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. 1995 Sep;69(9):5859–5863. doi: 10.1128/jvi.69.9.5859-5863.1995

Immune responses to plasmid DNA encoding the hepatitis C virus core protein.

L M Lagging 1, K Meyer 1, D Hoft 1, M Houghton 1, R B Belshe 1, R Ray 1
PMCID: PMC189461  PMID: 7637033

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major causative agent of parenterally transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis. The genomic region encoding the virion-associated core protein is relatively conserved among HCV strains. To generate a DNA vaccine capable of expressing the HCV core protein, the genomic region encoding amino acid residues 1 to 191 of the HCV-1 strain was amplified and cloned into an eukaryotic expression vector. Intramuscular inoculation of recombinant plasmid DNA into BALB/c mice (H-2d) generated core-specific antibody responses, lymphoproliferative responses, and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activity. Our results suggest that the HCV core polynucleotide warrants further investigation as a potential vaccine against HCV infection.

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Selected References

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