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Analysis of HBV-Specific CD4 T-cell Responses and Identification of HLA-DR-Restricted CD4 T-Cell Epitopes Based on a Peptide Matrix
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Boosting immune response to hepatitis B DNA vaccine by coadministration of Prothymosin alpha-expressing plasmid
Yanwen Jin1, Cheng Cao, Ping Li
1P.O. Box 130(8), 27 Taiping Rd., Beijing 100850, China. caoc@nic.bmi.ac.cn
Abstract:
DNA vaccines induce protective humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in several animal models. However, compared to conventional vaccines, DNA vaccines usually induce poor antibody responses. In this study, we report that coadministration of a hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA vaccine with prothymosin alpha as an adjuvant improves antibody responses to HBV S antigen. We also observed higher seroconversion rates and higher antibody titers. Prothymosin alpha appears to increase the number and affinity of hepatitis B surface antigen-specific, gamma interferon-secreting T cells and to enhance cellular immune response to the PreS2S DNA vaccine. Interestingly, administering the DNA separately from the prothymosin alpha plasmid abrogated the enhancement of DNA vaccine potency. The results suggest that prothymosin alpha may be a promising adjuvant for DNA vaccines.
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