免疫共刺激分子OX40L对乙型肝炎核酸疫苗的免疫佐剂作用

[目的]为了进一步增强HBV DNA疫苗的免疫反应,本研究将共刺激分子OX40L 作为HBV DNA疫苗的分子佐剂免疫小鼠,旨在探讨共刺激分子OX40L对HBV DNA疫苗诱导体液和细胞免疫应答的影响.[方法]我们将HBV DNA疫苗(pcDS2)单独或联合共刺激分子质粒pOX40L免疫C57BL/6小鼠;分别在第0,2,4周进行免疫,在第6周检测抗-HBs IgG、IgG1和IgG2a,T淋巴细胞增殖指数,细胞因子表达水平和体内细胞毒性T淋巴细胞杀伤作用(CTL)等免疫学指标.[结果]pceDS2联合pOX40L免疫组小鼠的抗-HBs水平显著提高,抗-HBs IgG亚类以IgG2a占优;免疫小鼠的T淋巴细胞体外经乙型肝炎表面抗原(HBsAg)刺激后,联合免疫组刺激指数(SI)明显高于pcDS2组;联合免疫组CD4 + T淋巴细胞的IL-4和IFN-γ表达水平及CD8 + T淋巴细胞的IFN-γ表达水平显著升高;DNA疫苗免疫的各组小鼠,HBsAg特异性体内CTL高于对照组,其中联合免疫组小鼠的体内CTL杀伤作用最强.[结论]共刺激分子OX40L不仅能增强HBV DNA疫苗诱导特异性体液免疫应答,还能增强特异性细胞免疫反应,尤其增强体内CTL的杀伤活性,为HBV DNA疫苗的研究奠定了基础.     

聚乙二醇作为乙型肝炎病毒DNA疫苗佐剂的体外试验

摘要：【目的】研究聚乙二醇作为佐剂是否能够增强HBV DNA疫苗体液和细胞免疫效果。【方法】我们将乙型肝炎病毒(HBV) DNA 疫苗（pVAX-S2）单独或PEG/pVAX-S2免疫C57BL/6小鼠,在最后一次免疫1 d检测抗-HBs IgG、T淋巴细胞增殖、细胞因子表达及体内细胞毒T淋巴细胞杀伤作用（CTL）等免疫学指标。【结果】结果表明,与仅免疫pVAX-S2比,PEG/ pVAX-S2能够增加免疫小鼠抗-HBs IgG水平; 混合免疫组的T淋巴细胞体外经乙肝表面抗原（HBsAg）刺激后,T淋巴细     

佐剂CpG-ODN与重组HBsAg疫苗联合免疫乙型肝炎病毒转基因小鼠的免疫应答研究

目的 以CpG-ODN为佐剂与重组HBsAg(rHBsAg)疫苗合用,研究其对乙型肝炎病毒转基因(HBV Tg)小鼠模型的免疫应答效果.方法 40只HBV Tg小鼠随机分为4组,每组小鼠分别注射rHBsAg疫苗(单用rHBsAg组)、rHBsAg疫苗+CpG-ODN(试验组)、rIFNα-2b(IFN组)、生理盐水(对照组).经多次免疫HBV转基因小鼠,于免疫前、后不同时间采血,动态观察各组小鼠血清中HBsAg量、抗-HBs阳性率和HBV DNA的变化,检测肝组织中HBsAg的表达.检测免疫小鼠的外周血T淋巴细胞亚群和白细胞介素2(IL-2)、IL-12(p70)以及γ干扰素(IFN-γ)的含量,分别检测免疫小鼠的脾细胞增殖和细胞毒性T淋巴细胞(CTL)杀伤功能并计算各组小鼠肝组织活性指数(HAI).结果 rHBsAg组和rHBsAg+CpG组在免疫小鼠后2周100%诱导抗-HBs;rHBsAg+CpG组能显著降低血清中的HBsAg量或使HBsAg转阴,rHBsAg+CpG组肝组织中HBsAg的表达量与血清中一样降低,并降低血清中HBV DNA的拷贝数.rHBsAg组的CD3+、CD4+、CD8+细胞在T细胞中所占百分比,IL-2、IL-12(p70)和IFN-γ的含量以及淋巴细胞特异性增殖和杀伤效应均明显高于对照组(P＜0.05).rHBsAg+CpG组与rHBsAg组比较,免疫小鼠产生更强的HBV特异性细胞应答(P＜0.05),且以Th1型细胞免疫应答为主.在rHBsAg+CpG组肝组织中出现大量淋巴细胞,肝脏的HAI在4个组中最高.结论 CpG-ODN作为佐剂可以增强重组HBsAg疫苗诱导HBV转基因小鼠产生抗病毒免疫应答,重组HBsAg疫苗辅以CpG ODN可作为免疫治疗慢性HBV感染的可行性途经.     

