Figure 4. scDEC DNA vaccine improves HIV gag–specific T cell responses.

Graded doses of the scDECp41 DNA vaccine alongside scControl DNA were administered i.m. in combination with electroporation to C×B6 F1 mice. 14 days later, the percentage of IFN-γ⁺/TNF-α⁺/IL-2⁺ T cells in gated CD3⁺ splenic T cells was assessed using a gag p41 peptide pool mix. (A) IFN-γ–secreting CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells among CD3⁺ T cells in responses to unrelated peptide or HIV gag p41 peptide pool mix. (B) Cytokine profile of the primed CD4⁺ T cells 14 days after DNA vaccination. Cells secreting 3 (arrows), 2, or 1 cytokine are indicated on the x axes. (C) Cytokine profile of the 3-μg DNA vaccine dose 28 days after vaccination as in B. Data are representative of 2 experiments with 2 mice pooled in each experiment.