title: Chimeric lyssavirus glycoproteins with increased immunological potential.
abstract: The rabies virus glycoprotein molecule (G) can be divided into two parts separated by a flexible hinge: the NH2 half (site II part) containing antigenic site II up to the linear region (amino acids [aa] 253 to 275 encompassing epitope VI [aa 264]) and the COOH half (site III part) containing antigenic site III and the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains. The structural and immunological roles of each part were investigated by cell transfection and mouse DNA-based immunization with homogeneous and chimeric G genes formed by fusion of the site II part of one genotype (GT) with the site III part of the same or another GT. Various site II-site III combinations between G genes of PV (Pasteur virus strain) rabies (GT1), Mokola (GT3), and EBL1 (European bat lyssavirus 1 [GT5]) viruses were tested. Plasmids pGPV-PV, pGMok-Mok, pGMok-PV, and pGEBL1-PV induced transient expression of correctly transported and folded antigens in neuroblastoma cells and virus-neutralizing antibodies against parental viruses in mice, whereas, pG-PVIII (site III part only) and pGPV-Mok did not. The site III part of PV (GT1) was a strong inducer of T helper cells and was very effective at presenting the site II part of various GTs. Both parts are required for correct folding and transport of chimeric G proteins which have a strong potential value for immunological studies and development of multivalent vaccines. Chimeric plasmid pGEBL1-PV broadens the spectrum of protection against European lyssavirus genotypes (GT1, GT5, and GT6).
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire des Lyssavirus, Institut Pasteur, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jallet
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jacob
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bahloul
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Drings
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Desmezieres
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tordo
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Perrin
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018114:Lyssavirus / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010957:Plasmids; D011820:Rabies virus / Q000276:immunology*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000276:immunology*; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D006023:Glycoproteins; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D019444:Vaccines, DNA; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; C064951:glycoprotein G, Rabies virus