title: DNA immunization of mice against the VP1 capsid protein of coxsackievirus B4.
abstract: The protective activity of a DNA plasmid encoding the immunodominant capsid protein VP1 of coxsackievirus B4 (CBV-4) was studied in BALB/c mice. The plasmid pCI-B4-1-c - which gave the highest expression level of VP1 in cultured monkey and human cells - was chosen for immunization. Two injections of pCI-B4-1-c (1 month apart) into the regenerating mouse muscle tissue induced a specific antibody response to CBV-4, as shown by immunoenzyme and neutralization assays. Upon challenge with live CBV-4, the mortality rate of mice vaccinated with the recombinant plasmid was significantly reduced (21% versus >58%) as compared with that of mice that had been either nontreated or injected with a control plasmid devoid of the insert. The VP1-based vaccine, however, did not provide complete protection as - after virus challenge - moderate viraemia occurred together with modest plasma elevations of pathogenesis-related enzymes (amylase and creatine kinase). Yet, immunofluorescence of the small intestine and heart did confirm the protective effect of the VP1-encoding vaccine. In order to obtain a more complete protection against CBV-4, it may be beneficial to immunize mice with combinations of separate DNA plasmids encoding not only VP1 but also the VP2 and VP3 capsid proteins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese Department of Oncology, University of Pisa, Pisa Department of Biochemistry, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy. antonio.toniolo@ospedale.varese.it
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Toniolo
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Falcone
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bernasconi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Basolo
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Speziale
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Onodera
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D019556:COS Cells; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D002460:Cell Line; D029822:Enterovirus B, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D004769:Enterovirus Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D019444:Vaccines, DNA; D014765:Viral Vaccines