DNA疫苗预敏蛋白疫苗增强策略对乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原蛋白免疫应答的影响

目的:观察核酸疫苗预敏,乙型肝炎病毒HBsAg蛋白疫苗增强的免疫对Balb/c小鼠免疫应答的影响.方法:以TransfectionTM脂质体将乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原中蛋白(MHBs)核酸疫苗pSW3891/MHBs/adr(简称为adr),及空载体pSW3891(简称vector)体外转染293T细胞.免疫印迹法(Western blot)检测adr,vector的体外表达;动物体内研究选用Balb/c小鼠共18只,每组6只,编号后随机分为3组,即空载体质粒组(vector+vector组)、adr核酸疫苗+HBsAg蛋白疫苗(adr+protein组)、HBsAg蛋白疫苗+HBsAg蛋白疫苗(Protein+Protein组);于第0周肌肉注射法分别以vector、adr及HBsAg蛋白疫苗免疫小鼠,于第4周肌内注射法分剐以vector、HBsAg蛋白疫苗、及HBsAg蛋白疫苗免疫小鼠.采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测小鼠血清HBsAg特异性抗体、酶联免疫斑点(ELISPOT)法检测小鼠脾细胞HBsAg多肽特异性IFN-γ分泌细胞.结果:adr体外转染293T细胞后,能够表达乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原中蛋白(MHBs);体内研究结果显示:除vector+vector组外,adr+protein组、Protein+Protein组小鼠均能检出血清抗-HBs,Protein+Protein组抗-HBs终点滴度比adr+protein组高,但无统计学意义;三组中vector+vector组没有检测到特异性INF-γ分泌的脾细胞,而adr+protein组、Protein+Protein组小鼠均能检出,且adr+protein组特异性细胞数量显著高于protein+protein组(P＜0.001),具有统计学意义.结论:乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原中蛋白(MHBs)核酸疫苗预敏.能明显增强Balb/c小鼠对乙型肝炎HBsAg蛋白疫苗细胞免疫应答水平.     

大剂量HBsAg 对HBV 转基因小鼠T 细胞免疫调节的研究

目的:研究大剂量HBsAg对HBV转基因小鼠其T细胞免疫效果的影响。方法:用大剂量血源性HBsAg免疫HBV转基因小鼠,采用ELISA方法观察转基因小鼠所诱生的HBsAg特异性Th1类细胞因子的水平,ELISPOT方法检测不同免疫方案对小鼠HBsAg特异性分泌IFN-γT细胞数量的影响,同时检测对小鼠淋巴细胞增殖的影响。结果:HBsAg组免疫后脾细胞产生的Th1类细胞因子(IFN-γ、IL-2)、HBsAg特异性分泌IFN-γT细胞及T细胞增殖水平较对照组显著增加(P<0.05)。结论:大剂量的HBs-Ag可以诱导乙肝转基因小鼠产生高水平Th1类细胞因子并打破免疫耐受。     

携带HBV包膜大蛋白DNA疫苗的减毒沙门菌在小鼠诱导免疫应答

探索一种简便、有效的乙型肝炎病毒DNA疫苗免疫方法。将编码绿色荧光蛋白的真核表达质粒pEGFPN1转化到减毒鼠伤寒沙门菌SL7207,灌胃饲服BALB/c小鼠,流式细胞术检测出小鼠脾细胞内表达的绿色荧光蛋白;构建编码HBV包膜大蛋白的DNA疫苗pCIS1S2S,分别以SL7207为载体的口服途径或直接肌肉注射途径免疫BALB/c小鼠,检测小鼠的血清抗体、T细胞增殖和细胞毒性T淋巴细胞反应,结果表明两种免疫途径均能在小鼠体内诱生细胞和体液免疫应答,但口服途径诱导免疫应答的强度明显强于肌肉注射途径。口服携带HBV DNA疫苗的减毒伤寒沙门菌可能代表一种简便、有效的治疗乙型肝炎的新方法。      

