title: Immunization with a plasmid DNA expressing rinderpest virus hemagglutinin protein protects rabbits from lethal challenge.
abstract: Rinderpest virus haemagglutinin (H) protein was expressed in eukaryotic cells and the plasmid encoding H gene was used for immunization of rabbits. The immunized rabbits were completely protected from lethal challenge with virulent lapinized rinderpest virus. Similar results were also observed in rabbits vaccinated with tissue culture rinderpest (TCRP) vaccine. About 80% of control rabbits vaccinated with empty vector (mock-vaccinated) died after challenge. The thermal reactions and clinical symptoms were less intense in H-DNA vaccinated rabbits as compared to the other two groups. Marked lymphopenia was observed in TCRP and mock-vaccinated rabbits after challenge, however, the H-DNA vaccinated rabbits showed lymphocytosis following challenge. The appearance of lymphocytosis in H-DNA vaccinated rabbits is an interesting finding which needs further investigation.
authors.affiliation: National Project on Rinderpest Eradication, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Goel
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mondal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006389:Hemagglutinins, Viral; D008297:Male; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics*; D011817:Rabbits; D012301:Rinderpest / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012302:Rinderpest virus / Q000276:immunology*; D014611:Vaccination; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D006023:Glycoproteins; D006389:Hemagglutinins, Viral; D019444:Vaccines, DNA; D014764:Viral Proteins; D014765:Viral Vaccines; C079749:hemagglutinin protein, Rinderpest virus