Oral immunization with rotavirus VP7 expressed in transgenic potatoes induced high titers of mucosal neutralizing IgA

Virology. 2003 Sep 1;313(2):337-42. doi: 10.1016/s0042-6822(03)00280-0.

Abstract

Rotaviruses (RV) are a common cause of severe diarrhea in young children, resulting in nearly one million deaths worldwide annually. Rotavirus VP7 was the rotavirus neutralizing protein. Previous study reported that VP7 DNA vaccine can induce high levels of IgG in mice but cannot protect mice against challenge (Choi, A.H., Basu, M., Rae, M.N., McNeal, M.M., Ward, R.L., 1998. Virology 250, 230-240). We found that rotavirus VP7 could maintain its neutralizing immunity when it was transformed into the potato genome. Mice immunized with the transformed tubers successfully elicited serum IgG and mucosal IgA specific for VP7. The mucosal IgA titer was as high as 1000, while serum IgG titer was only 600. Neutralizing assays indicated that IgA could neutralize rotavirus. These results indicate the potential usefulness of plants for production and delivery of edible rotavirus vaccines.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / analysis*
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Antigens, Viral / biosynthesis
  • Antigens, Viral / genetics
  • Antigens, Viral / immunology*
  • Capsid Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Capsid Proteins / genetics
  • Capsid Proteins / immunology*
  • Feces / virology
  • Immunization
  • Immunoglobulin A / analysis*
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Intestinal Mucosa / immunology*
  • Intestinal Mucosa / virology
  • Mice
  • Neutralization Tests
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / metabolism
  • Rotavirus Infections / immunology
  • Rotavirus Infections / prevention & control
  • Rotavirus Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Rotavirus Vaccines / biosynthesis
  • Rotavirus Vaccines / immunology*
  • Solanum tuberosum / genetics*
  • Solanum tuberosum / metabolism
  • Transfection
  • Vaccines, Edible / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antigens, Viral
  • Capsid Proteins
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Rotavirus Vaccines
  • VP7 protein, Rotavirus
  • Vaccines, Edible