Augmented humoral and cellular immune response of hepatitis B virus DNA
vaccine by micro-needle vaccination using Flt3L as an adjuvant
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Qi Zhoua, Fang Wanga, Fu Yanga, Yue Wanga, Xiaoying Zhanga and Shuhan Sun, a,
a Department of Medical Genetics, Second Military Medical University, 800
Xiang-Yin Road, Shanghai 200433, PR China
Received 19 February 2009; revised 20 October 2009; accepted 5 November
2009. Available online 21 November 2009.
Abstract
The purpose of this work was to assess the immune response against plasmid DNA
encoding hepatitis B virus (HBV) HBsAg in C57BL/6 mice inoculated by
micro-needle. Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3L), a hematopoietic
growth factor, was used as an adjuvant. Immune response was determined by
analysis of cytokine production. In addition, cytotoxic lymphocyte (CTL)
activity was measured 7 days after in vitro addition of tumor cells (CT26/S)
stabling expressing HBsAg. The efficacy of immunoprotection against CT26/S was
determined by antibody response to this challenge. A strong antibody response
was induced by inoculation with the DNA vaccine via micro-needles assisted
with Flt3L, Administration of the vaccine to splenocytes induced significantly
higher levels of interleukin-12 and gamma interferon. CTL response to the
vaccine was stronger than that stimulated by intramuscular or micro-needle
injections alone. Our study suggests useful strategies for improving the
efficacy of vaccines against HBV and other pathogens.