Hepatitis E virus chimeric DNA vaccine elicits immunologic response in mice

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Virology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Hepatitis E virus (HEV) poses a significant global health challenge.
• Developing effective vaccines against HEV is crucial for public health.
• Understanding HEV structural protein functions is key to vaccine design.

Purpose of the Study:

• To construct a chimeric gene plasmid (pcHEV23) encoding HEV ORF2 and ORF3 fragments.
• To evaluate the immunogenicity of the pcHEV23 DNA vaccine in a mouse model.
• To assess the elicited humoral and cellular immune responses against HEV.

Main Methods:

• HEV ORF2 and ORF3 gene fragments were amplified using PCR.
• Amplified genes were cloned into the pcDNA3 eukaryotic expression plasmid.
• BALB/c mice were immunized intramuscularly with pcHEV23 DNA vaccine.
• Immune responses were analyzed in vaccinated and control groups.

Main Results:

• Mice vaccinated with pcHEV23 exhibited anti-HEV IgG seroconversion after 2-3 inoculations.
• Specific T lymphocyte proliferation was detected in pcHEV23-immunized mice.
• The lymphocyte stimulation index was significantly higher in the pcHEV23 group compared to controls (P<0.01).

Conclusions:

• The pcHEV23 DNA vaccine effectively induces specific humoral immunity against HEV.
• The vaccine also elicits a specific cellular immune response in mice.
• This chimeric gene DNA vaccine demonstrates potential for HEV prevention strategies.