A Cucumber Mosaic Virus Based Expression System for the Production of Porcine Circovirus Specific Vaccines

Abstract

Potential porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) capsid protein epitopes, suitable for expression on the surface of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) particles were determined by a thorough analysis of the predicted PCV capsid protein structure. The ab initio protein structure prediction was carried out with fold recognition and threading methods. The putative PCV epitopes were selected on the basis of PCV virion models and integrated into the plant virus coat protein, after amino acid position 131. The recombinants were tested for infectivity and stability on different Nicotiana species and stable recombinant virus particles were purified. The particles were tested for their ability to bind to PCV induced porcine antibodies and used for specific antibody induction in mice and pigs. The results showed that PCV epitopes expressed on the CMV surface were recognized by the porcine antibodies and they were also able to induce PCV specific antibody response. Challenge experiment with PCV2 carried out in immunized pigs showed partial protection against the infection. Based on these results it was concluded that specific antiviral vaccine production for the given pathogen was feasible, offering an inexpensive way for the mass production of such vaccines.

Porcine circovirus type 2 protective epitope densely carried by chimeric papaya ringspot virus–like particles expressed in Escherichia coli as a cost‐effective vaccine manufacture alternative

“…The three chimeric versions triggered very similar IgG levels (10,000 titers), although there were statistically significant differences (α = 0.05) between all groups; PRSV-PCV2-C induced higher IgG titers, followed by PRSV-PCV2-N and PRSV-PCV2 19-28. On the other hand, PRSV wt IgG response was negligible compared to the chimeric versions. In a recent work, the PCV2 C-terminus sequence was displayed at the surface of cucumber mosaic virus by genetic fusion, immunization of mice, and piglets with these chimeric particles elicited the production of antibodies against the displayed epitope and challenged pigs showed partial protection against PCV2 [41]. The mouse immunization scheme used in the mentioned work was quite similar to the one used here.…”

Recent Advances in the Use of Plant Virus-Like Particles as Vaccines

“…Another vaccine against foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) was designed using a bamboo mosaic virus (BaMV) vector and 37 AAs from the FMDV VP1 protein; all immunized swine were protected against FMDV challenge [58]. Another veterinary trial demonstrated vaccine safety and the protection of pigs against porcine circovirus (PCV) after vaccination with an inactivated CMV-based vaccine containing an incorporated PCV CP epitope [59].…”

Plant molecular farming of virus‐like nanoparticles as vaccines and reagents

“…Plant-made vaccines for PCV and BFDV have been investigated: a recombinant infectious cucumber mosaic virus-based display of PCV CP peptides showed some promise (Gellert, Salanki, Tombacz, Tuboly, & Balazs, 2012); expression via agroinfiltration of BFDV CP fused to elastin-like polypeptides so as to create protein bodies was also successful (Duvenage, Hitzeroth, Meyers, & Rybicki, 2013). However, it is only recently that VLPs have been made for either virus in plants.…”