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Hepatitis E virus DNA vaccine elicits immunologic memory in mice
1Department of Virus Diseases, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA. Junkun.he@na.amedd.army.mil
Journal of Biomedical Science
|April 5, 2001
Summary
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) DNA vaccination in mice generated immunologic memory, evidenced by a rapid and significant antibody increase upon re-exposure. This suggests potential protection against HEV infection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection poses a significant global health challenge.
- HEV structural protein open reading frame 2 gene vaccination in BALB/c mice elicits a robust antibody response.
- The persistence of immunologic memory after HEV vaccination requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the presence and durability of immunologic memory following HEV DNA vaccination.
- To evaluate the antibody response in previously vaccinated mice upon subsequent HEV DNA vaccine administration.
Main Methods:
- BALB/c mice received three doses of HEV DNA vaccine or a control vector 18 months prior.
- A booster dose of HEV DNA vaccine was administered to all mice.
- Serum samples were collected at various time points post-booster and analyzed for anti-HEV IgG levels using ELISA.
Main Results:
- Mice with prior HEV DNA vaccination showed a significant increase in anti-HEV IgG titers (108-fold geometric mean increase) 40 days after the booster dose.
- A rapid, albeit slight, increase in IgG was observed as early as 10 days post-booster in previously immunized mice.
- Control mice that received only the vector showed no detectable antibody response.
Conclusions:
- HEV DNA vaccination induces long-lasting immunologic memory in mice.
- This memory facilitates a rapid and potent antibody response upon subsequent antigenic challenge.
- The findings suggest that HEV DNA vaccination could offer protective immunity against hepatitis E.