大剂量HBsAg对HBV转基因小鼠T细胞免疫调节的研究

目的：研究大剂量HBsAg对HBV转基因小鼠其T细胞免疫效果的影响。方法：用大剂量血源性HBsAg免疫HBV转基因小鼠,采用ELISA方法观察转基因小鼠所诱生的HBsAg特异性Th1类细胞因子的水平,ELISPOT方法检测不同免疫方案对小鼠HBsAg特异性分泌IFN-γT细胞数量的影响,同时检测对小鼠淋巴细胞增殖的影响。结果：HBsAg组免疫后脾细胞产生的Th1类细胞因子（IFN-γ、IL-2）、HBsAg特异性分泌IFN-γT细胞及T细胞增殖水平较对照组显著增加（P〈0.05）。结论：大剂量的HBs-Ag可以诱导乙肝转基因小鼠产生高水平Th1类细胞因子并打破免疫耐受。     

核酸疫苗初免-蛋白疫苗加强的免疫策略提高日本血吸虫核酸疫苗免疫效果

为研制抗血吸虫疫苗提供实验依据,探讨了抗血吸虫SjGST-32核酸疫苗与蛋白疫苗联合免疫的免疫增强效应及免疫应答特征。将日本血吸虫DNA疫苗VR1012-SjGST-32与重组蛋白疫苗rSjGST-32分别在第0、2和4周免疫小鼠,在第6周攻击感染日本血吸虫尾蚴,攻击感染45 d后剖杀小鼠,计算减虫率、检卵率以及检测肝脏病理变化,观察免疫保护效果;检测小鼠血清中特异性IgG抗体滴度,T细胞增殖反应和抗原特异性CD4+IFN-γ+、CD4+IL-4+和CD4+IL-10+的数量,探讨免疫应答特征。结果显示,DNA初免-蛋白加强的联合免疫组的保护作用优于单独免疫组,显著提高了减虫率(42.3%)和减卵率(59.6%),并且能够显著减轻血吸虫虫卵对肝脏的病理损害;进一步发现,DNA疫苗和蛋白疫苗联合应用增强了机体T淋巴细胞增殖反应、抗体IgG滴度以及抗原特异性CD4+IFN-γ+的产生。这些研究为新型血吸虫疫苗的优化设计和合理应用提供了依据。     

超抗原SEA增强小鼠对HBV DNA 疫苗的免疫反应

观察超抗原SEA(D227A)的真核表达载体（pmSEA）, 对HBV DNA 疫苗诱导Balb/c 小鼠(H2d）免疫应答的调节作用。 肌内注射空载体pcDNA3、HBV DNA 疫苗加pmSEA佐剂（pHBVS2S+pmSEA）或不加佐剂（pHBVS2S）; ELISA 法测定血清抗HBs; ELISPOT检测分泌IFN-γ的脾淋巴细胞;4 h51Cr 释放法检测小鼠脾细胞CTL 活性。HBV DNA佐剂组免疫小鼠抗HBsAg抗体滴度明显高于不加佐剂组,其IgG1/IgG2a的比例不同于多肽免疫组,二者分别为0.282与10。HBV DNA佐剂组均能增强IgG1和IgG2a的产生,是不加佐剂组的1.36、1.73倍。佐剂组小鼠脾淋巴细胞IFN-γ的分泌量是不加佐剂组2～3倍。CTL 细胞杀伤活性（E:T=100）佐剂组与不加佐剂组分别为：69.77%±7.5%、 42.81%±7.7%,差异显著(P<0.05)。HBV DNA 疫苗具有较强的免疫原性, 能够诱导机体产生特异性的抗体及CTL反应;pmSEA佐剂能够提高小鼠对DNA 疫苗的免疫应答,有望成为DNA 疫苗的免疫佐剂。     

