Vaccination against hepatitis C virus with dendritic cells transduced with an adenovirus encoding NS3 protein

Mol Ther. 2008 Jan;16(1):210-7. doi: 10.1038/sj.mt.6300333. Epub 2007 Oct 9.

Abstract

Chronic infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV) is characterized by the absence of efficient antiviral T-cell responses. Thus, vaccination strategies to induce strong anti-HCV T-cell responses are of paramount importance for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes. Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most potent antigen presenting cells; therefore, immunization with these cells loaded with viral antigens offers a new approach for induction of antiviral immunity. Here we show that immunization with DCs transfected with an adenovirus encoding non-structural 3 protein, from HCV (AdNS3), induced multiepitopic CD4 T helper cell 1 (Th1) and CD8 T-cell responses in different mouse strains. These responses prevented the growth of a tumorexpressing HCV proteins, in short- and long-term experiments. Moreover, immunization with AdNS3-transfected DCs did not induce anti-adenoviral antibodies, as compared to direct immunization with AdNS3, but elicited T-cell responses even in the presence of pre-existing anti-adenoviral antibodies. Finally, responses induced by this protocol down-regulated the expression of HCV RNA in the liver. In conclusion, DCs transfected with AdNS3 may prove to be an efficient anti-HCV vaccine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae* / immunology
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism*
  • Dendritic Cells / transplantation*
  • Female
  • Genetic Vectors* / immunology
  • Hepacivirus / immunology*
  • Hepatitis C / immunology
  • Hepatitis C / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Transduction, Genetic*
  • Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / genetics
  • Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / immunology
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / genetics*
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / immunology

Substances

  • NS3 protein, hepatitis C virus
  • Viral Hepatitis Vaccines
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins