Immunization with plasmid DNA encoding the hemagglutinin and the nucleoprotein confers robust protection against a lethal canine distemper virus challenge.
We have investigated the protective effect of immunization of a highly susceptible natural host of canine distemper virus (CDV) with DNA plasmids encoding the viral nucleoprotein (N) and hemagglutinin (H). The combined intradermal and intramuscular routes of immunization elicited high virus-neutralizing serum antibody titres in mink (Mustela vison). To mimic natural exposure, we also conducted challenge infection by horizontal transmission from infected contact animals. Other groups received a lethal challenge infection by administration to the mucosae of the respiratory tract and into the muscle. One of the mink vaccinated with N plasmid alone developed severe disease after challenge. In contrast, vaccination with the H plasmid together with the N plasmid conferred solid protection against disease and we were unable to detect CDV infection in PBMCs or in different tissues after challenge. Our findings show that DNA immunization by the combined intradermal and intramuscular routes can confer solid protective immunity against naturally transmitted morbillivirus infection and disease.
Laboratory of Virology and Immunology, Department of Veterinary Microbiology, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Stigbøjlen 7, DK 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
Lotte
L
Dahl
Trine Hammer
TH
Jensen
Elisabeth
E
Gottschalck
Peter
P
Karlskov-Mortensen
Tove Dannemann
TD
Jensen
Line
L
Nielsen
Mads Klindt
MK
Andersen
Robin
R
Buckland
T Fabian
TF
Wild
Merete
M
Blixenkrone-Møller
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D004216:Distemper / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D004217:Distemper Virus, Canine / Q000276:immunology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005814:Genes, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006388:Hemagglutinins / Q000276:immunology; D007271:Injections, Intradermal; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008907:Mink / Q000276:immunology*; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D009698:Nucleoproteins / Q000276:immunology*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D006388:Hemagglutinins; D009698:Nucleoproteins; D019444:Vaccines, DNA; D014765:Viral Vaccines