title: DNA immunization encoding the secreted nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) of hepatitis C virus and enhancing the Th1 type immune response.
abstract: To induce a sustained and specific cellular immune response to hepatitis C virus (HCV), DNA immunization of mice was performed using plasmids containing the HCV nonstructural gene 3 (HCV/NS3). Plasmids were constructed such that the NS3 gene was expressed in a secreted form, a nonsecreted form or as a membrane-bound antigen. The plasmid encoding the secreted antigen induced the strongest humoral and cellular immunity and favoured the T-helper type 1 (Th1) pathway as shown by cytokine profiles and switching of antibody subclasses. Our study indicates that DNA immunization with a secreted form of HCV/NS3 is an effective means of inducing primary Th1 immune responses in the murine model.
authors.affiliation: Department of Transfusion Medicine, Warren G. Magnuson Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20982, USA.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Jiao
authors.forename: R Y-H
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Alter
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: W -K  Shih
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000517:prevention & control; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000502:physiology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007378:Interleukins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010957:Plasmids; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D014611:Vaccination; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; D043583:Nucleoside-Triphosphatase; D053487:DEAD-box RNA Helicases; D000085242:Viral Proteases
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D007378:Interleukins; D019444:Vaccines, DNA; D017361:Viral Nonstructural Proteins; C084422:NS3 protein, hepatitis C virus; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases; D043583:Nucleoside-Triphosphatase; D053487:DEAD-box RNA Helicases; D000085242:Viral Proteases