title: Protective and immunogenic effects of Escherichia coli-expressed infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) VP2-VP3 fusion protein in rainbow trout.
abstract: Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis Virus (IPNV) is a member of the family Birnaviridae which causes significant losses in the aquaculture industry. To develop a recombinant vaccine for IPNV, a cDNA construct of IPNV VP2-VP3 fusion gene was prepared and cloned into an Escherichia coli (E. coli) expression vector (pET-26b) to obtain recombinant protein products. A study was conducted to determine the antibody responses and protective capacity of this recombinant vaccine expressing VP2-VP3 fusion protein. Subsequently, juvenile rainbow trout were inoculated by injecting purified recombinant IPNV VP2-VP3 proteins, followed by challenge with virulent IPNV in rainbow trout. Our results demonstrate that recombinant E. coli derived VP2-VP3 fusion protein induced a strong and significantly (P < 0.05) higher IgM antibody response in serum samples compared to control groups. Following intraperitoneal challenge, the relative percent survival (RPS) rate of survivors was 83% for the vaccinated group. Statistical analysis of IgM levels indicated that immunogenicity of recombinant VP2-VP3 protein, combined with adjuvant, was much higher than any other groups of rainbow trout challenged with virulent IPNV. This result was confirmed by measuring the viral loads of IPNV in immunized rainbow trout which was drastically reduced, as analyzed by real-time RT-PCR. In summary, we demonstrate that E. coli-expressed IPNV VP2-VP3 injectable vaccine is highly immunogenic and protective against IPNV infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Aquatic Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran. Electronic address: dadar.m77@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dadar
authors.affiliation: Center of Biotechnology Research, College of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Hamid Rajabi
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Memari
authors.affiliation: Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, 21202, USA.
authors.forename: Vikram N
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Vakharia
authors.affiliation: Department of Aquatic Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Rahim
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Peyghan
authors.affiliation: Center of Virology Research, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: MasodReza Seifi Abad
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Shapouri
authors.affiliation: Department of Aquatic Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Takavar
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mohammadian
authors.affiliation: Iranian Veterinary Organization, Central Veterinary Laboratory, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hasanzadeh
authors.affiliation: Iranian Fisheries Research Organization, Inland Water Aquaculture Research Center, Bandar Anzali, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohades
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghasemi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018175:Birnaviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D018061:Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D017686:Oncorhynchus mykiss; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D014611:Vaccination / Q000662:veterinary*; D014760:Viral Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D019562:Viral Load / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D014760:Viral Fusion Proteins
keywords: E. coli expression; Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV); Rainbow trout; Recombinant vaccine; VP2-VP3 fusion protein