Induction of protective immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infection using highly attenuated recombinant vaccinia virus DIs

Virology. 2006 Aug 1;351(2):368-80. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2006.03.020. Epub 2006 May 6.

Abstract

SARS-coronavirus (SARS-CoV) has recently been identified as the causative agent of SARS. We constructed a series of recombinant DIs (rDIs), a highly attenuated vaccinia strain, expressing a gene encoding four structural proteins (E, M, N and S) of SARS-CoV individually or simultaneously. These rDIs elicited SARS-CoV-specific serum IgG antibody and T-cell responses in vaccinated mice following intranasal or subcutaneous administration. Mice that were subcutaneously vaccinated with rDIs expressing S protein with or without other structural proteins induced a high level of serum neutralizing IgG antibodies and demonstrated marked protective immunity against SARS-CoV challenge in the absence of a mucosal IgA response. These results indicate that the potent immune response elicited by subcutaneous injection of rDIs containing S is able to control mucosal infection by SARS-CoV. Thus, replication-deficient DIs constructs hold promise for the development of a safe and potent SARS vaccine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Cell Line
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin A / blood
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / immunology*
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / prevention & control*
  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / immunology*
  • Vaccines, Attenuated / immunology*
  • Vaccinia virus / genetics*
  • Viral Vaccines / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Vaccines, Attenuated
  • Viral Vaccines