磁小体对小鼠免疫应答的影响

【目的】研究细菌磁小体对小鼠免疫应答的影响,为磁小体的体内应用提供参考依据。【方法】以卵清白蛋白(OVA)作为抗原分别与弗氏完全佐剂(阳性对照)、磁小体(BMP)悬液、PBS缓冲液(阴性对照)混合免疫小鼠。两周后检测血清中抗OVA特异性抗体及亚型、细胞因子表达水平以及淋巴细胞增殖能力。【结果】与阴性对照(PBS组)相比,BMP组在IL-2、IFN-γ和IL-4、IL-10的表达水平、淋巴细胞增殖能力、特异性抗体的产生没有明显差异。【结论】磁小体对小鼠免疫应答无显著的影响。     

The adjuvant effects of co-stimulatory molecules on cellular and memory responses to HBsAg DNA vaccination

Because DNA vaccines on their own tend to induce weak immune responses in humans, adjuvant methods are needed in order to improve their efficacy. The co-stimulatory molecules 4-1BBL, OX40L, and CD70 have been shown to induce strong T cell activities; therefore, in this study, we investigated whether they may be used as molecular adjuvants for a hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) DNA vaccine (pcDS2) in eliciting strong cellular and memory responses. Compared to mice immunized with pcDS2 alone, addition of the co-stimulatory molecules increased T cell proliferation and an HBsAg-specific antibody response that was marked with a higher ratio of IgG2a/IgG1. Importantly, pcDS2 plus these co-stimulatory molecules elicited a higher level of IFN-gamma and IL-4 in CD4(+) T cells and a higher level of IFN-gamma in CD8(+) T cells. In addition, a significantly robust antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response and the production of long-term memory CD8(+) T cells were also observed in the groups immunized with pcDS2 plus 4-1BBL, OX40L, or CD70. Consistently, as late as 100 days after immunization, upregulated expressions of BCL-2, Spi2A, IL-7Ra, and IL-15Ra were still observed in mice immunized with pcDS2 plus these co-stimulatory molecules, suggesting the generation of memory T cells in these groups. Together, these results suggest that the co-stimulatory molecules 4-1BBL, OX40L, or CD70 can enhance the immunogenicity of HBsAg DNA vaccines, resulting in strong humoral, cellular, and memory responses. This approach may lead to an effective therapeutic vaccine for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.     

超抗原SEA增强小鼠对HBV DNA 疫苗的免疫反应

观察超抗原SEA(D227A)的真核表达载体(pmSEA),对HBVDNA疫苗诱导Balbc小鼠(H2d)免疫应答的调节作用。肌内注射空载体pcDNA3、HBVDNA疫苗加pmSEA佐剂(pHBVS2S+pmSEA)或不加佐剂(pHBVS2S);ELISA法测定血清抗HBs;ELISPOT检测分泌IFNγ的脾淋巴细胞;4h51Cr释放法检测小鼠脾细胞CTL活性。HBVDNA佐剂组免疫小鼠抗HBsAg抗体滴度明显高于不加佐剂组,其IgG1IgG2a的比例不同于多肽免疫组,二者分别为0.282与10。HBVDNA佐剂组均能增强IgG1和IgG2a的产生,是不加佐剂组的1.36、1.73倍。佐剂组小鼠脾淋巴细胞IFNγ的分泌量是不加佐剂组2～3倍。CTL细胞杀伤活性(E:T=100)佐剂组与不加佐剂组分别为:69.77%±7.5%、42.81%±7.7%,差异显著(P<0.05)。HBVDNA疫苗具有较强的免疫原性,能够诱导机体产生特异性的抗体及CTL反应;pmSEA佐剂能够提高小鼠对DNA疫苗的免疫应答,有望成为DNA疫苗的免疫佐剂。     

