Construction and testing of a novel host-range defective myxoma virus vaccine with the M063 gene inactivated that is non-permissive for replication in rabbit cells.
Deletion of the M063 gene from myxoma virus produces a virus that is unable to replicate in rabbit cells in vitro or in live rabbits but can be propagated in non-rabbit cell lines. A targeted M063 deletion mutant was constructed in the attenuated Uriarra strain of myxoma virus and the ability of this virus to act as a safe, non-transmissible vaccine against myxomatosis was tested in outbred laboratory rabbits. Immunization with the M063 deletion vaccine provided good short-term protection against lethal challenge with virulent myxoma virus. Long-term protection was similar to reported results with heterologous live virus, with some rabbits protected but others succumbing to challenge. Replication-deficient poxvirus vaccines, like the Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara (MVA) in man and the myxoma virus vaccine described here in rabbits, are very attractive from a safety perspective. Seasonal boosting would be predicted to provide long-term protection. Targeted host-range gene deletions could have potential for rapid development of poxvirus vaccines in general.
Adams
Mathew M
MM
School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Science, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia.
van Leeuwen
Barbara H
BH
McFadden
Grant
G
Kerr
Peter J
PJ
D000818:Animals; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D016254:Mutagenesis, Insertional; D009233:Myxoma virus; D011213:Poxviridae Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D011817:Rabbits; D013997:Time Factors; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D014709:Vero Cells; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D014779:Virus Replication
D014765:Viral Vaccines