title: A synthetic multi-epitope antigen enhances hepatitis C virus-specific B- and T-cell responses.
abstract: Combining results from previous studies, a multi-epitope antigen PCXZ against the hepatitis C virus was synthesized in this study. The antigenic specificity of PCXZ was determined by recognizing antibodies in serum samples from hepatitis C virus patients, but not from healthy subjects or subjects who had the hepatitis B virus. The characteristics of PCXZ immunogenicity were evaluated in BALB/c mice. Strong antibody responses were generated in mice immunized with either naked PCXZ or PCXZ in Freund's adjuvant. As for the T-cell responses, Freund's adjuvant significantly increased interferon-γ secretion and enhanced the lytic activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. The epitope Pa, one component of PCXZ, made the most significant contribution to specific CTL lysis; this epitope was also a B-cell epitope and was able to induce high IgG titers. In summary, PCXZ was found to be highly immunogenic, and elicited both humoral and cellular immune responses in mice.
authors: State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
authors: Guimei
authors: G
authors: Yang
authors: Shuwen
authors: S
authors: Chen
authors: Xiangying
authors: X
authors: Zhu
authors: Shenghua
authors: S
authors: Liang
authors: Longding
authors: L
authors: Liu
authors: Daming
authors: D
authors: Ren
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000276:immunology; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D000939:Epitopes; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014765:Viral Vaccines; D007371:Interferon-gamma