title: Recombinant simian varicella viruses expressing respiratory syncytial virus antigens are immunogenic.
abstract: Recombinant simian varicella viruses (rSVVs) were engineered to express respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) antigens. The RSV surface glycoprotein G and second matrix protein M2 (22k) genes were cloned into the SVV genome, and recombinant viruses were characterized in vitro and in vivo. rSVVs were also engineered to express the membrane-anchored or secreted forms of the RSV-G protein as well as an RSV G lacking its chemokine mimicry motif (CX3C), which may have different effects on priming the host immune response. The RSV genes were efficiently expressed in rSVV/RSV-infected Vero cells as RSV-G and -M2 transcripts were detected by RT-PCR, and RSV antigens were detected by immunofluorescence and immunoblot assays. The rSVVs replicated efficiently in Vero cell culture. Rhesus macaques immunized with rSVV/RSV-G and rSVV/RSV-M2 vaccines produced antibody responses to SVV and RSV antigens. The results demonstrate that recombinant varicella viruses are suitable vectors for the expression of RSV antigens and may represent a novel vaccine strategy for immunization against both pathogens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, 4301 West Markham Street, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
authors.forename: Toby M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.affiliation: Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA 70433, USA.
authors.forename: Vicki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Traina-Dorge
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, 4301 West Markham Street, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
authors.forename: Kara A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, 4301 West Markham Street, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
authors.forename: Wayne L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Gray
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D022261:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D012136:Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D014709:Vero Cells; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine; D022261:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins; C116204:attachment protein G