Induction of humoral and cellular immune response to HBV vaccine can be up-regulated by STING ligand

  • Virology. 2019 May;531:233-239. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2019.03.013.
Hiroyasu Ito  1 ,  Ayumu Kanbe  2 ,  Akira Hara  3 ,  Tetsuya Ishikawa  4
Affiliations
  • 1. Department of Informative Clinical Medicine, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1194, Japan. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 2. Department of Informative Clinical Medicine, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1194, Japan.
  • 3. Department of Tumor Pathology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1194, Japan.
  • 4. Department of Medical Technology, Nagoya University School of Health Sciences, 1-20 Daikominami-1-chome, Higashi-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 461-8673, Japan.
PMID: 30928701 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2019.03.013
Abstract

A persistent hepatitis B virus (HBV) Infection is characterized by a lack of or a weak immune response to HBV. Efficient induction of the HBV-specific immune response leads to the clearance of HBV. Stimulator of interferon (IFN) genes (STING) is a cytoplasmic sensor of intracellular DNA from microbes and host cells. In the present study, we examined the efficacy of cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate (cGAMP) that is a ligand of the STING pathway as an HBV vaccine Adjuvant. Wild-type (WT) mice and HBV-transgenic (HBV-Tg) mice were immunized with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and cGAMP. The vaccination with HBsAg and cGAMP significantly enhanced the humoral and cellular immune response to HBsAg in WT and HBV-Tg mice. Cytokine production related to Th1 and Th2 responses and the activation of antigen-presenting cells in lymphoid tissues were induced by cGAMP. Vaccination using cGAMP may overcome tolerance in patients with chronic HBV Infection.

Keywords
Hepatitis B virus; Immune response; STING; Vaccination.
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