DNA vaccination protects mice against challenge with Listeria monocytogenes expressing the hepatitis C virus NS3 protein.

ABSTRACT: The goal of this study was to develop a new surrogate challenge model for use in evaluating protective cell-mediated immune responses against hepatitis C virus (HCV) antigens. The use of recombinant Listeria monocytogenes organisms which express HCV antigens provides novel tools with which to assay such in vivo protection, as expression of immunity against this hepatotropic bacterial pathogen is dependent on antigen-specific CD8(+) T lymphocytes. A plasmid DNA vaccine encoding a ubiquitin-NS3 fusion protein was generated, and its efficacy was confirmed by in vivo induction of NS3-specific, gamma interferon-secreting T cells following vaccination of BALB/c mice. These immunized mice also exhibited specific in vivo protection against subsequent challenge with a recombinant L. monocytogenes s

SUBMITTER: Simon BE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC219586 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature