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Home / Equine Research Bank / PLoS One / Induction of antibody responses to African horse sickness vi...
PloS one2009; 4(6); e5997; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005997

Induction of antibody responses to African horse sickness virus (AHSV) in ponies after vaccination with recombinant modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA).

Abstract: African horse sickness virus (AHSV) causes a non-contagious, infectious disease in equids, with mortality rates that can exceed 90% in susceptible horse populations. AHSV vaccines play a crucial role in the control of the disease; however, there are concerns over the use of polyvalent live attenuated vaccines particularly in areas where AHSV is not endemic. Therefore, it is important to consider alternative approaches for AHSV vaccine development. We have carried out a pilot study to investigate the ability of recombinant modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vaccines expressing VP2, VP7 or NS3 genes of AHSV to stimulate immune responses against AHSV antigens in the horse. Results: VP2, VP7 and NS3 genes from AHSV-4/Madrid87 were cloned into the vaccinia transfer vector pSC11 and recombinant MVA viruses generated. Antigen expression or transcription of the AHSV genes from cells infected with the recombinant viruses was confirmed. Pairs of ponies were vaccinated with MVAVP2, MVAVP7 or MVANS3 and both MVA vector and AHSV antigen-specific antibody responses were analysed. Vaccination with MVAVP2 induced a strong AHSV neutralising antibody response (VN titre up to a value of 2). MVAVP7 also induced AHSV antigen-specific responses, detected by western blotting. NS3 specific antibody responses were not detected. Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrates the immunogenicity of recombinant MVA vectored AHSV vaccines, in particular MVAVP2, and indicates that further work to investigate whether these vaccines would confer protection from lethal AHSV challenge in the horse is justifiable.
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Publication Date: 2009-06-22 PubMed ID: 19543394PubMed Central: PMC2694985DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005997Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The researchers conducted an early-stage study on the potential of recombinant modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vaccines, expressing specific genes of the African horse sickness virus (AHSV), to stimulate immune responses against AHSV in horses. The results suggest the vaccines, particularly the one expressing the VP2 gene, induced strong, antigen-specific immune responses.

Research Objective

  • The research aims to address the need for a new approach to developing vaccines for the African horse sickness virus (AHSV). While polyvalent live attenuated vaccines currently exist, there are concerns about their use, particularly in areas where AHSV is not endemic. Against this backdrop, the researchers have embarked on a pilot study to test the potential of modified recombinant vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vaccines expressing the AHSV genes VP2, VP7, and NS3. The objective is to see if these vaccines can stimulate an immune response against AHSV in horses.

Methodology

  • The process began with the cloning of VP2, VP7, and NS3 genes from the AHSV-4/Madrid87 strain into the vaccinia transfer vector pSC11. This enabled them to generate recombinant MVA viruses.
  • The next stage involved confirming transcription or antigen expression of the AHSV genes from cells infected with the newly generated recombinant viruses.
  • Subsequently, pairs of ponies were vaccinated with the three recombinant MVA vector vaccines: MVAVP2, MVAVP7, and MVANS3. The research team then analysed both MVA vector and AHSV antigen-specific antibody responses.

Results

  • Vaccination with MVAVP2 led to a strong neutralizing antibody response against AHSV (with a VN titre up to a value of 2).
  • The MVAVP7 vaccine also resulted in AHSV antigen-specific responses, which were detected using western blotting. However, the MVANS3 vaccine did not trigger NS3 specific antibody responses.

Conclusions

  • The study indicated a clear immunogenic potential for the recombinant MVA vectored AHSV vaccines, particularly the MVAVP2. As such, the researchers suggest that there is justification for further investigation into whether these vaccines can provide protection from lethal AHSV infections in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Chiam R, Sharp E, Maan S, Rao S, Mertens P, Blacklaws B, Davis-Poynter N, Wood J, Castillo-Olivares J. (2009). Induction of antibody responses to African horse sickness virus (AHSV) in ponies after vaccination with recombinant modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA). PLoS One, 4(6), e5997. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0005997

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 4
Issue: 6
Pages: e5997

Researcher Affiliations

Chiam, Rachael
  • Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk, United Kingdom.
Sharp, Emma
    Maan, Sushila
      Rao, Shujing
        Mertens, Peter
          Blacklaws, Barbara
            Davis-Poynter, Nick
              Wood, James
                Castillo-Olivares, Javier

                  MeSH Terms

                  • African Horse Sickness Virus / immunology
                  • Animals
                  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
                  • Antigens, Viral / chemistry
                  • Capsid Proteins / chemistry
                  • Gene Expression Regulation
                  • Horses
                  • Neutralization Tests
                  • Vaccination
                  • Vaccines, Attenuated
                  • Vaccines, Synthetic / therapeutic use
                  • Viral Core Proteins / chemistry
                  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / chemistry
                  • Viral Vaccines / therapeutic use

                  Grant Funding

                  • BBS/B/00654 / Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

                  Conflict of Interest Statement

                  Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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