title: DNA-mediated immunization with glycoprotein D of equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) in a murine model of EHV-1 respiratory infection.
abstract: DNA-mediated immunization was assessed in a murine model of equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) respiratory infection. A single intramuscular injection with plasmid DNA encoding EHV-1 glycoprotein D (EHV-1 gD), including its predicted C-terminal membrane anchor sequence, induced a specific antibody response detectable by 2 weeks and maintained through 23 weeks post injection. A second injection at 4 weeks markedly enhanced the antibody response and all EHV-1 gD-injected mice developed neutralizing antibodies. A lymphocyte proliferative response to whole EHV-1 was observed and a predominance of IgG2a antibodies after DNA injection was consistent with the generation of a type 1 helper T-cell (Th1) response. Following intranasal challenge with EHV-1, mice immunized with EHV-1 gD DNA were able to clear virus significantly more rapidly from lung tissue and showed reduced lung pathology, in comparison to control mice.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Ruitenberg
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Wellington
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Love
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Whalley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000937:Antigen-Antibody Reactions; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005815:Genetic Code; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004861:Herpesvirus 1, Equid / Q000276:immunology*; D007114:Immunization; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000276:immunology*