{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Strong HCV NS3- and NS4A-specific cellular immune responses induced in mice and Rhesus macaques by a novel HCV genotype 1a/1b consensus DNA vaccine.
{Author}: Lang KA;Yan J;Draghia-Akli R;Khan A;Weiner DB;
{Journal}: Vaccine
{Volume}: 26
{Issue}: 49
{Year}: Nov 2008 18
{Factor}: 4.169
{DOI}: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.07.052
{Abstract}: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) represents a major health burden with more than 170 million individuals currently infected worldwide, equaling roughly 3% of the world's population. HCV preferentially infects hepatocytes and is able to persist in up to 70% of infected individuals. It is estimated that up to 30% of chronically infected individuals will go on to develop progressive liver disease as a result of HCV infection, making the virus the leading cause of liver transplantation in the world. Currently there is no vaccine for HCV. In this study, we have taken a multi-step approach to develop a novel genotype 1a/1b consensus HCV NS3/NS4A DNA vaccine able to induce strong cellular immunity. We show that this construct is able to induce strong anti-NS3/NS4A T cell responses in C57BL/6 mice, as well as, in Rhesus macaques. Our data suggest that DNA vaccines encoding HCV proteins NS3/NS4A merit further study in the context of future prophylactic and therapeutic HCV T cell based vaccines.