Virus-Like Particles Based on the Novel Goose Parvovirus (NGPV) VP2 Protein Protect Ducks against NGPV Challenge
Yu Shang,
Yao Ma,
Sheng Tang,
Xing Chen,
Helong Feng,
Li Li,
Hongcai Wang,
Zhe Zeng,
Lun Yao,
Tengfei Zhang,
Chi Zeng,
Qingping Luo,
Guoyuan Wen
Affiliations
Yu Shang
Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China
Yao Ma
Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China
Sheng Tang
Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China
Xing Chen
Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Wuhan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China
Helong Feng
Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China
Li Li
Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China
Hongcai Wang
Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China
Zhe Zeng
Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China
Lun Yao
Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China
Tengfei Zhang
Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China
Chi Zeng
School of Life Science and Technology, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430023, China
Qingping Luo
Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China
Guoyuan Wen
Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China
Novel goose parvovirus (NGPV), a genetic variant of goose parvovirus, has been spreading throughout China since 2015 and mainly infects ducklings with the symptoms of growth retardation, beak atrophy, and protruding tongue, leading to huge economic losses every year. A safe and effective vaccine is urgently needed to control NGPV infection. In this study, virus-like particles (VLPs) of NPGV were assembled and evaluated for their immunogenicity. The VP2 protein of NGPV was expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda insect cells using baculovirus as vector. The VP2 protein was efficiently expressed in the nucleus of insect cells, and the particles with a circular or hexagonal shape and a diameter of approximately 30 nm, similar to the NGPV virion, were observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The purified particles were confirmed to be composed of VP2 using western blot and TEM, indicating that the VLPs of NGPV were successfully assembled. Furthermore, the immunogenicity of the VLPs of NGPV was evaluated in Cherry Valley ducks. The level of NGPV serum antibodies increased significantly at 1–4 weeks post-immunization. No clinical symptoms or deaths of ducks occurred in all groups after being challenged with NGPV at 4 weeks post-immunization. There was no viral shedding in the immunized group. However, viral shedding was detected at 3–7 days post-challenge in the non-immunized group. Moreover, VLPs can protect ducks from histopathological lesions caused by NGPV and significantly reduce viral load in tissue at 5 days post-challenge. Based on these findings, NGPV VLPs are promising candidates for vaccines against NGPV.
