title: [Investigation of HCV multi-epitope gene vaccine loaded by CTS-Fe3O4].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In order to develop a promising HCV gene vaccine candidate to induce effective immune response and explore the application of magnetic nanoparticles as gene delivery system.
  
  
  METHODS
  The DNA fragment containing multi-epitope antigen gene of HCV with five conserved mimotopes was synthesized and cloned into plasmid pcDNA3.1 (+). The Fe3O4 modified with chitoson was prepared and the cytotoxicity of the magnetic material was detected in vitro. Analysis of recombinant plasmid in vitro expression, and its immunogenicity loaded by CTS-Fe3O4 in mice were evaluated in detail.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The HCV multi-epitope gene vaccine pcDNA3.1 (+)-MA was successfully constructed and recognized by 81% HCV positive sera. There was no cytotoxicity of CTS-Fe3O4 when its concentration was equal or less than 1 mmol/L. Both the antibody production and T-cell activity were induced.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It was believed that DNA encoding MA was an attractive approach for the therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines against HCV and the Fe3O4 modified with chitoson showed excellent target, safety and adjuvant effect as gene carrier.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kuang
authors.forename: Dun
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Li-li
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Bao-ning
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ming-yuan
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zhong-wei
authors.initials: ZW
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D000939:Epitopes / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide / Q000737:chemistry; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008280:Magnetics; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000939:Epitopes; D019444:Vaccines, DNA; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines; D048271:Chitosan; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide