Immunization with the immediate-early tegument protein (open reading frame 62) of varicella-zoster virus protects guinea pigs against virus challenge.
The IE62 protein, the primary regulatory protein of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and the major component of the virion tegument, was an effective immunogen in the guinea pig model of VZV infection, whereas the ORF 29 gene product, a nonstructural DNA replication protein, did not elicit protection. All animals immunized with the ORF 29 protein had cell-associated viremia compared with 2 of 11 guinea pigs given the IE62 protein (P = 0.005). VZV was detected in ganglia from 38% of the animals given the ORF 29 protein and 44% of the control animals compared with 9% of the animals immunized with the IE62 protein (P = 0.04). In contrast to the IE62 protein, immunization with the ORF 29 protein did not prime the animals for an enhanced T-cell response upon challenge with infectious virus. The VZV IE62 protein has potential value as a vaccine component.
Sabella
C
C
Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, California 94305-5119.
Lowry
P W
PW
Abbruzzi
G M
GM
Koropchak
C M
CM
Kinchington
P R
PR
Sadegh-Zadeh
M
M
Hay
J
J
Ruyechan
W T
WT
Arvin
A M
AM
D000818:Animals; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005724:Ganglia / Q000382:microbiology; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007114:Immunization; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000382:microbiology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012668:Trigeminal Ganglion / Q000382:microbiology; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014766:Viremia / Q000517:prevention & control; D014886:Weaning
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C074221:IE62 protein, Human herpesvirus 3; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; D014765:Viral Vaccines; C073223:glycoprotein gp2, varicella-zoster virus