OBJECTIVESTo examine the expression and purification of the TGFbeta1 vaccine from prokaryotic expression system and to determine the antigenicity of the fusion protein of recombinant vector pET28a/ HBcAg1-71-TGFbeta132-HBcAg89-144.

METHODSThe reconstructed vector pGEMEX-1/CTC was subcloned to pET28a and transformed into E. coli BL21 (DE3). The recombinant 6xHis- HBcAg1-71- TGFbeta132- HBcAg89-144 was to be expressed after induction by IPTG and purified with Ni-NTA-His affinity chromatography. The detection of the formation of core-like particles was done under an electron microscope and of their antigenity by using ELISA and Western blot.

RESULTSA 2.46 x 10(4) protein was obtained by optimizing the conditions for both expression and purification. The protein had the TGFbeta1 antigenicity but not a HBc antigenity and the formed core-like particles were bigger than natural core particles.

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant fusion protein in the prokaryotic expressed system can be used as an anti-TGFbeta1 vaccine to inhibit hepatic fibrosis.