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World J Gastroenterol. Nov 14, 2005; 11(42): 6713-6715
Published online Nov 14, 2005. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v11.i42.6713
Hepatitis E virus chimeric DNA vaccine elicits immunologic response in mice
Yan Hong, Bing Ruan, Lian-Hua Yang, Yong Chen, Luo Jing, Yi-Ting Wang, Hua-Jun Hu
Yan Hong, Lian-Hua Yang, Yong Chen, Luo Jing, Yi-Ting Wang, Hua-Jun Hu, Institute of Bioengineering, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou 310013, Zhejiang Province, China
Bing Ruan, Zhejiang University Medical School, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the Grants from the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province, No. RC01054, Science and Technology Department of Zhejiang Province, No. F11023 and Key Project of Health Bureau of Zhejiang Province
Correspondence to: Dr. Yong Chen, Institute of Bioengineering, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou 310013, Zhejiang Province, China. cmlong93@yahoo.com.cn
Telephone: +86-0571-88862228 Fax: +86-0571-88075447
Received: March 12, 2005
Revised: April 8, 2005
Accepted: April 11, 2005
Published online: November 14, 2005
Abstract

AIM: To construct the plasmid pcHEV23 containing fragments of HEV ORF2 and ORF3 chimeric gene and to assess its ability to elicit specific immunologic response in mice.

METHODS: The gene encoding the structural protein of HEV ORF2 fragment and full-length ORF3 was amplified by PCR. The PCR products were cloned into an eucaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3. The resulting plasmid pcHEV23 was used as a DNA vaccine to inoculate BALB/c mice intramuscularly thrice at a dose of 100 or 200 μg. Mice injected with empty pcDNA3 DNA or saline served as control and then specific immune responses in the mice were detected.

RESULTS: After 2-3 times of inoculation, all mice injected with pcHEV23 had anti-HEV IgG seroconversion and specific T lymphocyte proliferation. The lymphocyte stimulation index in the group immunized with pcHEV23 (3.1±0.49) was higher than that in the control group (0.787±0.12, P<0.01). None in the control group had a detectable level of anti-HEV IgG.

CONCLUSION: DNA vaccine containing HEV ORF2 and ORF3 chimeric gene can successfully induce specific humoral and cellular immune response in mice.

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