Dual-targeting nanoparticle vaccine elicits a therapeutic antibody response against chronic hepatitis B

Nat Nanotechnol. 2020 May;15(5):406-416. doi: 10.1038/s41565-020-0648-y. Epub 2020 Mar 2.

Abstract

Chronic hepatitis B is caused by prolonged infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which can substantially increase the risk of developing liver disease. Despite the development of preventive vaccines against HBV, a therapeutic vaccine inducing an effective antibody response still remains elusive. The preS1 domain of the large HBV surface protein is the major viral attachment site on hepatocytes and thus offers a therapeutic target; however, its poor immunogenicity limits clinical translation. Here, we design a ferritin nanoparticle vaccine that can deliver preS1 to specific myeloid cells, including SIGNR1+ dendritic cells (which activate T follicular helper cells) and lymphatic sinus-associated SIGNR1+ macrophages (which can activate B cells). This nanoparticle vaccine induces a high-level and persistent anti-preS1 response that results in efficient viral clearance and partial serological conversion in a chronic HBV mouse model, offering a promising translatable vaccination strategy for the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation
  • Female
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / administration & dosage
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / therapeutic use*
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines / therapeutic use*
  • Hepatitis B virus / immunology*
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / immunology
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / prevention & control*
  • Male
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Myeloid Cells / immunology
  • Nanoparticles / administration & dosage
  • Nanoparticles / therapeutic use*
  • Protein Precursors / administration & dosage
  • Protein Precursors / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines
  • Protein Precursors
  • presurface protein 1, hepatitis B surface antigen