Validation of a novel approach for the rapid production of immunogenic virus-like particles for bluetongue virus

Stewart, M. et al. (2010) Validation of a novel approach for the rapid production of immunogenic virus-like particles for bluetongue virus. Vaccine, 28(17), pp. 3047-3054. (doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.10.072) (PMID:19887134)

Abstract

Bluetongue virus causes an emerging disease of ruminants, principally affecting sheep and cattle. Since 1998, there have been multiple separate outbreaks of bluetongue disease in Europe that have highlighted the need for a safe, efficacious, DIVA compliant vaccine. We report here a new baculovirus expression strategy which allowed pre-integration of the genes encoding the BTV inner capsid proteins at one baculovirus locus and those encoding the outer capsid proteins at a different locus. A modified baculovirus with two marker proteins to facilitate the phenotypic selection of recombinant viruses was developed. The utility of this approach is demonstrated by the production of BTV VLPs to a number of serotypes. For a proof of concept, VLPs of one serotype was then tested for protective immune response. VLPs were demonstrated to be safe, highly effective, immunogens in sheep, reducing post-challenge viraemia to levels below the threshold detection limit of quantitative RT-PCR when vaccinated animals were challenged with virulent virus.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Stewart, Dr Meredith
• Authors: Stewart, M., Bhatia, Y., Athmaran, T.N., Noad, R., Gastaldi, C., Dubois, E., Russo, P., Thiéry, R., Sailleau, C., Bréard, E., Zientara, S., and Roy, P.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research
• Journal Name: Vaccine
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0264-410X
• ISSN (Online): 1873-2518
• Published Online: 01 November 2009