Induction of potent cellular immune response in mice by hepatitis C virus NS3 protein with double-stranded RNA

Double-stranded RNA is produced during virus replication and, together with the viral antigen, is responsible for inducing host antivirus immunity. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) non-structural protein-3 (NS3) has been implicated in the immune evasion of HCV, and is one of the prime targets for inducing immunity against HCV infection. Mice were immunized with recombinant NS3 protein (rNS3) and poly (I:C) emulsified in Montanide ISA 720 (M720). Cytokine production was assayed by enzyme-linked immunospot assay, and CD4(+) IFN-gamma(+) T helper (Th) cells or CD8(+) IFN-gamma(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes were detected by flow cytometry. Anti-NS3 titre and immunoglobulin G2a (IgG2a) and IgG1 levels were monitored by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Administration of rNS3 formulated in poly (I:C) and M720 induced anti-NS3 titres with a predominantly IgG2a isotype comparable to those induced by rNS3 in CpG-ODN and M720. The cytokine profiles showed that this formulation induced a Th1-biased immune response with several-fold more interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-producing cells than interleukin-4-producing cells. In contrast, rNS3 in M720 induced a Th2-biased immune response. The frequency of IFN-gamma-producing CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells induced by rNS3 in poly (I:C) and M720 was significantly higher than that induced by rNS3, rNS3 in M720, or rNS3 in poly (I:C), and was comparable to that induced by rNS3 in CpG-ODN with M720. The antigen-specific CD8(+) T-cell immune response persisted for up to 7 months after immunization. In conclusion, poly (I:C) with rNS3 in M720 can elicit a strong and persistent Th1-biased immune response and a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response through cross-priming in mice. This study highlighted a promising formulation for inducing an efficient cellular immune response against HCV that has potential for HCV vaccine development.