Immunogenicity of candidate DNA vaccine based on subtype A of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 predominant in Russia

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐1 subtype A strains circulating among the majority of HIVinfected individuals in the former Soviet Union (FSU) countries demonstrate low genetic diversity. The consensus sequence of the FSU region‐specific isolate has been used for the candidate DNA vaccine development. We constructed recombinant plasmids with four viral genes: env (gp140), gag, pol (reverse transcriptase), and nef. We immunized BALB/c mice intramuscularly using equimolar mixture of four recombinant plasmids, and observed significant cytotoxic T lymphocyte response and specific CD8+ cell production against cells presenting HIV‐1 peptides. Overall, the Th1 pathway of immune response clearly dominated. Immunological properties of this candidate DNA vaccine against HIV‐1 suggest the possibility of its further study in clinical trials.