LL-37 antimicrobial peptide and heterologous prime-boost vaccination regimen significantly induce HIV-1 Nef-Vpr antigen- and virion-specific immune responses in mice.

Generally, the use of LL-37 for DNA delivery, Montanide 720 as an adjuvant, and heterologous DNA prime/protein boost strategy could significantly increase IgG2a, IFN-gamma, and Granzyme B, and maintain cytokine secretion after exposure to virions. Indeed, the heterologous DNA + LL-37 prime/protein + Montanide boost regimen can be considered as a potent strategy for development of therapeutic HIV vaccines.