti‐simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) binding antibody response in DNA‐inoculated animals was also delayed compared with virus‐inoculated animals, but ultimately there was no difference between live virus and DNA‐inoculation in the ability to induce the anti‐SIV immune responses that were measured. Thus, the data support the concept that plasmid DNA encoding an attenuated virus could be used instead live virus for vaccination.