Truncated Jfh1 E2 Protein: Is It Reliable to Be Used in Diagnostic Elisa Test and As a Protein-Based Vaccine Candidate? Publisher Pubmed



Bagheri S¹ ; Rahimi P² ; Vahabpour R³ ; Motevalli F² ; Shayestehpour M⁴ ; Amiran MR² ; Yazdani S⁴
Source: Protein and Peptide Letters Published:2017

Abstract

Background: HCV E2 glycoprotein is one of the most attractive proteins for designing an effective vaccine. Deletion of hydrophobic carboxyl-terminal region of this protein is necessary for its secretion, especially when it is expressed in E-coli. In this study we expressed this protein in truncated form and evaluated its application in developing an ELISA test and induction of humoral response in immunized mice. Objectives: The purpose of this study was expression of HCV truncated E2 protein from JFH1 strain in E-coli BL21(DE3) and evaluation of its antigenicity. Methods: Truncated E2 region from HCV genotype 2a (JFH1) was amplified by PCR and cloned into a pET28a (+) vector and was used to transform the E-coli DH5a strain. The recombinant E2 protein was evaluated both in an ELISA test and induction of humoral immunity in mice. Results: Truncated E2 protein was expressed in BL21(DE3). Its specific antibody was detected in serum samples from HCV infected patients. Also, it could elicit a significant humoral immunity in mice. Conclusion: Truncated form of E2 protein which has been expressed in E-coli could be used as an effective antigen both in diagnostic tests such as ELISA and also, as a protein-based vaccine candidate. © 2017 Bentham Science Publishers.