DNA vaccine for hepatitis B: evidence for immunogenicity in chimpanzees and comparison with other vaccines

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1996 Jul 9;93(14):7213-8. doi: 10.1073/pnas.93.14.7213.

Abstract

Vaccination of two chimpanzees against hepatitis B virus (HBV) by intramuscular injection of plasmid DNA encoding the major and middle HBV envelope proteins induced group-, subtype- and preS2-specific antibodies. These were initially of IgM isotype, and then they were of IgG (predominantly IgGl) isotype. The chimpanzee injected with 2 mg of DNA attained >100 milli-international units/ml of anti-HBs antibody after one injection and 14,000 milli-international units/ml after four injections. A smaller dose (400 microg) induced lower and transient titers, but a strong anamnestic response occurred 1 year later. Comparison with responses in 23 chimpanzees receiving various antigen-based HBV vaccines suggests that the DNA approach is promising for prophylactic immunization against HBV.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation
  • DNA, Viral*
  • Hepatitis B / immunology*
  • Hepatitis B / prevention & control*
  • Hepatitis B Antibodies / biosynthesis
  • Hepatitis B Antibodies / blood*
  • Hepatitis B virus / immunology*
  • Immunoglobulin G / biosynthesis
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood*
  • Immunoglobulin Isotypes / biosynthesis
  • Immunoglobulin Isotypes / blood
  • Immunoglobulin M / biosynthesis
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood*
  • Pan troglodytes
  • Plasmids
  • Time Factors
  • Vaccines, Synthetic*
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / immunology*
  • Viral Vaccines*

Substances

  • DNA, Viral
  • Hepatitis B Antibodies
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin Isotypes
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Vaccines, Synthetic
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • Viral Vaccines