Immunogenicity of a multiple epitope antigen gene of hepatitis C virus in mice and rabbits

VernacularTitle:小鼠及家兔对丙型肝炎病毒多表位 DNA疫苗免疫应答的研究
Author: Jiansheng HUANG ; Lishan CHEN ; Yongmei XIE ; Qian ZHANG ; Daming REN ; Chengxiang LEI ; Xianrong SHEN ; Fuxing JIA ; Liyun ZHANG ; Liyin CHEN ; Mingqiu GUO
Publication Type:Journal Article
From: Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2001;17(1):52-54
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Aim To explore the possibility of the multiple epitope DNA vaccines of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Methods A synthetic multiple epitope antigen gene PCX of HCV was cloned into vector pREP9(RSV promoter) and pcDNA3 (CMV promoter) to construct eukaryotic expression vectors pREP9/PCX and pcDNA3/PCX, then they were used to immunize mice and rabbits, the titer of specific humoral and cellular responses were detected and their safety were observed. Results In mice, specific anti-GZ-PCX antibody(IgG) was lower than 1∶ 1 000 and did not persist well. In rabbits, the highest titer of anti-GZ-PCX IgG reached at 1∶ 3 200 and remained for about one month. Delayed type hypersensitivity reactions (DTH)and proliferation response of peripheral lymphocytes were induced by GZ-PCX antigen. Body weights of immunized mice were normal and no obvious toxic reaction was observed. Conclusion The multiple epitope antigen gene of HCV could induce specific immune responses without obvious toxicity and it might be able to serve as an effective HCV vaccine candidate.