A DNA-Based Candidate HIV Vaccine Delivered via In Vivo Electroporation Induces CD4 Responses toward the α4β7-Binding V2 Loop of HIV gp120 in Healthy Volunteers

Administration of a clade C/B′ candidate HIV-1 DNA vaccine, ADVAX, by in vivo electroporation (EP) was safe and more immunogenic than intramuscular administration without EP. The breadth and specificity of T-cell responses to full-length Env were mapped. Responses to multiple Env regions were induced, with most focusing on V3/C4 and V2 regions, including the α4β7 integrin-binding domain. The breadth of responses induced by this DNA vaccine regimen was comparable to that of viral-vectored vaccine regimens.