Enhancement of antiviral immunity in HBV mouse model by blocking PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway / 中华肝脏病杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a mouse model for human chronic HBV infection, and to investigate the role of PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway in antiviral immunity.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A mouse model was established by hydrodynamic injection of the plasmid pAAV/HBV1.2-GFP into the tail vein of C57BL/6 mice, HBV markers were assayed at different time points after injection. After intraperitoneal injection of anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody, the serum ALT, and HBV DNA in the serum, liver and kidney were assayed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The chronic HBV infection mouse model were established successfully, serum HBsAg and high load of HBV DNA were detectable 90 days after plasmid injection. After blocking of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway, the serum ALT level of mice were significantly increased (P < 0.01), and the HBV DNA load in serum (P < 0.01), liver (P < 0.05) and kidney (P < 0.05) were decreased significantly.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway can enhance antiviral response in mice with chronic HBV infection.</p>