Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Development of a broad-based cellular immune response to hepatitis B viral structural proteins may be important for recovery from infection, and lack of such responses may lead to persistent viral infection and chronic liver disease. Strategies designed to enhance the hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific immune response may be able to reduce persistent viral infection of the liver. The aim of this study was to induce HBV-specific cellular and humoral immune responses in mice using DNA-based immunizations with the large and middle envelope and nucleocapsid proteins. METHODS: Antibodies to HBV structural proteins, T-helper-cell proliferation, and cytokine release and generation of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity were measured in vaccinated mice. RESULTS: Immunized mice developed high- titer antibodies against envelope and core proteins in serum. More importantly, 93% of the immunized mice produced strong inflammatory CD4+ T-cell and CD8+ CTL responses to viral proteins. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that DNA-based vaccination will generate broad-based CTL activity as well as strong T-helper cell responses with the production of TH1-type cytokines to HBV structural proteins. Such constructs are promising candidates as antiviral agents, and these studies have defined some of the most immunogenic antigens for an immunotherapeutic approach of chronic HBV infection. (Gastroenterology 1997 Apr;112(4):1307-20)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.