Bissa, M., et al. HIV vaccine candidate ΔV1gp120 formulated in ALFQA adjuvant augments mucosal immunity in female macaques. Nat Commun, 2025 Sep 29, 16(1):8571.
Bissa, M., et al. HIV vaccine candidate ΔV1gp120 formulated in ALFQA adjuvant augments mucosal immunity in female macaques. Nat Commun, 2025 Sep 29, 16(1):8571. PMID: 41022728
- This paper explores a new HIV vaccine candidate called ΔV1gp120 combined with the ALFQA adjuvant that boosts mucosal immunity in female macaques. ALFQA is an advanced liposomal adjuvant formulation incorporating immunostimulatory components (QS-21 and MPLA) that promote both innate and adaptive immunity.
- This study demonstrates that the HIV vaccine candidate ΔV1gp120 formulated with the ALFQA adjuvant enhances mucosal and systemic immunity in female macaques, providing significant protection against SIV challenge. The adjuvant boosts immune responses by promoting the activation of innate immune cells such as M2-like macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, and innate lymphoid cells, while also eliciting potent antibody functions like antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). These immune enhancements correlate with decreased infection risk, highlighting the importance of both innate and antibody-mediated responses in vaccine efficacy.
QS-21 is a key component of the ALFQ adjuvant formulation. QS-21 contributes to the enhancement of immune responses by activating innate immune pathways such as the inflammasome, which promotes robust humoral and cellular immunity. Specifically, the inclusion of QS-21 in ALFQ enhances mucosal immunity and improves vaccine efficacy in the macaque model for HIV, as demonstrated by increased antibody titers and functional immune responses. The paper highlights QS-21’s capacity to stimulate immune cells, including dendritic cells and macrophages, which supports the development of potent protective immunity against HIV/SIV challenges.
- The findings support further development of this vaccine strategy for human trials, emphasizing the potential for adjuvants like ALFQA to induce durable and effective protective immunity against HIV.
Click here to access the full scientific paper.
