We plan to use our HBx transgenic mice to determine whether HBx causes an increased accumulation of DNA mutations in vivo. Hepatitis B virus X protein interferes with cellular DNA repair. DNA Immunization in Vaginal Tract Promotes Immune Readiness Sexually transmitted diseases are among the most common infections in the world, and their sequelae include infertility, cancer and death. Currently, no vaccines are available for pathogens of the female genital tract, largely due to the dearth of information about how best to induce a long-lasting protective immune response. Mass. Julie Livingston and others have shown in rodents that vaginal immunization is more effective than immunization of other mucosal sites and of skin for inducing specific antibodies in the female genital tract.
Big questions remain about how DNA immunization works.
The development of a disease challenge animal model using DNA-based vaccine would facilitate these investigations. Immunization of the female genital tract with a DNA-based vaccine.