Humanized mouse model reveals the immunogenicity of Hepatitis B Virus vaccine candidates produced in CRISPR/Cas9-edited <i>Nicotiana benthamiana</i>.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection is still an ongoing public health issue worldwide. The most efficient tool in preventing HBV infection remains vaccination and significant efforts have been made in the last decade to improve current HBV vaccines. Owing to the strict HBV tropism for the human liver, developing animal models for preclinical screening of vaccine candidates is extremely challenging. To date, there are only a few reports regarding the use of humanized mouse models for the evaluation of the immunogenic properties of viral antigens.

Methods

Previously we showed that a Nicotiana benthamiana-produced HBV-S/preS1^16-42 antigen elicited strong HBV-specific immune responses in BALB/c mice. In the current study, we used immunodeficient NOD.

SUBMITTER: Caras I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12014679 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature