A heterologous prime/boost vaccination strategy enhances the immunogenicity of therapeutic vaccines for hepatitis C virus.

ABSTRACT:

Background

We explored the concept of heterologous prime/boost vaccination using 2 therapeutic vaccines currently in clinical development aimed at treating chronically infected hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients: prime with a DNA-based vaccine expressing HCV genotype 1a NS3/4A proteins (ChronVac-C) and boost with a modified vaccinia virus Ankara vaccine expressing genotype 1b NS3/4/5B proteins (MVATG16643).

Methods

Two ChronVac-C immunizations 4 weeks apart were delivered intramuscularly in combination with in vivo electroporation and subsequently 5 or 12 weeks later boosted by 3 weekly subcutaneous injections of MVATG16643. Two mouse strains were used, and we evaluated quality, magnitude, and functionality of the T cells induced.

Results

DNA prime/MVA boost regimen induced significantly higher levels of interferon ? (IFN-?) or interleukin 2 (IL-2) ELISpot responses compared with each vaccine alone, independent of the time of analysis and the time interval between vaccinations. Both CD8? and CD4? T-cell responses as well as the spectrum of epitopes recognized was improved. A significant increase in polyfunctional IFN-?/tumor necrosis factor ? (TNF-?)/CD107a? CD8? T cells was detected following ChronVac-C/MVATG16643 vaccination (from 3% to 25%), and prime/boost was the only regimen that activated quadrifunctional T cells (IFN-?/TNF-?/CD107a/IL-2). In vivo functional protective capacity of DNA prime/MVA boost was demonstrated in a Listeria-NS3-1a challenge model.

Conclusions

We provide a proof-of-concept that immunogenicity of 2 HCV therapeutic vaccines can be improved using their combination, which merits further clinical development.

SUBMITTER: Fournillier A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3749006 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature