[Adenovirus mediated expression of interleukin 12 regulating hepatitis C virus E2 gene immunization-induced immune response].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the regulating effect of hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelop (E) 2 gene immunization-induced immune responses by adenovirus mediated interleukin 12 (IL-12).


METHODS
HCV E2 protein was expressed and purified from NIH 3T3 and then used as an antigen to detect antibodies against HCV E2. With 51Cr release, SP2/0 expressing HCV E2 was used as target cell to detect specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) response; adenovirus recombined IL-12 was propagated by 293 cell. HCV E2 recombinant and adenovirus recombined IL-12 were injected into the quadriceps femoris muscles and abdominal cavities of 6-8 weeks old BALB/C mice. Sera were collected at 2, 3, and 4 weeks and detected for antibodies for E2. Spleen cells isolated at 4 weeks were analyzed for specific CTL response.


RESULTS
It was found that expression of IL-12 at an undetectable level did enhance HCV E2 gene immunization-induced CTL activity and there was no effect on its hormonal immune response.


CONCLUSIONS
Using adenovirus to express interleukin 12 was helpful for regulation of HCV E2 gene immunization-induced immune response. Combined HCV E2 and IL-12 can render a strong anti-HCV CTL activity and may be of use in the development of HCV gene vaccine in the future.
Wu
Chao-dong
CD
Hepatology Institute, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China.
Li
Hong-gui
HG
Tao
Qi-min
QM
Wei
Lai
L
D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000502:physiology*; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*
D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; C091015:glycoprotein E2, Hepatitis C virus; D018664:Interleukin-12