The recombinant pseudorabies virus expressing African swine fever virus CD2v protein is safe and effective in mice

Zhihua Feng; Jianghua Chen; Wangwang Liang; Wenzhi Chen; Zhaolong Li; Qi Chen; Shaoli Cai

doi:10.1186/s12985-020-01450-7

Virology Journal (Nov 2020)

The recombinant pseudorabies virus expressing African swine fever virus CD2v protein is safe and effective in mice

Zhihua Feng,
Jianghua Chen,
Wangwang Liang,
Wenzhi Chen,
Zhaolong Li,
Qi Chen,
Shaoli Cai

Affiliations

Zhihua Feng: Fujian Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology, Biomedical Research Center of South China, Fujian Province, Fujian Normal University Qishan Campus
Jianghua Chen: Fujian Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology, Biomedical Research Center of South China, Fujian Province, Fujian Normal University Qishan Campus
Wangwang Liang: Fujian Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology, Biomedical Research Center of South China, Fujian Province, Fujian Normal University Qishan Campus
Wenzhi Chen: Fujian Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology, Biomedical Research Center of South China, Fujian Province, Fujian Normal University Qishan Campus
Zhaolong Li: Fujian Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology, Biomedical Research Center of South China, Fujian Province, Fujian Normal University Qishan Campus
Qi Chen: Fujian Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology, Biomedical Research Center of South China, Fujian Province, Fujian Normal University Qishan Campus
Shaoli Cai: Fujian Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology, Biomedical Research Center of South China, Fujian Province, Fujian Normal University Qishan Campus

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-020-01450-7
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 17, no. 1
pp. 1 – 17

Abstract

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Abstract Background African swine fever (ASF) leads to high mortality in domestic pigs and wild boar and is caused by the African swine fever virus (ASFV). Currently, no vaccine is commercially available for prevention, and the epidemic is still spreading. Here, we constructed a recombinant pseudorabies virus (PRV) (PRV-ΔgE/ΔgI/ΔTK-(CD2v)) that expresses the CD2v protein of ASFV and evaluated its effectiveness and safety as a vaccine candidate in mice. Methods A homologous recombination fragment containing ASFV CD2v was synthesized and co-transfected into HEK 293 T cells, a knockout vector targeting the PRV TK gene. The transfected cells were infected with PRV-ΔgE/ΔgI, and the recombinant strain (PRV-ΔgE/ΔgI/ΔTK-(CD2v)) was obtained by plaque purification in Vero cells. The expression of ASFV CD2v in the recombinant virus was confirmed by sequencing, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence analysis, and the genetic stability was tested in Vero cells over 20 passages. The virulence, immunogenicity and protective ability of the recombinant virus were further tested in a mouse model. Results The PRV-ΔgE/ΔgI/ΔTK-(CD2v) recombinant strain is stable in Vero cells, and the processing of CD2v does not depend on ASFV infection. The vaccination of PRV-ΔgE/ΔgI/ΔTK-(CD2v) causes neither pruritus, not a systemic infection and inflammation (with the high expression of interleukin-6 (IL6)). Besides, the virus vaccination can produce anti-CD2v specific antibody and activate a specific cellular immune response, and 100% protect mice from the challenge of the virulent strain (PRV-Fa). The detoxification occurs much earlier upon the recombinant virus vaccination and the amount of detoxification is much lower as well. Conclusions The PRV-ΔgE/ΔgI/ΔTK-(CD2v) recombinant strain has strong immunogenicity, is safe and effective, and maybe a potential vaccine candidate for the prevention of ASF and Pseudorabies.

Published in Virology Journal

ISSN: 1743-422X (Online)
Publisher: BMC
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Infectious and parasitic diseases
Website: http://virologyj.biomedcentral.com

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