Mechanism and therapeutic potential of DNA‐based immunization against the envelope proteins of hepatitis B virus in normal and transgenic mice

Summary Two plasmid DNA vectors, pCAGGS(S) encoding the genes of the major envelope protein of hepatitis B virus (HBV), and pCAGGS(S + preS2) encoding the genes of the middle envelope protein were used to study the mechanism and therapeutic potential of DNA‐based immunization. Injection of these plasmids into the regenerating bilateral tibialis anterior muscle (TA) of normal C57BL/6 mice induced hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)‐specific humoral and cellular immune responses. Seventy‐two hours after injection of pCAGGS(S), infiltrating cells including antigen‐presenting dendritic cells (DC) were localized around the injection site and HBsAg was expressed by both muscle cells and infiltrating cells. Spleen DC from the mice were exposed to HBsAg for up to 32 weeks after a single injection of pCAGGS(S), because these DC induced the proliferation of HBsAg‐specific memory lymphocytes in culture without exogenous HBsAg. A single injection of pCAGGS(S) or pCAGGS(S + preS2) resulted in the clearance of HBsAg in 28 out of 30 HBV‐transgenic (Tg) mice. In contrast, more than 7 monthly injections of an HBsAg‐based vaccine were required for the clearance of HBsAg in 6 out of 29 HBV‐Tg mice. Infiltrating DC at the DNA vaccine injection site may have a role in initiating HBsAg‐specific immune response, whereas the persistence of HBsAg exposed spleen DC may contribute to long‐lasting immunity. This study also suggested that DNA‐based vaccines may be a potent tool for treating chronic HBV carriers.