CD4( ) T Cells Are Not Required for Suppression of Hepatitis B Virus Replication in the Liver of Vaccinated Chimpanzees

Abstract

Humans vaccinated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) sometimes develop humoral and cellular immunity to HBV proteins such as core and polymerase that are not vaccine components, providing indirect evidence that vaccine-induced immunity is not sterilizing. We previously described CD4(+) T-cell immunity against HBsAg and polymerase in chimpanzees after vaccination and HBV challenge. Here, vaccinated chimpanzees with protective levels of anti-HBsAg antibodies were rechallenged with HBV after antibody-mediated CD4(+) T-cell depletion. HBV DNA was detected in liver for at least 3 months after rechallenge, but virus replication was suppressed, as revealed by the absence of HBV DN..