乙型肝炎病毒全S基因疫苗诱导小鼠的特异性免疫应答

乙型肝炎病毒 (ＨＢＶ)感染是我国常见病及多发病。ＨＢＶ难以清除的原因之一就是机体的免疫功能障碍。目前虽然基因重组ＨＢＶ表面抗原 (ＨＢｓＡｇ)疫苗预防ＨＢＶ感染取得了较好的效果 ,但基因重组ＨＢｓＡｇ疫苗主要能诱导特异性体液免疫 ,不能刺激机体的细胞免疫应答。近年来发现基因疫苗可诱导机体产生细胞及体液免疫反应 ,特别是诱导细胞免疫反应的能力优于蛋白、多肽类疫苗 ,更适应于慢性病毒感染的预防与治疗[1,2 ] 。为了探讨应用ＨＢＶ基因疫苗预防ＨＢＶ感染的可能性 ,本文构建了ＨＢＶ全Ｓ基因和ＨＢｓＡｇ基因疫苗 ,观察和比…     

Hepatitis B virus surface antigen can activate dendritic cells and modulate T helper type immune response

Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) is a major antigen of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Dendritic cells (DC) of HBV carriers have been reported to exhibit functional impairment. In this study, the role of HBsAg on mice bone marrow-derived dendritic cells and immune responses in vivo was studied. The immune modulatory function of HBsAg was explored by using mice bone marrow-derived dendritic cells in vitro and also by examining an ovalbumin (OVA) specific immune response in vivo. Treatment of dendritic cells with HBsAg resulted in enhanced cell surface expression of cluster of differentiation (CD) 80, CD83, CD86, and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II, and enhanced production of interleukin (IL)-12 p40 and IL-12 p70. Treatment of dendritic cells with HBsAg resulted in decreased T cell secretion of IL-5 by OVA stimulation. In addition, the results showed stronger OVA-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) M and weaker IgG responses in mice sera when they had been immunized with OVA and co-injected with HBsAg. It was also found that the mice exhibited significant enhancement of anti-OVA IgG2a antibody (Ab), as well as marked inhibition of IgG1 Ab production. In cellular immune responses, IL-5 production was significantly decreased and interferon (IFN)-γ increased in the group co-injected with HBsAg. On the other hand, the induction of lymphoproliferative response to OVA stimulation in spleen cells was decreased in the HBsAg co-injected group. These results demonstrate that HBsAg can affect the differentiation of T helper (Th) cells, which might provide a strategy for improving its prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy.     

Cimetidine enhances immune response of HBV DNA vaccination via impairment of the regulatory function of regulatory T cells

Cimetidine (CIM), a histamine 2-receptor antagonist, is postulated to enhance immune responses owing to its inhibitory effects on suppressor T cells. In this report, we evaluated effects of cimetidine on the potency of antigen-specific immunity generated by DNA vaccine encoding hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg, pcD-S2). Our data demonstrate that CIM as adjuvant significantly increased HBsAg-specific cell-mediated and humoral immunities that were characterized by higher Ig2a/IgG1 ratio. In addition, CIM significantly promotes an elevated level of IL-4 and IFN-γ in antigen-specific CD4⁺ T cells and a robust antigen-specific cytotoxic response in the animals immunized with pcD-S2 plus CIM. Further, CIM induces pro-inflammatory cytokine expression such as the IL-12 and down-regulates anti-inflammatory cytokine expression such as IL-10 and TGF-β, which may lead to an impairment of CD4⁺CD25⁺ Treg cell-mediated suppression. Collectively these findings suggest that CIM enhances the immune responses of HBV DNA vaccine through the stimulation of pro-inflammatory and inhibition of anti-inflammatory cytokine expression patterns.     

Improvement of hepatitis B virus DNA vaccines by plasmids coexpressing hepatitis B surface antigen and interleukin-2.

