Preliminary research on hepatitis E virus chimeric DNA vaccine

  Objective   To construct a recombinant plasmid which contained fragments of HEVORF2 and ORF3 chimeric gene, and then assess its feasibility for use as a DNA vaccine.

  Methods   HEVORF2 fragment and full-length ORF2 was amplified by PCR.The PCR products were inserted into an eucaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA 3 to form a recombinant plasmid named pcHEV23(DNA vaccine).BALB/c mice were immunized with DNA vaccine and the humoral and cellular immune responses of the mice were detected.

  Results   The HEVDNA vaccine can induce specific anti-HEV IgG and T lymphocyte proliferation. The lymphocyte stimulation index(SI)in the group immunized with pcHEV23 was high than that in control group(P < 0.01).

  Conclusion   HEV DNA vaccine constructed by us can successfully induce both humoral and cellular immune response. Thus providing an experimental evidence for its use in control of HEV infection.