Protection of tree shrews by pVAX-PS DNA vaccine against HBV infection.
The immunological protection of pVAX-PS, a DNA vaccine, was assessed in the tree shrews model. pVAX-PS was constructed by inserting the gene encoding the middle (pre-S2 plus S) envelope protein of HBV into a plasmid vector pVAX1. Tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri chinenesis) were experimentally infected with human HBV by inoculation with human serum positive for HBV markers. DNA vaccination-induced seroconversion and antibody to HBV surface antigen (anti-HBs) were analyzed by ELISA, and protective effects elicited by pVAX-PS vaccination against subsequent HBV challenge were evaluated by detection of HBV seromarkers and observation of hepatic lesions in HBV-infected tree shrews. The results shown that anti-HBs were detectable in serum at week 2 after pVAX-PS vaccination and peaked at week 4, and immunization with pVAX-PS decreased the positive conversion rate of HBV seromarkers and relieved hepatic lesions in tree shrews challenged with HBV. These results indicated that pVAX-PS immunization could induce remarkable humoral immune response and prevent the experimental tree shrews from infection of HBV.
Zhou
Feng-Juan
FJ
Department of Medical Genetics, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
Hu
Zhen-Lin
ZL
Dai
Jian-Xin
JX
Chen
Rui-Wen
RW
Shi
Ke
K
Lin
Yi
Y
Sun
Shu-Han
SH
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D014418:Tupaiidae; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D019444:Vaccines, DNA