HCV core protein immunization with Montanide/CpG elicits strong Th1/Th2 and long-lived CTL responses

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2007 Mar 16;354(3):641-9. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.12.232. Epub 2007 Jan 12.

Abstract

An efficient vaccine against Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection requires induction of strong humoral and cellular responses against viral proteins. We evaluated the immunogenicity of HCV core protein (HCVcp), a prime vaccine candidate, formulated in various human compatible adjuvants. An Escherichia coli-expressed HCVcp, purified in native conditions was used for murine immunization in separate groups of: free HCVcp (Ag), Ag+C/IFA (Freunds), Ag+CpG, Ag+M720 (Montanide ISA 720), Ag+F127 (Pluronic acid) and cocktails of Ag+F127+CpG and Ag+M720+CpG. Mice immunized with M720(+CpG) developed the highest HCVcp-specific titers of total IgG, IgG1, 2a, 2b, and that of IFN-gamma and IL-4 cytokines compared to all other groups. HCVcp-specific-CTLs against relevant MHC class I peptides were detected only for Ag+M720+CpG, Ag+M720, and Ag+CpG groups and could be blocked by antimouse-CD8 antibodies. While CTLs were stable, only F127 formulated groups demonstrated detectable IgG antibodies one year post-immunization. Hence, HCVcp formulated in M720 (with a synergistic effect by inclusion of CpG) could induce balanced and strong Th1/Th2 responses with long-lived CD4(-)CD8(+) CTLs.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / administration & dosage
  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Anti-HIV Agents / pharmacology*
  • Base Sequence
  • CpG Islands*
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Hepatitis C Antigens / blood
  • Hepatitis C Antigens / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Interferon-gamma / blood
  • Interleukin-4 / blood
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Mannitol / administration & dosage
  • Mannitol / analogs & derivatives
  • Mannitol / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Oleic Acids / administration & dosage
  • Oleic Acids / pharmacology
  • Th1 Cells / drug effects*
  • Th1 Cells / immunology
  • Th2 Cells / drug effects*
  • Th2 Cells / immunology
  • Viral Core Proteins / blood
  • Viral Core Proteins / immunology*

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Hepatitis C Antigens
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Oleic Acids
  • Viral Core Proteins
  • nucleocapsid protein, Hepatitis C virus
  • Interleukin-4
  • mannide monooleate
  • Mannitol
  • Interferon-gamma