DNA gene vaccination for HIV

The human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) is a retrovirus which preferentially infects and kills CD4+ T cells and macrophages, ultimately resulting in immune system failure and multi-pathogen infections. Recent breakthroughs in combination therapy using three different anti-retroviral agents have generated optimism regarding the ability to control viral replication in vivo [46]. However, this therapeutic regimen is costly, and it is too early to tell whether this approach can eradicate established infection [26, 46]. The costs and the stringent administration regimen requirements of these pharmaceutical agents make it clear that these drugs will only be effectively utilized in a limited part of the world population. Therefore, to address the worldwide problem of HIV-1 infection, there remains a need for a prophylactic vaccination strategy designed to control the epidemic through mass immunization campaigns [115].