Molecular characterization of immune response signaling molecules induced by transfection of coxsackievirus B2 structural proteins into epithelial cells

Objective To investigate the molecular characteristics of immune response signaling molecules induced by transfection of coxsackievirus B2 (CVB2) structural proteins into epithelial cells. Methods Recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmids containing the coding regions of CVB2 structural proteins VP1-VP4 were constructed and then transfected into 16HBE cells. Culture supernatants and cell lysates of the transfected 16HBE cells were collected. Expression of signaling molecules involved in innate immune responses in transfected 16HBE cells at mRNA level was detected by RT-Q-PCR. The proliferation of T cells co-cultured with culture supernatants and cell lysates of the transfected 16HBE cells was analyzed by ELISPOT. Results Expression of innate immunity-related signaling molecules such as TGF-β-activated kinase (TAK), NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK), IκB kinase α (IKKα) and IFN-β at mRNA level was up-regulated in 16HBE cells transfected with CVB2 structural proteins VP1-VP4. Both culture supernatants and cell lysates of the transfected 16HBE cells enhanced the proliferation of T cells. Conclusions CVB2 structural proteins VP1-VP4 could enhance the expression of innate immunity-related signaling molecules to varying degrees and promote the activation of adaptive immunity. Key words: Coxsackievirus B2; Structural protein; Immune response