Strong HCV NS3- and NS4A-specific cellular immune responses induced in mice and Rhesus macaques by a novel HCV genotype 1a/1b consensus DNA vaccine

Krystle A. Lang, Jian Yan, Ruxandra Draghia-Akli, Amir Khan, David B. Weiner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) represents a major health burden with more than 170 million individuals currently infected worldwide, equaling roughly 3% of the world's population. HCV preferentially infects hepatocytes and is able to persist in up to 70% of infected individuals. It is estimated that up to 30% of chronically infected individuals will go on to develop progressive liver disease as a result of HCV infection, making the virus the leading cause of liver transplantation in the world. Currently there is no vaccine for HCV. In this study, we have taken a multi-step approach to develop a novel genotype 1a/1b consensus HCV NS3/NS4A DNA vaccine able to induce strong cellular immunity. We show that this construct is able to induce strong anti-NS3/NS4A T cell responses in C57BL/6 mice, as well as, in Rhesus macaques. Our data suggest that DNA vaccines encoding HCV proteins NS3/NS4A merit further study in the context of future prophylactic and therapeutic HCV T cell based vaccines.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)6225-6231
Number of pages7
JournalVaccine
Volume26
Issue number49
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 18 2008

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This manuscript was supported in part by funding from the NIH to DBW and from VGX Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The laboratory notes possible commercial conflicts associated with this work, which may include; Wyeth, VGX, BMS, Virxsys, Ichor, Merck, Althea, & Aldeveron.

Keywords

  • Consensus
  • DNA vaccine
  • HCV
  • NS3
  • NS4A

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Medicine
  • Immunology and Microbiology (all)
  • Veterinary (all)
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Infectious Diseases

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