[Immunogenicity of new DNA vaccine encoding for hepatitis B virus core antigen].

Objectives: To observe immunogenicity of new DNA vaccine encoding for hepatitis B virus core antigen (HBcAg).

Methods: A new DNA vaccine (pSW3891/HBc) encoding for hepatitis B virus core antigen was constructed using plasmid pSW3891 which can be used in human. Control and experiment groups of Balb/c mice were immunized with pSW3891 or pSW3891/HBc by gene gun. Anti-HBc in sera of mice was tested by ELISA (enzyme linked immune sorbent assay). Specific cytotoxicity of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) of mice was detected by LDH release assay.

Results: pSW3891/HBc can express in 293T cell line effectively. Mice immunized with pSW3891/HBc showed strong anti-HBc response and specific high cytotoxicity of CTL.

Conclusion: pSW3891/HBc induced significantly humoral and cellular immune responses in Balb/c mice.