Mimovirus: a novel form of vaccine that induces hepatitis B virus-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses in vivo.
CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are now recognized as important mediators of immunity against intracellular pathogens, including human immunodeficiency virus and tumors. How to efficiently evoke antigen-specific CTL responses in vivo has become a crucial problem in the development of modern vaccines. Here, we developed a completely novel CTL vaccine-mimovirus, which is a kind of virus-size particulate antigen delivery system. It was formed by the self-assembly of a cationic peptide containing 18 lysines and a CTL-epitope peptide of HBsAg(28-39), with a plasmid encoding mouse interleukin-12 (IL-12) through electrostatic interactions. We examined the formation of mimovirus by DNA retardation assay, DNase I protection assay, and transmission electron microscopy and demonstrated that mimovirus could efficiently transfer the plasmid encoding IL-12 into mammalian cells such as P815 cells in vitro. Furthermore, it was proved that mimovirus could induce an HBsAg(28-39)-specific CTL response in vivo. Considering its effectiveness, flexibility, and defined composition, mimovirus is potentially a novel system for vaccination against intracellular pathogens and tumors.
Wu
Yu-Zhang
YZ
Institute of Immunology, Third Military Medical University, Ave. Gaotanyan 30th, District Shapingba, Chongqing 400038, People's Republic of China.
Zhao
Jian-Ping
JP
Wan
Ying
Y
Jia
Zheng-Cai
ZC
Zhou
Wei
W
Bian
Jiang
J
Ni
Bing
B
Zou
Li-Yun
LY
Tang
Yan
Y
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000235:genetics; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000276:immunology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D018664:Interleukin-12