USA: Conserved epitopes between FIV and HIV

Immunogenicity and Efficacy of a Novel Multi-Antigenic Peptide Vaccine Based on Cross-Reactivity between Feline and Human Immunodeficiency Viruses

Bikash Sahay, Alek M. Aranyos, Meerambika Mishra, Andrew C. McAvoy, Marcus M. Martin, Riuyu Pu, Sayaka Shiomitsu, Keijiro Shiomitsu, Michael J. Dark, Missa P. Sanou, Shannon R. Roff, Mobeen H. Rathore and Janet K. Yamamoto | Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, USA, Biovalion: Clinical Research, 7951 Ponds Edge Ln, Zephyrhills, FL 33540-1973, USA, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, USA, Department of Comparative, Diagnostic & Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, USA, Merck & Co., 770 Sumneytown Pike, North Wales, PA 19486, USA, Charles River Laboratories Inc., 15 Worman’s Mill Court, Suite I, Frederick, MD 21701, USA, Education, and Service (UF CARES), University of Florida Center for HIV/AIDS Research, Jacksonville, FL 32209-6810, USA | 2019 | Viruses; vol. 11, no. 136 doi:10.3390/v11020136

Developing an effective HIV vaccine is crucial for eradicating the virus. In this study, evolutionarily conserved epitopes between feline and human immunodeficiency viruses (FIV and HIV) were determined by analysing overlapping peptides from retroviral genomes that induce both anti-FIV and anti-HIV T-cell immunity. The four identified conserved epitopes were developed into four multiple antigen peptides (MAPs) and tested as an FIV vaccine in cats. Vaccine immunogenicity was determined 3-6 weeks post-second vaccination by RT-qPCR, performed on the MIC Real-Time Cycler. The vaccine resulted in a protection rate of 66.3% in cats.