Immune responses to individual rotavirus proteins following heterologous and homologous rotavirus infection in mice

J Infect Dis. 1997 Jun;175(6):1317-23. doi: 10.1086/516462.

Abstract

Serum and intestinal humoral immune responses to rotavirus proteins VP2, VP4, VP6, VP7, NSP2, and NSP4 were quantitatively compared in mice infected with a homologous murine rotavirus (EHPw) or a heterologous simian rotavirus (RRV). Viral protein-specific antibody responses were measured by an immunohistochemistry assay that uses recombinant baculovirus-expressed rotavirus proteins as antigens. In serum, IgG responses to VP6 were dominant and comparable in both RRV- and EHPw-infected groups, but responses to VP2, VP4, VP7, and NSP2 were higher in RRV infection. In feces, IgA responses to VP2, VP4, and VP6 were higher in EHPw-infected mice, but responses to VP7 and NSP2 were detected only in the RRV-infected group. These findings indicate that immune responses to homologous and heterologous rotavirus infection vary both quantitatively and qualitatively. Differences in humoral responses may play a role in the differences in protection induced following homologous or heterologous rotavirus infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / analysis*
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Antigens, Viral
  • Cell Line
  • Feces / chemistry
  • Female
  • Haplorhini
  • Immunoglobulin A / analysis
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Recombinant Proteins / immunology
  • Rotavirus / immunology*
  • Rotavirus Infections / immunology*
  • Species Specificity
  • Spodoptera
  • Viral Proteins / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antigens, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Viral Proteins