Characterization of vpr vector constructed from chimeric simian and human immunodeficiency virus

Abstract

Chimeric simian and human immunodeficiency viruses (SHIVs) are useful tool for investigating AIDS pathogenesis and for development of vaccine. We constructed a SHIV-vpr vector (designated as SHIV-3sj) by replacing vpr region with restriction enzyme sites. SHIV-3sj was designed to express inserted gene along with its viral replication. Five cytokine genes were inserted into SHIV-3sj, and ability of viral replication and expression of the inserted genes were examined. The short insert including RANTES and IL-5 resulted in the successful expression from SHIV-3sj, while the construct having longer genes including IL-2, IL-6 and IL-12p35 failed to become replication competent. These results suggest that the length of the insert is an important factor for the replication ability of SHIV-3sj vector.