Vaccination with dendritic cells induces strong HBV specific Th cell and CTL responses in HBV trimera mice

Introduction: Spontaneous resolution from hepatitis B is associated with strong and broad HBV core specific T cell responses. In contrast, viral persistence is associated with weak and narrow immune responses. Thus, induction of strong HBV-specific T cell reactivities might represent a new therapeutic strategy. We have shown in the humanized trimera mouse model, that vaccination with dendritic cells (DC) might represent an effective therapeutic vaccine. However, in viro maturation and pulsing with permanently HBV-transfected HepG2.215 cells might further improve the vaccine response in vivo. Methods: DC were gen…