Vaccination with an adenoviral vector encoding hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3 protein protects against infection with HCV-recombinant vaccinia virus.

Abstract

Cellular immune response plays an important role in the clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Thus, development of efficient ways to induce anti-viral cellular immune responses is an important step toward prevention and/or treatment of HCV infection. With this aim, we have constructed a replication-deficient recombinant adenovirus expressing HCV NS3 protein (RAdNS3). The efficacy of RAdNS3 was tested in vivo by measuring the protection against infection with a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing HCV-polyprotein (vHCV1-3011). Immunisation with 10(9)pfu of RAdNS3 induced anti-NS3 humoral, T helper and T cytotoxic responses. We identified eight epitopes recognised by IFN-gamma producing cells, five of them exhibiting lytic activity. Moreover, we show that RAdNS3 immunised mice were protected against challenge with vHCV1-3011 and that this protection was mediated by CD8(+) cells. In conclusion, our results suggest that adenoviral vectors encoding NS3 might be useful for the induction of prophylactic and/or therapeutic anti-HCV immunity.

• Authors: Laura Arribillaga, Ascensión López Díaz de Cerio, Pablo Sarobe, Noelia Casares, Marta Gorraiz, Africa Vales, Oscar Bruna-Romero, Francisco Borrás-Cuesta, Glaucia Paranhos-Baccala, Jesús Prieto, Juan Ruiz, Juan José Lasarte
• Journal: Vaccine (Vaccine) Vol. 21 Issue 3-4 Pg. 202-10 (Dec 13 2002) ISSN: 0264-410X [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 12450695 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Hepatitis C Antibodies
• NS3 protein, hepatitis C virus
• Vaccines, Synthetic
• Viral Hepatitis Vaccines
• Viral Nonstructural Proteins

Topics

• Adenoviridae (genetics, immunology)
• Animals
• Cell Line
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Genetic Vectors (immunology)
• Hepacivirus (immunology)
• Hepatitis C (prevention & control)
• Hepatitis C Antibodies (biosynthesis)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic (immunology)
• Vaccination
• Vaccines, Synthetic (immunology)
• Viral Hepatitis Vaccines (immunology)
• Viral Nonstructural Proteins (administration & dosage, genetics, immunology)