These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.
Pubmed for Handhelds
PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS
Search MEDLINE/PubMed
Title: Rapid, high-level production of hepatitis B core antigen in plant leaf and its immunogenicity in mice. Author: Huang Z, Santi L, LePore K, Kilbourne J, Arntzen CJ, Mason HS. Journal: Vaccine; 2006 Mar 24; 24(14):2506-13. PubMed ID: 16417953. Abstract: Hepatitis B core antigen (HBc or HBcAg) self-assembles into capsid particles and is extremely immunogenic. HBc has been extensively studied for its production in various expression systems and for the use of HBc particles for high-density, immunogenic presentation of foreign epitopes. Here we reported the high-level transient expression of HBc in plant leaf and its immunogenicity in mice. By using a novel plant viral expression system, HBc was produced in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves at levels up to 7.14% of total soluble protein (TSP) or 2.38 milligrams HBc per gram of fresh weight at 7 days post-infection (dpi). Plant-derived HBc (p-HBc) assembled into virus-like particles (VLPs) as revealed by sucrose gradients and electron microscopy. Partially purified p-HBc stimulated strong serum antibody responses in mice as Escherichia coli-derived HBc upon intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection. Furthermore, mice immunized mucosally (orally and intranasally) with p-HBc in the absence of adjuvants also developed HBc-specific serum IgG as well as intestinal IgA. Taken together, our results indicate the potential usefulness of p-HBc-VLP as a carrier for immunogenic presentation and mucosal delivery of foreign epitopes.[Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]