title: An RNA vaccine based on recombinant Semliki Forest virus particles expressing the Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase protein of Brucella abortus induces protective immunity in BALB/c mice.
abstract: We constructed infectious but replication-deficient Semliki Forest virus (SFV) particles carrying recombinant RNA encoding Brucella abortus Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD). The recombinant SFV particles (SFV-SOD particles) were then evaluated for their ability to induce a T-cell immune response and to protect BALB/c mice against a challenge with B. abortus 2308. Intraperitoneal injection of mice with recombinant SFV-SOD particles did not lead to the induction of SOD-specific antibodies, at least until week 6 after immunization (the end of the experiment). In vitro stimulation of splenocytes from the vaccinated mice with either recombinant Cu,Zn SOD (rSOD) or crude Brucella protein resulted in a T-cell proliferative response and the induction of gamma interferon secretion but not interleukin-4. In addition, the splenocytes exhibited significant levels of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activity against Brucella-infected cells. The SFV-SOD particles, but not the control virus particles, induced a significant level of protection in BALB/c mice against challenge with B. abortus virulent strain 2308. These findings indicated that an SFV-based vector carrying the SOD gene has potential for use as a vaccine to induce resistance against B. abortus infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, P.O. Box 152-C, Concepción, Chile. aonate@udec.cl
authors.forename: Angel A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Oñate
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Donoso
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Moraga-Cid
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Folch
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Céspedes
authors.forename: Edilia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Andrews
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002004:Brucella Vaccine / Q000276:immunology*; D002003:Brucella abortus / Q000276:immunology*; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D012313:RNA / Q000276:immunology*; D012672:Semliki forest virus / Q000235:genetics*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D014611:Vaccination; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000276:immunology*; D014771:Virion / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D002004:Brucella Vaccine; C039919:RNA, recombinant; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D012313:RNA; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase