Abstract
We have recently described the production of hepatitis C virus-like particles (HCV-LPs) in insect cells that resemble the putative virions. Here we evaluate the humoral and cellular immunogenicity of the virus-like particles with or without viral p7 protein, a small viral polypeptide that resides between the structural and nonstructural regions of the HCV polyprotein and whose function has not been defined. Immunized BALB/c mice developed high titers of anti-E2 antibodies and virus-specific cellular immune responses including cytotoxic T lymphocytes and T helper responses with gamma interferon production. The virus-like particles without p7 generated a higher cellular immune response with a more TH1 profile than the particles with p7. Immunization of heat-denatured particles resulted in substantially lower humoral and cellular responses, suggesting that the immunogenicity is strongly dependent on particle formation. Administration of CpG oligonucleotide or cationic lipid 3β-[N-(N′,N′-dimethylaminoethane)carbamoyl]-cholesterol (DC-Chol), two potent adjuvants, did not significantly enhance the immunogenicity of HCV-LPs. Our results indicate that HCV-LPs can induce humoral and cellular immune responses and offer a promising approach to vaccine development.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 417-423 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Hepatology |
Volume | 34 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2001 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Hepatology