Abstract

Bluetongue virus is the aetiological agent of bluetongue, a disease of domestic and wild ruminants. Twenty-four serotypes are recognized. Novel subunit vaccines, that complement existing modified live polyvalent vaccines, are being developed. Serotype-specific viral neutralizing antibodies that are able to protect sheep against virulent homologous virus challenge can be induced by immunizing with the BTV outer capsid protein VP2 purified from virions or with VP2 expressed by baculovirus recombinants. Presentation of VP2 on virus-like particles, which assemble upon co-expression of the four major structural viral proteins (VP2, VP5, VP3 and VP7), improves the protective effect of VP2. Sheep immunized with core-like particles, comprised of VP3 and VP7, developed only limited clinical signs after virulent virus challenge, demonstrating that not only the outer capsid proteins, but also the core proteins are involved in protection against bluetongue.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.