Efficient Induction of Th1-type Immune Responses to Hepatitis B Virus Antigens by DNA Prime-Adenovirus Boost

• Published in: Immune network Vol. 5; no. 1; pp. 1 - 10
• Main Authors: Lee, Chang-Geun, Yang, Se-Hwan, Park, Su-Hyung, Song, Man-Ki, Choi, So-Young, Sung, Young-Chul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 대한면역학회 01.03.2005
• Subjects: 면역학; Hepatitis B virus; DNA prime-adenovirus boost; Th1-type immunity
• ISSN: 1598-2629; 2092-6685

Background: Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects about 350 million people worldwide, which have a high risk of development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Treatment of chronic HBV infection relies on IFN-${\alpha}$ or lamivudine. However, interferon-${\alpha}$ is effective in only about 30% of patients. Also, the occurrence of escape mutations limits the usage of lamivudine. Therefore, the development and evaluation of new compounds or approaches are urgent. Methods: We comparatively evaluated DNA and adenoviral vaccines expressing HBV antigens, either alone or in combined regimens, for their ability to elicit Th1-type immune responses in Balb / c mice which are believed to be suited to resolve HBV infection. The vaccines were tested with or without a genetically engineered IL-12 (mIL-12 N220L) which was shown to enhance sustained Th1-type immune responses in HCV E2 DNA vaccine. Results: Considering the Th1-type cytokine secretion and the IgG2a titers, the strongest Th1-type immune response was elicited by the DNA prime-adenovirus boost regimen in the presence of mIL-12 N220L. In addition, the codelivery of mIL-12 N220L modulated differentially the immune responses by different vaccination regimens. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the DNA prime-adenovirus boost regimen in the presence of mIL-12 N220L may be the best candidate for HBV vaccine therapy of the regimens tested in this study and will be worthwhile being evaluated in chronic HBV patients.