Lymphoproliferative responses to recombinant HIV-1 envelope antigens in neonates and infants receiving gp120 vaccines

Children of mothers infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) were immunized at birth and at 1, 3, and 5 months with 1 of 3 doses of recombinant gp 120 vaccines prepared from SF-2 or MN strains of HIV-1. A total of 126 children were not infected; 21 received adjuvant only. Vaccine recipients developed lymphoproliferative responses on greater than or equal to 2 occasions, responding more often to homologous HIV-1 antigens than did adjuvant recipients (56% vs. 14%; P < .001). Responses were appreciated after 2 immunizations and were maintained for >84 weeks after the last immunization, hn accelerated immunization schedule(birth, 2 weeks, 2 months, and 5 months) with the lowest dose of the SF-2 vaccine produced responses in all 11 vaccinees by 4 weeks. Responses to heterologous envelope antigens were also detected. Immune responses to vaccination are achievable at an age when some infection (perinatal or breast milk exposure related) may be prevented.