Quantitative evaluation of protective antibody response induced by hepatitis E vaccine in humans

Nat Commun. 2020 Aug 7;11(1):3971. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-17737-w.

Abstract

Efficacy evaluation through human trials is crucial for advancing a vaccine candidate to clinics. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) can be used to quantify B cell repertoire response and trace antibody lineages during vaccination. Here, we demonstrate this application with a case study of Hecolin®, the licensed vaccine for hepatitis E virus (HEV). Four subjects are administered the vaccine following a standard three-dose schedule. Vaccine-induced antibodies exhibit a high degree of clonal diversity, recognize five conformational antigenic sites of the genotype 1 HEV p239 antigen, and cross-react with other genotypes. Unbiased repertoire sequencing is performed for seven time points over six months of vaccination, with maturation pathways characterize for a set of vaccine-induced antibodies. In addition to dynamic repertoire profiles, NGS analysis reveals differential patterns of HEV-specific antibody lineages and highlights the necessity of the long vaccine boost. Together, our study presents a quantitative strategy for vaccine evaluation in small-scale human studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology*
  • Antibody Formation / immunology*
  • Antibody Specificity / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Epitopes / immunology
  • Genotype
  • Hepatitis E virus / genetics
  • Hepatitis E virus / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Time Factors
  • Tissue Donors
  • Vaccination*
  • Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / immunology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Epitopes
  • Viral Hepatitis Vaccines