Antigenic and immunogenic properties of a chimera of two immunodominant African swine fever virus proteins

Arch Virol. 2001;146(9):1681-91. doi: 10.1007/s007050170056.

Abstract

A chimera of the two immunodominant African swine fever (ASF) virus proteins p54 and p30 was constructed by insertion of the gene CP204L into a Not I restriction site of E183L gene. The resulting chimeric protein p54/30, expressed by a recombinant baculovirus in insect cells and in Trichoplusia ni larvae, retained antigenic determinants present in both proteins and reacted in Western blot with a collection of sera from inapparent ASF virus carrier pigs. Remarkably, pigs immunized with the chimeric protein developed neutralizing antibodies and survived the challenge with a virulent African swine fever virus, presenting a reduction of about two logs in maximum viremia titers with respect to control pigs. In conclusion, this study revealed that the constructed chimeric protein may have utility as a serological diagnostic reagent and for further immunological studies that may provide new insights on mechanisms of protective immunity to ASFV.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • African Swine Fever / diagnosis*
  • African Swine Fever / prevention & control*
  • African Swine Fever / virology
  • African Swine Fever Virus / immunology*
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Baculoviridae / genetics
  • Baculoviridae / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Immunoblotting
  • Immunodominant Epitopes* / genetics
  • Immunodominant Epitopes* / immunology*
  • Immunodominant Epitopes* / metabolism
  • Macrophages, Alveolar / virology
  • Moths / virology
  • Neutralization Tests
  • Phosphoproteins / genetics
  • Phosphoproteins / immunology*
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / immunology
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Spodoptera
  • Swine
  • Vaccination
  • Viral Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / immunology*
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism
  • Viral Structural Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Structural Proteins / immunology*
  • Viral Structural Proteins / metabolism
  • Viral Vaccines / genetics
  • Viral Vaccines / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunodominant Epitopes
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Viral Proteins
  • Viral Structural Proteins
  • Viral Vaccines
  • p54 protein, African swine fever virus
  • P30 protein, African Swine Fever Virus