PEG-modified subunit vaccine encoding dominant epitope to enhance immune response against spring viraemia of carp virus.

Spring viraemia of carp (SVC) caused by spring viraemia of carp virus (SVCV) can infect almost all fish of cyprinids, which bring huge economic losses to aquaculture. Glycoprotein (G), as the most important antigenic determinant protein of SVCV, is widely considered as an effective method against SVCV. In our previous study, we found that G3 (131 aa) is the potential dominant antigen epitope that induces strong immune responses similar to G protein (510 aa). Here, in order to further improve the immune effect, we reported a subunit vaccine (PEG-G3) constructed by PEG-modified dominant epitope protein (G3). The results of serum antibody production, enzyme activities and immune-related genes expression showed that PEG-G3 induces significantly stronger immune protective responses against SVCV than G3. PEG modification significantly increased the serum antibody level of the vaccine, which increased significantly after immunization and reached the peak at 21 day post-vaccination. T-AOC and AKP activities in the lowest concentration group (5 µg) of PEG-G3 were significantly higher than those in the highest concentration group (20 µg) of G3. In PEG-G3 group, the expression of almost all genes increased at least 4 times compared with the control group. After 14-day challenge, the RPS (relative percentage survival) of the highest concentration of PEG-G3 group was 53.6%, while that of G3 group is 38.9%. Therefore, this work shows that PEG modification and dominant epitope screening may be effective methods to improve the immune protective effect of vaccines and to resist the infection of aquatic animal viral diseases.

[Design and application of spectacle frame for eye moxibustion].

The new style spectacle frame for eye moxibustion is designed, which is characterized by adjustable direction, constant temperature and smoke absorption. Combined with mechanical structure design and physical and chemical technology, a new style of moxibustion spectacle frame is designed by means of spring mechanism, damping bearing, filter cotton, etc. The moxibustion spectacle frame includes the right and left eye frames, spectacle legs, nose mask, eye mask, slide rod, screw rod, spring structure, damping bearing, support rod and pin. The eye mask can prevent from the risks induced by the burning moxa stick. A ventilate hole is designed in the lower part of the nose mask to keep breathing unobstructed. In the upper end of the ventilate hole, a filter cotton is placed to prevent from moxa smoke penetrating to the nasal cavity. The spring structure can keep relatively the fixed distance between the combustion area and the acupoints. Such device ensures the safety of eye moxibustion, reduces the complexity of operation and is suitable for moxibustion treatment for all kinds of eye diseases.