It's probable that a mucosal approach is necessary for prophylactic HIV vaccine protecting against sexually transmitted infection. Although mucosal immune responses have been almost non-existent in trials of HIV vaccine candidates in which the antigen was delivered systematically.~Several animal models have also demonstrated the importance or a mucosal IgA response for protection against viral infections. Mucosal S IgA are essential effectors having different mechanisms of action agglutination of pathogens, interaction with cellular receptor, transcytosis of immune complexes, intracellular clearance of virus.~Gp 160 induces the majority of neutralizing Abs activity in patients serum and the immunogenicity of gp 160 can be improved by using and adjuvant such as DC-chol because of its properties to increase the permeation of the nasal epithelium and to facilitate systemic delivery of the vaccine antigen.~Before beginning mucosal vaccine trial, we previously tested and validated procedures to collect and process secretion fluids on 6 HIV-1 infected women (K. Petitprez et al, 4th European mucosal immunology group meeting, Lyon France, 8-10 october 2004).
It is probable that a mucosal approach is necessary for a prophylactic HIV vaccine protecting against sexually transmitted infection. Mucosal immune responses have been almost non-existent in trials of HIV vaccine candidates in which the antigen was delivered systemically. This study will test the safety and immune response of a recombinant HIV-1gp160 by nasal and mucosal routes alone or formulated with DC-Chol in healthy volunteers.