Assessment of the cell-mediated immunity induced by alphavirus replicon-vectored DNA vaccines against classical swine fever in a mouse model

Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 2009 May 15;129(1-2):57-65. doi: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2008.12.011. Epub 2008 Dec 9.

Abstract

We have previously shown that an alphavirus replicon-vectored DNA vaccine (pSFV1CS-E2) encoding the E2 glycoprotein of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) completely protected the immunized pigs from lethal challenge. These animals developed only low or moderate level viral-specific antibody titers before challenge, implying that cell-mediated immunity (CMI) probably played an important role in the protective immunity against CSFV conferred by the DNA vaccine. In this study, the CMI induced by pSFV1CS-E2 and its derivative pSFV1CS-E2-UL49 encoding a fusion protein of CSFV E2 and pseudorabies virus (PRV) VP22 was evaluated in a mouse model by lymphoproliferation assays based on CFSE or WST-8, intracellular cytokine staining, and cytokine ELISA. The results showed that both vaccines induced CSFV-specific lymphoproliferative responses and cytokine production, and pSFV1CS-E2-UL49 induced stronger lymphoproliferative responses and higher cytokine levels than pSFV1CS-E2. These findings suggest that the alphavirus replicon-delivered DNA vaccines are capable of inducing CMI, and PRV VP22 is able to enhance the immunogenicity of the co-delivered antigen.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Classical Swine Fever / immunology*
  • Classical Swine Fever / prevention & control
  • Classical Swine Fever / virology
  • Classical Swine Fever Virus / genetics
  • Classical Swine Fever Virus / immunology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Immunity, Cellular / immunology
  • Immunization / veterinary
  • Interferon-gamma / immunology
  • Interleukin-4 / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • Plasmids / immunology
  • Replicon / genetics
  • Replicon / immunology
  • Swine
  • Vaccines, DNA / administration & dosage
  • Vaccines, DNA / immunology*
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / immunology
  • Viral Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Viral Vaccines / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Vaccines, DNA
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • Viral Vaccines
  • glycoprotein E2, classical swine fever virus
  • Interleukin-4
  • Interferon-gamma