DNA vaccines encoding a viral protein have been shown to induce antiviral immune responses and provide protection against subsequent viral challenge. In this study, we show that the efficacy of a DNA vaccine can be greatly improved by simultaneous expression of interleukin-2 (IL-2). Plasmid vectors encoding the major (S) or middle (pre-S2 plus S) envelope proteins of hepatitis B virus (HBV) were constructed and compared for their potential to induce hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-specific immune responses with a vector encoding the middle envelope and IL-2 fusion protein or with a bicistronic vector separately encoding the middle envelope protein and IL-2. Following transfection of cells in culture with these HBV plasmid vectors, we found that the encoded major protein was secreted while the middle protein and the fusion protein were retained on the cell membrane. Despite differences in localization of the encoded antigens, plasmids encoding the major or middle proteins gave similar antibody and T-cell proliferative responses in the vaccinated animals. The use of plasmids coexpressing IL-2 and the envelope protein in the fusion or nonfusion context resulted in enhanced humoral and cellular immune responses. In addition, the vaccine efficacy in terms of dosage used in immunization was increased at least 100-fold by coexpression of IL-2. We also found that DNA vaccines coexpressing IL-2 help overcome major histocompatibility complex-linked nonresponsiveness to HBsAg vaccination. The immune responses elicited by HBV DNA vaccines were also modulated by coexpression of IL-2. When restimulated with antigen in vitro, splenocytes from mice that received plasmids coexpressing IL-2 and the envelope protein produced much stronger T helper 1 (Th1)-like responses than did those from mice that had been given injections of plasmids encoding the envelope protein alone. Coexpression of IL-2 also increased the Th2-like responses, although the increment was much less significant.     

乙肝病毒DNA疫苗的构建及其诱导小鼠的免疫应答

构建含adr亚型HBV表面抗原基因的核酸疫苗 ,考察人白细胞介素II基因及重组白细胞介素II的免疫佐剂作用。用含有人白细胞介素II基因的真核表达质粒及基因重组白细胞介素II蛋白作为佐剂 ,将编码乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原的重组真核表达质粒 pVAX/HBS免疫BALB/C小鼠 (试验组 ) ,同时设置注射质粒pVAX的阴性对照组 ,并分别于第 2 ,4周后加强免疫各 1次。试验组在第 4周时开始有HBsAb产生 ,阴性对照组未测到HbsAb ,试验组和对照组均未检测到HBsAg。乙肝病毒DNA疫苗能引起小鼠特异性体液免疫应答 ,白细胞介素II的真核表达质粒的佐剂作用不明显 ,基因重组白细胞介素II蛋白具有提高小鼠对乙肝病毒核酸疫苗免疫应答水平的佐剂活性。     

DNA immunization with fusion of CTLA-4 to hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein enhanced Th2 type responses and cleared HBV with an accelerated kinetic

Background

Typically, DNA immunization via the intramuscular route induces specific, Th1-dominant immune responses. However, plasmids expressing viral proteins fused to cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) primed Th2-biased responses and were able to induced effective protection against viral challenge in the woodchuck model. Thus, we addressed the question in the mouse model how the Th1/Th2 bias of primed immune responses by a DNA vaccine influences hepatitis B virus (HBV) clearance.

Principal Findings

Plasmids expressing HBV core protein (HBcAg) or HBV e antigen and HBcAg fused to the extracellular domain of CTLA-4 (pCTLA-4-HBc), CD27, and full length CD40L were constructed. Immunizations of these DNA plasmids induced HBcAg-specific antibody and cytotoxic T-cell responses in mice, but with different characteristics regarding the titers and subtypes of specific antibodies and intensity of T-cell responses. The plasmid pHBc expressing HBcAg induced an IgG2a-dominant response while immunizations of pCTLA-4-HBc induced a balanced IgG1/IgG2a response. To assess the protective values of the immune responses of different characteristics, mice were pre-immunized with pCTLA-4-HBc and pHBc, and challenged by hydrodynamic injection (HI) of pAAV/HBV1.2. HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and DNA in peripheral blood and HBcAg in liver tissue were cleared with significantly accelerated kinetics in both groups. The clearance of HBsAg was completed within 16 days in immunized mice while more than 50% of the control mice are still positive for HBsAg on day 22. Stronger HBcAg-specific T-cell responses were primed by pHBc correlating with a more rapid decline of HBcAg expression in liver tissue, while anti-HBs antibody response developed rapidly in the mice immunized with pCTLA-4-HBc, indicating that the Th1/Th2 bias of vaccine-primed immune responses influences the mode of viral clearance.

Conclusion

Viral clearance could be efficiently achieved by Th1/Th2-balanced immune response, with a small but significant shift in T-cell and B-cell immune responses.