HBV DNA vaccine with adjuvant cytokines induced specific immune responses against HBV infection

AIM:To seek for an effective method to improve the immune responses induced by DNA vaccine expressing HBV surface antigen(pCR3.1-S)in Balb/c mice(H-2~d). METHODS:The pCR3.1-S plasmid and the eukaryotic expression vectors expressing murine IL-2(pDOR-IL-2)or IL-12(pWRG3169)were injected into mice subcutaneously. The immune responses to pCR3.1-S and the adjuvant effect of the cytokines plasmid were studied.Meanwhile the effect of pCR3.1-S on anti-translated subcutaneous tumor of P815 mastocytoma cells stably expressing HBsAg(P815-HBV-S) was also studied.Anti-HBs in serum was detected by enzyme- linked immunoadsordent assay(ELISA)and HBsAg specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes(CTLs)activity was measured by ^(51)Cr release assay.After three weeks of DNA immunization,the cells of P815-HBV-S were inoculated into mice subcutaneously and the tumor growth was measured every five days.The survival rate and living periods of mice were also calculated. RESULTS:After 8 wk DNA immunization,the A 450 nm values of sera in mice immunized with pCR3.1,pCR3.1-S and pCR3.1-S codeliveried with IL-2 or IL-12 plasmids were 0.03+0.01,1.24±0.10,1.98±0.17 and 1.67±0.12 respectively.Data in mice codeliveried pCR3.1-S with IL-2 or IL-12 plasmids were significantly higher than that of mice injected pCR3.1 or pCR3.1-S only.The HBsAg specific CTL activities in mice coinjected with pCR3.1-S and IL-2 or IL- l2 eukaryotic expression vectors were(61.9±7.1)% and (73.3±8.8)%,which were significantly higher than that of mice injected with pCR3.1(10.1±2.1)% or pCR3.1-S(50.5 ±6.4)%.The HBsAg specific CTL activities in mice injected with pCR3.1,pCR3.1-S,pCR3.1-S combined with IL-2 or IL- l2 eukaryotic expression vectors decreased significantly to (3.2±0.8)%,(10.6±1.4)%,(13.6±1.3)% and(16.9±2.3) % respectively after the spleen cells were treated by anti- CD8^+ monoclonal antibody,but presented no significant change to anti-CD4^+ monoclonal antibody or unrelated to monoclonal antibody.The HBV-S DNA vaccine(pCR3.1-S) could evidently inhibit the tumor growth,prolong the survival period of mice and improve the survival rate of mice and these effects could be improved by IL-12 gene codeliveried. CONCLUSION:HBV DNA vaccine has a strong antigenicity in humoral and cellular immunities,which can be promoted by plasmid expressing IL-2 or IL-12.CD8+ cells executed the CTL activities.DNA vaccine may be useful for both prophylaxis and treatment of HBV infection.

Effect of anti-tuberculosis therapy on liver function of pulmonary tuberculosis patients infected with hepatitis B virus

AIM: To observe the effect of anti-tuberculosis therapy on liver function of pulmonary tuberculosis patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, and to compare the differences of liver function by two treatments of antituberculosis.METHODS: Forty-seven TB patients with HBV infection and 170 TB patients without HBV infection were divided into HPBE(S) and HLAMKO treatment groups. Liver function tests before and after the treatments were performed once in 2 wk or monthly, and their clinical manifestations were recorded.RESULTS: The rate of hepatotoxicity occurred in 26 (59%)TB patients with HBV during anti-TB treatment, higher than that in 40 (24%) TB patients without HBV. Hepatotoxicity occurred in 66 out of 217 patients, and the incidence of liver dysfunction was 46.1% in HPBE(S) group, significantly higher than that in HLAMKO group (12.7%) (P＜0.01).CONCLUSION: TB patients with HBV should choose HLAMKO treatment because of fewer hepatotoxicity.

Successful rescuing a pregnant woman with severe hepatitis E infection and postpartum massive hemorrhage

AIM: To sum up the experience of the successful therapy for the severe hepatitis of pregnant woman with postpartum massive hemorrhage.METHODS: The advanced therapeutic methods including the bilateral uterine artery embolism, hemodialysis and artificial liver support therapy were performed with comprehensive medical treatments and the course of the successful rescuing the patient was analyzed.RESULTS: Through the hospitalization of about two mouths the patient and her neonatus had gotten the best of care in our department and pediatric department separately. Both of them were discharged in good condition.CONCLUSION: The key points for a successful therapy of the pregnant woman with severe hepatitis are termination of the pregnancy and the control of their various complications. It was suggested that the proper combination of these measures of modern therapy would race against time for renewing of hepatic and renal functions.

DC-SIGN:Binding receptor for HCV?

DC-SIGN, a dendritic Cell-specific adhesion receptor and a type Ⅱ transmembrane mannose-binding C-type lectin, is very important in the function of DC, both in mediating naive T cell interactions through ICAM-3 and as a rolling receptor that mediates the DC-specific ICAM-2-dependent migration processes. It can be used by viral and bacterial pathogens including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), HCV, Ebola Virus, CMV and Mycobacterium tuberculosis to facilitate infection. Both DC-SIGN and DC-SIGNR can act either in cis, by concentrating virus on target cells, or in bans, by transmission of bound virus to a target cell expressing appropropriate entry receptors. Recent work showed that DC-SIGN are highaffinity binding receptors for HCV. Besides playing a role in entry into DC, HCV E2 interaction with DC-SIGN might also be detrimental for the interaction of DC with T cells during antigen presentation. The clinical strategies that target DCSIGN may be successful in restricting HCV dissemination and pathogenesis as well as directing the migration of DCs to manipulate appropriate immune responses in autoimmunity and tumorigenic situations.