Abstract
By exchanging sequences from the middle-surface (MS) and small-surface (S) Ag of hepatitis B virus (HBV) with corresponding sequences of the MS Ag of woodchuck hepatitis virus, we constructed chimeric MS variants. Using these constructs as DNA vaccines in mice, we selectively primed highly specific (non-cross-reactive) Ab responses to pre-S2 of the HBV MS Ag and the "a" determinant of the HBV S Ag, as well as L(d)- or K(b)-restricted CTL responses to HBV S epitopes. In transgenic mice that constitutively express large amounts of HBV surface Ag in the liver we could successfully suppress serum antigenemia (but not Ag production in the liver) by adoptive transfer of anti-pre-S2 or anti-"a" immunity but not CTL immunity. DNA vaccines greatly facilitate construction of chimeric fusion Ags that efficiently prime specific, high-affinity Ab and CTL responses. Such vaccines, in which sequences of an Ag of interest are exchanged between different but related viruses, are interesting tools for focusing humoral or cellular immunity on selected antigenic determinants and elucidating their biological role.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology
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Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology*
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H-2 Antigens / immunology
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Hepatitis B Antibodies / biosynthesis
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Hepatitis B Antibodies / metabolism*
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Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / administration & dosage
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Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / blood
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Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / genetics
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Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / immunology*
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Hepatitis B Virus, Woodchuck / genetics
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Hepatitis B Virus, Woodchuck / immunology
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Hepatitis B virus / genetics
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Hepatitis B virus / immunology
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Histocompatibility Antigen H-2D
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Injections, Intramuscular
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred BALB C
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Mice, Transgenic
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Plasmids / administration & dosage
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Plasmids / immunology
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Protein Precursors / genetics
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Protein Precursors / immunology
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins / administration & dosage
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins / immunology*
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Species Specificity
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T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology*
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Vaccines, DNA / administration & dosage
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Vaccines, DNA / genetics
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Vaccines, DNA / immunology*
Substances
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Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
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H-2 Antigens
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H-2Kb protein, mouse
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Hepatitis B Antibodies
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Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
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Histocompatibility Antigen H-2D
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Protein Precursors
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Recombinant Fusion Proteins
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Vaccines, DNA
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presurface protein 2, hepatitis B surface antigen