RESUMO
Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is considered an important cause of economic loss within bovine herds worldwide. In Argentina, only the use of inactivated vaccines is allowed, however, the efficacy of inactivated BVDV vaccines is variable due to its low immunogenicity. The use of recombinant subunit vaccines has been proposed as an alternative to overcome this difficulty. Different studies on protection against BVDV infection have focused the E2 protein, supporting its putative use in subunit vaccines. Utilization of transgenic plants expressing recombinant antigens for the formulation of experimental vaccines represents an innovative and cost effective alternative to the classical fermentation systems. The aim of this work was to develop transgenic alfalfa plants (Medicago sativa, L.) expressing a truncated version of the structural protein E2 from BVDV fused to a molecule named APCH, that target to antigen presenting cells (APCH-tE2). The concentration of recombinant APCH-tE2 in alfalfa leaves was 1 µg/g at fresh weight and its expression remained stable after vegetative propagation. A methodology based an aqueous two phases system was standardized for concentration and partial purification of APCH-tE2 from alfalfa. Guinea pigs parentally immunized with leaf extracts developed high titers of neutralizing antibodies. In bovine, the APCH-tE2 subunit vaccine was able to induce BVDV-specific neutralizing antibodies. After challenge, bovines inoculated with 3 µg of APCH-tE2 produced in alfalfa transgenic plants showed complete virological protection.
Assuntos
Doença das Mucosas por Vírus da Diarreia Viral Bovina/prevenção & controle , Vírus da Diarreia Viral Bovina Tipo 1/imunologia , Medicago sativa/genética , Medicago sativa/imunologia , Vacinas Virais/farmacologia , Animais , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/biossíntese , Anticorpos Antivirais/biossíntese , Doença das Mucosas por Vírus da Diarreia Viral Bovina/imunologia , Doença das Mucosas por Vírus da Diarreia Viral Bovina/virologia , Bovinos , Vírus da Diarreia Viral Bovina Tipo 1/genética , Feminino , Cobaias , Masculino , Plantas Geneticamente Modificadas , Proteínas Recombinantes de Fusão/genética , Proteínas Recombinantes de Fusão/imunologia , Resultado do Tratamento , Vacinação/veterinária , Vacinas Sintéticas/genética , Vacinas Sintéticas/imunologia , Vacinas Sintéticas/farmacologia , Proteínas do Envelope Viral/genética , Proteínas do Envelope Viral/imunologia , Vacinas Virais/genética , Vacinas Virais/imunologiaRESUMO
The use of transgenic plants as vectors for the expression of viral and bacterial antigens has been increasingly tested as an alternative methodology for the production of experimental vaccines. Here, we report the production of transgenic alfalfa plants containing the genes encoding the polyprotein P1 and the protease 3C of foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV). The immunogenicity of the expressed products was tested using a mouse experimental model. Parenterally immunized mice developed a strong antibody response and were completely protected when challenged with the virulent virus. This report demonstrates the possibility of using transgenic plants to express polyprotein P1 and the protease 3C of FMDV and their utilization as effective experimental immunogens.