A novel multi-variant epitope ensemble vaccine against avian leukosis virus subgroup J. Issue 48 (4th December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Xiaoyu; Zhou, Defang; Wang, Guihua; Huang, Libo; Zheng, Qiankun; Li, Chengui; Cheng, Ziqiang
• Is Part Of: Vaccine. Volume 35:Issue 48(2017)Part B
• Page Start: 6685
• Page End: 6690
• Publication Date: 2017-12-04
• Subjects: Avian leukosis virus subgroup J -- Multi-variant epitope ensemble vaccine -- Immunogenicity -- Protective efficacy; Vaccines -- Periodicals; 615.372
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.10.019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-410X

Abstract

Highlights: A novel multi-variant epitope vaccine of ALV-J was developed. The multi-variant epitope vaccine provides 100% protection for ALV-J infection. The novel vaccine protects the host against other four ALV-J strains infection. Abstract: The hypervariable antigenicity and immunosuppressive features of avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) has led to great challenges to develop effective vaccines. Epitope vaccine will be a perspective trend. Previously, we identified a variant antigenic neutralizing epitope in hypervariable region 1 (hr1) of ALV-J, N-LRDFIA/E/T KWKS/G DDL/H LIRPYVNQS-C. BLAST analysis showed that the mutation of A, E, T and H in this epitope cover 79% of all ALV-J strains. Base on this data, we designed a multi-variant epitope ensemble vaccine comprising the four mutation variants linked with glycine and serine. The recombinant multi-variant epitope gene was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21. The expressed protein of the variant multi-variant epitope gene can react with positive sera and monoclonal antibodies of ALV-J, while cannot react with ALV-J negative sera. The multi-variant epitope vaccine that conjugated Freund's adjuvant complete/incomplete showed high immunogenicity that reached the titer of 1:64, 000 at 42 days post immunization and maintained the immune period for at least 126 days in SPF chickens. Further, we demonstrated that the antibody induced by the variant multi-variant ensemble epitope vaccine recognized and neutralized different ALV-J strains (NX0101, TA1, WS1, BZ1224 and BZ4). Protection experiment that was evaluated by clinical symptom, viral shedding, weight gain, gross and histopathology showed 100% chickens that inoculated the multi-epitope vaccine were well protected against ALV-J challenge. The result shows a promising multi-variant epitope ensemble vaccine against hypervariable viruses in animals.