Non-cytolytic antigen clearance in DNA-vaccinated mice with electroporation.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the potential of electroporation (EP)-mediated hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA vaccination for the treatment of chronic HBV infection.


METHODS
BALB/c mice were vaccinated with HBV DNA vaccine encoding for the HBV preS(2)-S antigen, combined with or without EP. HBV surface antigen expression plasmid was administered into mice liver via a hydrodynamic injection to mimic HBV infection. The clearance of antigen in the serum and liver was detected by ELISA assay and immunohistochemical staining. The histopathology of the liver tissues was examined by HE staining and serum alanine aminotransferase assay.


RESULTS
The immunogenicity of HBV DNA vaccine encoding for the HBV preS(2)- S antigen can be improved by EP-mediated vaccine delivery. The elicited immune responses can indeed reduce the expression of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) in hepatocytes of the mouse model that was transfected to express HBsAg using the hydrodynamic injection method. The antigen clearance process did not cause significant toxicity to liver tissue, suggesting a non-cytolytic mechanism.


CONCLUSIONS
The EP-aided DNA vaccination may have potential in mediating viral clearance in chronic hepatitis B patients.
Peng
Jin-liang
JL
Schools of Life Sciences and Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
Zhao
Yong-gang
YG
Mai
Jun-hua
JH
Pang
Wen-ka
WK
Guo
Wei
W
Chen
Guang-ming
GM
Mo
Guo-yu
GY
Rao
Gui-rong
GR
Xu
Yu-hong
YH
D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000378:metabolism*; D018274:Electroporation; D005260:Female; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000276:immunology*
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D019444:Vaccines, DNA