RESUMO

The immunogenicity of a truncated HCV core protein (Co.120) was studied in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice, given three intramuscular injections of antigen, adjuvanted with either aluminum hydroxide or Freund's adjuvant. A rapid antibody response was noted after the first dose, with both strains of mice eventually exhibiting comparable levels of anti-core IgG (titers >1:100000), with a mixed IgG1/IgG2a subclass response. Spleen cells from Co.120-immunized mice gave a significant specific proliferative response. IFN-gamma gene expression was also detected after an ex-vivo specific stimulation of spleen cells in all immunized mice. This response was independent of dose, H-2 genetic background or type of adjuvant. The results indicated that immunization with the Co.120 protein elicits a potent anti-HCV humoral and cellular immune response.

Assuntos

Hepacivirus/imunologia , Antígenos da Hepatite C/imunologia , Proteínas do Core Viral/imunologia , Animais , Especificidade de Anticorpos , Feminino , Expressão Gênica , Hepacivirus/genética , Anticorpos Anti-Hepatite C/biossíntese , Antígenos da Hepatite C/química , Antígenos da Hepatite C/genética , Imunidade Celular , Imunoglobulina G/biossíntese , Técnicas In Vitro , Interferon gama/genética , Ativação Linfocitária , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Fragmentos de Peptídeos/química , Fragmentos de Peptídeos/genética , Fragmentos de Peptídeos/imunologia , Células Th1/imunologia , Proteínas do Core Viral/química , Proteínas do Core Viral/genética