Immunogenic properties of a chimeric plant virus expressing a hepatitis C virus (HCV)-derived epitope: new prospects for an HCV vaccine

A vaccine against Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is urgently needed due to the unsatisfactory clinical response to current therapies. We evaluated the immunological properties of a chimeric Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), a plant virus engineered to express on its surface a synthetic peptide derived from many...

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Published inJournal of clinical immunology Vol. 25; no. 2; pp. 142 - 152
Main Authors Piazzolla, G, Nuzzaci, M, Tortorella, C, Panella, E, Natilla, A, Boscia, D, De Stradis, A, Piazzolla, P, Antonaci, S
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Netherlands Springer Nature B.V 01.03.2005
Subjects
Adult
Aged
Animals
Cells, Cultured
Chimera - genetics
Chimera - immunology
Chronic Disease
Cucumber mosaic virus
Cucumovirus - genetics
Cucumovirus - immunology
Cytokines - secretion
Cytomegalovirus
Epitopes - genetics
Epitopes - immunology
Female
Hepacivirus - genetics
Hepacivirus - immunology
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C - genetics
Hepatitis C - immunology
Hepatitis C - virology
Hepatitis C virus
Humans
Male
Membrane Proteins - metabolism
Middle Aged
Rabbits
T-Lymphocytes - metabolism
T-Lymphocytes - virology
Viral Hepatitis Vaccines - immunology
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Summary:A vaccine against Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is urgently needed due to the unsatisfactory clinical response to current therapies. We evaluated the immunological properties of a chimeric Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), a plant virus engineered to express on its surface a synthetic peptide derived from many HVR1 sequences of the HCV envelope protein E2 (R9 mimotope). Evidence was obtained that the chimeric R9-CMV elicits a specific humoral response in rabbits. Furthermore, in patients with chronic HCV infection, purified preparations of R9-CMV down-modulated the lymphocyte surface density of CD3 and CD8, and induced a significant release of interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-12 p70 and IL-15 by lymphomonocyte cultures. Finally, an R9 mimotope-specific CD8 T-cell response, as assessed by intracellular IFN-gamma production, was achieved in the majority of the patients studied. Our results open up new prospects for the development of effective vaccines against HCV infection. Moreover, the wide edible host range of CMV makes the production of an edible vaccine conceivable.
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ISSN:0271-9142
1573-2592
DOI:10.1007/s10875-005-2820-4