title: DNA-based immunization against hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in normal and HBsAg-transgenic mice.
abstract: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a serious worldwide health problem and the possibility to control it will depend on the availability of safe, effective and affordable vaccines. Recombinant protein or plasma-derived vaccines containing HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) are safe and generally efficacious, however, they are too expensive for widespread use in areas of HBV endemicity and are only partially effective for treatment of HBV chronic carriers. Immunization of mice by injection of HBsAg-expressing plasmid DNA results in rapid induction of strong and long-lasting humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. Here we report optimization of the humoral response with the use of necrotizing agents, co-expression of cytokines or co-stimulatory molecules and formulation of the DNA with cationic liposomes. DNA-based immunization of HBsAg-transgenic mice can also overcome non-response to HBsAg. Thus, DNA vaccines against HBV may be useful for both prophylactic and therapeutic purposes.
authors.affiliation: Loeb Medical Research Institute, Ottowa Civic Hospital, Canada.
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Brazolot Millan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mancini
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: McCluskie
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hadchouel
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Comanita
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tiollais
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Whalen
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Michel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D019444:Vaccines, DNA; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor