Development of a Genetically Engineered Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus Vaccine
Abstract
The genomes of Trinidad donkey (TRD) and TC-83 strains of Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) viruses have been cloned and their nucleotide sequences determined. cDNA encoding the structural proteins of TRD and TC-83 viruses were inserted into vaccinia virus under control of the vaccinia virus 7. 5K promoter. Synthesis of the capsid protein and glycoproteins E1 and E2 was demonstrated by immunofluorescence, immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting lysates of recombinant virus infected cells. Mice immunized with the recombinant VEE/vaccinia virus developed VEE virus-specific neutralizing antibodies and survived intraperitoneal challenge with virulent VEE virus of subtypes IAB, IC, ID, and II. Unlike immunization with attenuated TC-83 virus, mice immunized with the VEE/vaccinia recombinant vaccinia viruses was serocomplex-specific, with slight cross-reactivity to eastern equine encephalitis virus. Proliferating T- cells secreted interleukin 2 (IL2). Reactivity of primed T-cells with subtype IC, ID, IE, III, and IV viruses was poor and similar to the murine antibody response to immunization.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 20, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA204146
Entities
People
- Dennis W. Trent
Organizations
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention