Recognition of B and T cell epitopes by cattle immunized with a synthetic peptide containing the major immunogenic site of VP1 FMDV 01 Campos.

The precise location of B and T cell epitopes have been established in a peptide containing the major immunogenic site (residues 135-160) of FMDV strain 01 Campos (01C) VP1. The peptide (p135-160), administered free or conjugated to bovine serum albumin, induced complete protection in guinea pigs and a strong neutralizing antibody (NAb) response in cattle. Using a set of partially overlapping peptides it was shown that although several B cell epitopes were distributed along the p135-160, the residues responsible for the induction of NAb were restricted to the amino acids 135-144. In addition, bovines immunized with the p135-160 showed a strong proliferative response to this peptide but a very poor response against purified virus. Two T-epitopes were located in the 135-160 sequence: one on the region 135-144 and the other in the region 150-160. The immunodominance of these two T cell epitopes was confirmed in cattle immunized with inactivated virus vaccines.

[Immune response in mice induced by different doses of foot-and-mouth disease virus]. / Respuesta inmune en ratones inducida por diferentes dosis del virus de la Fiebre Aftosa.

Response against foot-and-mouth disease virus 01 Campos on vaccinated female mice and suckling litter was estimated. Vaccine doses ranged between 0.05 and 30 micrograms of virus. The lower dose protected 39.5% of suckling litter whereas 100% protection was achieved using the higher doses. Serum neutralization indexes in females, at 45 days post vaccination, ranged from 3.60 to 4.86 for 0.05 microgram to 0.10 microgram and 4.86 to 5.50 for the high doses. Although the doses were excessively high (eq. 1 mu/g average live weight) and (OH)3Al was used as adjuvant, no adverse effect on the immune system was detected in any of the vaccinated animals.