Alphavirus-based hepatitis C virus therapeutic vaccines: can universal helper epitopes enhance HCV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Antigen-specific T cell immune responses play a pivotal role in resolving acute and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. Currently, no prophylactic or therapeutic vaccines against HCV are available. We previously demonstrated the preclinical potency of therapeutic HCV vaccines based on recombinant Semliki Forest virus (SFV) replicon particles. However, clinical trials do not always meet the high expectations of preclinical studies, thus, optimization of vaccine strategies is crucial. In efforts to further increase the frequency of HCV-specific immune responses in the candidate SFV-based vaccines, the authors assessed whether inclusion of three strong, so-called universal helper T cell epitopes, and an endoplasmic reticulum localization, and retention signal (colle

SUBMITTER: Koutsoumpli G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6777054 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature