title: Optimisation of prime-boost immunization in mice using novel protein-based and recombinant vaccinia (Tiantan)-based HBV vaccine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A therapeutic vaccine for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection that enhances virus-specific cellular immune responses is urgently needed. The "prime-boost" regimen is a widely used vaccine strategy against many persistence infections. However, few reports have addressed this strategy applying for HBV therapeutic vaccine development.
  
  
  RESULTS
  To develop an effective HBV therapeutic vaccine, we constructed a recombinant vaccinia virus (Tiantan) containing the S+PreS1 fusion antigen (RVJSS1) combined with the HBV particle-like subunit vaccine HBVSS1 to explore the most effective prime-boost regimen against HBV. The immune responses to different prime-boost regimens were assessed in C57BL/C mice by ELISA, ELISpot assay and Intracellular cytokine staining analysis. Among the combinations tested, an HBV protein particle vaccine priming and recombinant vaccinia virus boosting strategy accelerated specific seroconversion and produced high antibody (anti-PreS1, anti-S antibody) titres as well as the strongest multi-antigen (PreS1, and S)-specific cellular immune response. HBSS1 protein prime/RVJSS1 boost immunization was also generated more significant level of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses for Th1 cytokines (TNF-α and IFN-γ).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The HBSS1 protein-vaccine prime plus RVJSS1 vector boost elicits specific antibody as well as CD4 and CD8 cells secreting Th1-like cytokines, and these immune responses may be important parameters for the future HBV therapeutic vaccines.
authors.affiliation: Biotech Center for Viral Diseases Emergency, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xia
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chuai
authors.forename: Yao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Shaoqing
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Xiong
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ruan
authors.forename: Wenjie
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000276:immunology; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D016466:CHO Cells; D002642:Chick Embryo; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D045142:Cross-Priming / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D058501:Enzyme-Linked Immunospot Assay; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000276:immunology; D056724:Immunity, Humoral / Q000276:immunology; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000276:immunology*; D014615:Vaccinia / Q000276:immunology; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D016207:Cytokines; D000939:Epitopes; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014764:Viral Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma