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Weigand K, Voigt F, Encke J, Hoyler B, Stremmel W, Eisenbach C. Vaccination with dendritic cells pulsed with hepatitis C pseudo particles induces specific immune responses in mice. World J Gastroenterol 2012; 18:785-93. [PMID: 22371638 PMCID: PMC3286141 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i8.785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2011] [Revised: 03/26/2011] [Accepted: 06/13/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To explore dendritic cells (DCs) multiple functions in immune modulation. METHODS We used bone-marrow derived dendritic cells from BALB/c mice pulsed with pseudo particles from the hepatitis C virus to vaccinate naive BALB/c mice. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) pseudo particles consist of the genotype 1b derived envelope proteins E1 and E2, covering a non-HCV core structure. Thus, not a single epitope, but the whole "viral surface" induces immunogenicity. For vaccination, mature and activated DC were injected subcutaneously twice. RESULTS Humoral and cellular immune responses measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and interferon-gamma enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot test showed antibody production as well as T-cells directed against HCV. Furthermore, T-cell responses confirmed two highly immunogenic regions in E1 and E2 outside the hypervariable region 1. CONCLUSION Our results indicate dendritic cells as a promising vaccination model for HCV infection that should be evaluated further.
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The kinetics of hepatitis C virus-specific CD8 T-cell responses in the blood mirror those in the liver in acute hepatitis C virus infection. J Virol 2008; 82:9782-8. [PMID: 18667501 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00475-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Peripheral blood T-cell responses are used as biomarkers in hepatitis C virus (HCV) vaccine trials. However, it is not clear how T-cell responses in the blood correlate with those in the liver, the infection site. By studying serial liver and blood samples of five vaccinated and five mock-vaccinated control chimpanzees during acute HCV infection, we demonstrate a correlation between HCV-specific CD8 T-cell responses in the blood and molecular and functional markers of T-cell responses in the liver. Thus, HCV-specific CD8 T-cell responses in the blood are valid markers for intrahepatic T-cell activity.
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Virus-specific T-cell immunity correlates with control of GB virus B infection in marmosets. J Virol 2007; 82:3054-60. [PMID: 18094181 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01153-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
GB virus B (GBV-B) is a hepatotropic virus that is closely related to hepatitis C virus (HCV). GBV-B causes acute hepatitis in infected marmosets and tamarins and is therefore a useful small-animal model for the study of HCV. We investigated virus-specific T-cell responses in marmosets infected with GBV-B. Gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay responses in the peripheral blood of two marmosets were assessed throughout the course of GBV-B infection. These T-cell responses were directed against the GBV-B nonstructural proteins 3 (NS3), 4A (NS4A), and 5B (NS5B), and their appearance was temporally associated with clearance of viremia. These marmosets were then rechallenged with GBV-B at least 3 months after clearance of the primary infection to determine if the animals were protected from reinfection. There was no detectable viremia following reinfection, although a sharp increase in T-cell responses against GBV-B proteins was observed. Epitope mapping of T-cell responses to GBV-B was performed with liver and blood samples from both marmosets after rechallenge with GBV-B. Three shared, immunodominant T-cell epitopes within NS3 were identified in animals with multiple common major histocompatibility complex class I alleles. IFN-gamma ELISPOT responses were also detected in the livers of two marmosets that had resolved a primary GBV-B infection. These responses were high in frequency and were directed against epitopes within GBV-B NS3, NS4A, and NS5B proteins. These results indicate that virus-specific T-cell responses are detectable in the liver and blood of GBV-B-infected marmosets and that the clearance of GBV-B is associated with the appearance of these responses.
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Encke J, Radunz W, Eisenbach C, Geib J, Gehrke S, Pfaff E, Stremmel W. Development of a heterologous, multigenotype vaccine against hepatitis C virus infection. Eur J Clin Invest 2007; 37:396-406. [PMID: 17461986 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2362.2007.01802.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Unquestionably viral diversity and genetic heterogeneity in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and other viral diseases play an essential role in viral immune escape and the development of chronicity. Despite this knowledge most vaccine approaches against HCV have excluded this important issue. Moreover the feasibility of developing an effective HCV vaccine has been questioned, mainly because prophylactic immunity against HCV cannot be achieved in chimpanzees by either vaccination or previous HCV infection, and reinfection in men has been reported, most likely due to genetic shift and immune escape. To analyse and characterize a new technique of a 'multigenotype'- and/or 'library'-vaccine, we established an envelope 1 (E1) plasmid vaccine against HCV and characterized humoral and cellular immune responses after vaccination in a mouse model. MATERIAL AND METHODS Normally genetic information of one or two target proteins is cloned into a DNA-vaccine. In our approach we cloned a defined number of different genotypes and subtypes (defined vaccine, DV) or the genetic information from 20 patients (undefined) into a plasmid (library vaccine, LV). RESULTS As expected, immunized animals showed both stronger humoral (ELISA) and cellular (T-cell proliferation, ELISPOT) immune responses against genotype 1, since the stimulating antigen was genotype 1 derived. However, not all genotype 1 immunized animals recognized this viral antigen leading to the assumption that some epitopes lost their immunogenicity through a change in the amino acid sequence. Interestingly, some of the genotype 4 and 5 immunized mice sera were able to react against E1 protein. CONCLUSION Most of the assays showed immune reactivity against the DV or LV vaccine demonstrating the cross-reactive potential of such a vaccination approach. This cloning and immunization strategy based on the viral heterogeneity of the virus has in our view major implications for HCV, a virus with a broad viral genetic diversity, and may become in the future in the context of DNA- or viral-based vaccination strategies a possibility to overcome viral immune escape both in the prophylactic or therapeutic setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Encke
- University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Encke J, Findeklee J, Geib J, Pfaff E, Stremmel W. Prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination with dendritic cells against hepatitis C virus infection. Clin Exp Immunol 2005; 142:362-9. [PMID: 16232225 PMCID: PMC1809503 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2005.02919.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Antigen uptake and presentation capacities enable DC to prime and activate T cells. Recently, several studies demonstrated a diminished DC function in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected patients showing impaired abilities to stimulate allogenic T cells and to produce IFN-gamma in HCV infected patients. Moreover, DC of patients who have resolved HCV infection behave like DC from healthy donors responding to maturation stimuli, decrease antigen uptake, up-regulate expression of appropriate surface marker, and are potent stimulators of allogenic T cells. A number of studies have demonstrated in tumour models and models of infectious diseases strong induction of immune responses after DC vaccination. Because DC are essential for T-cell activation and since viral clearance in HCV infected patients is associated with a vigorous T-cell response, we propose a new type of HCV vaccine based on ex vivo stimulated and matured DC loaded with HCV specific antigens. This vaccine circumvents the impaired DC maturation and the down regulated DC function of HCV infected patients in vivo by giving the necessary maturation stimuli and the HCV antigens in a different setting and location ex vivo. Strong humoral and cellular immune responses were detected after HCV core DC vaccination. Furthermore, DC vaccination shows partial protection in a therapeutic and prophylactic model of HCV infection. In conclusion, mice immunized with HCV core pulsed DC generated a specific antiviral response in a mouse HCV challenge model. Our results indicate that HCV core pulsed DC may serve as a new modality for immunotherapy of HCV especially in chronically infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Encke
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
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Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). Transfus Med Hemother 2005. [DOI: 10.1159/000087619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Gowans EJ, Jones KL, Bharadwaj M, Jackson DC. Prospects for dendritic cell vaccination in persistent infection with hepatitis C virus. J Clin Virol 2004; 30:283-90. [PMID: 15163415 PMCID: PMC4526278 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2004.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 03/10/2004] [Accepted: 03/11/2004] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Although hepatitis C virus (HCV) is classified in the Hepacivirus genus in the family Flaviviridae, it is unlike most of the other members of this family due to its propensity to cause persistent infections. This persistent infection eventually results in chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in a proportion of infected individuals. It has been difficult to examine correlates of clearance or persistence because most acute phase HCV infections are subclinical or result in symptoms which are non-specific; consequently, acute infections are not generally recognised and patients often present many years later with persistent infection and accompanying chronic liver disease. Nevertheless, seminal studies, performed during the acute phase, have identified a number of factors which are likely to influence the outcome of infection, although it is possible that the mechanism is multifactorial. One of these factors is impairment of dendritic cell function by a mechanism resulting from expression of an HCV protein(s) in these cells. This may be a major factor in the failure of the immune response to expand after HCV infection, leading to persistence. Nevertheless, it may be possible to overcome this defect by autologous transfusion of HCV antigen-loaded, mature dendritic cells and the purpose of this review is to highlight the need and general approaches for developing dendritic cell-based immunotherapy for HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J Gowans
- Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, GPO Box 2284, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia.
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Jeong SH, Qiao M, Nascimbeni M, Hu Z, Rehermann B, Murthy K, Liang TJ. Immunization with hepatitis C virus-like particles induces humoral and cellular immune responses in nonhuman primates. J Virol 2004; 78:6995-7003. [PMID: 15194776 PMCID: PMC421664 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.78.13.6995-7003.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
We have previously reported the production of hepatitis C virus-like particles (HCV-LP) using a recombinant baculovirus containing the cDNA of the HCV structural proteins (core, E1, and E2). These particles resemble the putative HCV virions and are capable of inducing strong and broad humoral and cellular immune responses in mice. Here we present evidence on the immunogenicity of HCV-LP and the effects of novel adjuvant systems in a nonhuman primate model, the baboon. Three groups of four baboons were immunized with HCV-LP, HCV-LP and adjuvant AS01B (monophosphoryl lipid A and QS21), or HCV-LP and the combination of AS01B and CpG oligodeoxynucleotides 10105. After four immunizations over an 8-month period, all animals developed HCV-specific humoral and cellular immune responses including antibodies to HCV structural proteins and gamma interferon(+) (IFN-gamma(+))CD4(+) and IFN-gamma(+)CD8(+) T-cell responses. The immunogenicity of HCV-LP was only marginally enhanced by the use of adjuvants. The overall HCV-specific immune responses were broad and long lasting. Our results suggest that HCV-LP is a potent immunogen to induce HCV-specific humoral and cellular immune responses in primates and may be a promising approach to develop novel preventive and therapeutic modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sook-Hyang Jeong
- Liver Disease Section, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Farci P, Strazzera R, Alter HJ, Farci S, Degioannis D, Coiana A, Peddis G, Usai F, Serra G, Chessa L, Diaz G, Balestrieri A, Purcell RH. Early changes in hepatitis C viral quasispecies during interferon therapy predict the therapeutic outcome. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2002; 99:3081-6. [PMID: 11880647 PMCID: PMC122476 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.052712599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite recent treatment advances, the majority of patients with chronic hepatitis C fail to respond to antiviral therapy. Although the genetic basis for this resistance is unknown, accumulated evidence suggests that changes in the heterogeneous viral population (quasispecies) may be an important determinant of viral persistence and response to therapy. Sequences within hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope 1 and envelope 2 genes, inclusive of the hypervariable region 1, were analyzed in parallel with the level of viral replication in serial serum samples obtained from 23 patients who exhibited different patterns of response to therapy and from untreated controls. Our study provides evidence that although the viral diversity before treatment does not predict the response to treatment, the early emergence and dominance of a single viral variant distinguishes patients who will have a sustained therapeutic response from those who subsequently will experience a breakthrough or relapse. A dramatic reduction in genetic diversity leading to an increasingly homogeneous viral population was a consistent feature associated with viral clearance in sustained responders and was independent of HCV genotype. The persistence of variants present before treatment in patients who fail to respond or who experience a breakthrough during therapy strongly suggests the preexistence of viral strains with inherent resistance to IFN. Thus, the study of the evolution of the HCV quasispecies provides prognostic information as early as the first 2 weeks after starting therapy and opens perspectives for elucidating the mechanisms of treatment failure in chronic hepatitis C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Farci
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy.
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Fournillier A, Wychowski C, Boucreux D, Baumert TF, Meunier JC, Jacobs D, Muguet S, Depla E, Inchauspé G. Induction of hepatitis C virus E1 envelope protein-specific immune response can be enhanced by mutation of N-glycosylation sites. J Virol 2001; 75:12088-97. [PMID: 11711599 PMCID: PMC116104 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.75.24.12088-12097.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2001] [Accepted: 09/06/2001] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Deglycosylation of viral glycoproteins has been shown to influence the number of available epitopes and to modulate immune recognition of antigens. We investigated the role played by N-glycans in the immunogenicity of hepatitis C virus (HCV) E1 envelope glycoprotein, a naturally poor immunogen. Eight plasmids were engineered, encoding E1 protein mutants in which the four N-linked glycosylation sites of the protein were mutated separately or in combination. In vitro expression studies showed an influence of N-linked glycosylation on expression efficiency, instability, and/or secretion of the mutated proteins. Immunogenicity of the E1 mutants was studied in BALB/c mice following intramuscular and intraepidermal injection of the plasmids. Whereas some mutations had no or only minor effects on the antibody titers induced, mutation of the fourth glycosylation site (N4) significantly enhanced the anti-E1 humoral response in terms of both seroconversion rates and antibody titers. Moreover, antibody induced by the N4 mutant was able to recognize HCV-like particles with higher titers than those induced by the wild-type construct. Epitope mapping indicated that the E1 mutant antigens induced antibody directed at two major domains: one, located at amino acids (aa) 313 to 332, which is known to be reactive with sera from HCV patients, and a second one, located in the N-terminal domain of E1 (aa 192 to 226). Analysis of the induced immune cellular response confirmed the induction of gamma interferon-producing cells by all mutants, albeit to different levels. These results show that N-linked glycosylation can limit the antibody response to the HCV E1 protein and reveal a potential vaccine candidate with enhanced immunogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Fournillier
- Unité Mixte CNRS/BioMérieux, 69364 Lyon Cédex 07, France
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Wang QM, Heinz BA. Recent advances in prevention and treatment of hepatitis C virus infections. PROGRESS IN DRUG RESEARCH. FORTSCHRITTE DER ARZNEIMITTELFORSCHUNG. PROGRES DES RECHERCHES PHARMACEUTIQUES 2001; Spec No:79-110. [PMID: 11548211 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-0348-7784-8_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the leading cause of chronic hepatitis in humans. As members of the flavivirus family, HCVs are a group of small single-stranded, positive-sense RNA viruses. Upon translation of the genome, a polyprotein precursor is synthesized and further processed by both cellular and viral proteases to generate functional viral proteins. Treatment options are currently limited to the administration of alpha-interferon alone or in combination with ribavirin. Unfortunately, these approaches are characterized by relatively poor efficacy and an unfavorable side-effect profile. Therefore, intensive effort is directed at the discovery of novel molecules to treat this disease. These new approaches include the development of prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines, the identification of interferons with improved pharmacokinetic characteristics, and the discovery of novel drugs designed to inhibit the function of three major viral proteins: protease, helicase and polymerase. Finally, the HCV RNA genome itself, particularly the IRES element, is being actively exploited as an antiviral target using antisense molecules and catalytic ribozymes. This review summarizes the most recent findings in each of these areas. Although not intended to be comprehensive, it should serve as a first resource for those individuals who desire updated information in this rapidly changing field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Q M Wang
- Infectious Diseases Research, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA
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Alter HJ, Houghton M. Clinical Medical Research Award. Hepatitis C virus and eliminating post-transfusion hepatitis. Nat Med 2000; 6:1082-6. [PMID: 11017126 DOI: 10.1038/80394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- H J Alter
- Immunology Section, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center NIH Building 10, Room 1C711, 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesdsa, Maryland 20892, USA
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