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Updated: Jul 31, 2026
Optimization of a Quantitative Micro-neutralization Assay
Published on: December 14, 2016
C3d enhancement of neutralizing antibodies to measles hemagglutinin
T D Green1, B R Newton, P A Rota
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Brody Health Sciences Building, 600 Moye Boulevard, Greenville, NC 27858-4354, USA.
Abstract:
Measles remains a major cause of worldwide infant mortality despite the use of current live attenuated vaccines. New approaches to measles virus (MV) vaccine development are critical to interrupt the spread of MV. In this study, we report the results using a DNA vaccine expressing a fusion of the measles hemagglutinin (H) protein and the complement component, C3d, to enhance the titers of neutralizing antibody. Plasmids were generated that expressed a secreted (s) form of H and the same form fused to three tandem copies of the murine homologue of C3d (sH-3C3d). Analysis of titers of the antibody raised in vaccinated mice indicated that immunizations with the DNA expressing sH-3C3d had higher titers of anti-H antibodies compared to serum from mice vaccinated with DNA expressing sH only. In addition, sH-3C3d elicited higher neutralizing antibody titers that inhibited MV induced plaque formation.
Insights
Developing a novel DNA vaccine combining measles hemagglutinin (H) protein with C3d component significantly enhanced neutralizing antibody titers in mice. This approach shows promise for more effective measles virus (MV) vaccine development.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Measles virus (MV) remains a significant global infant mortality cause, necessitating improved vaccine strategies.
- Current live attenuated vaccines face challenges in completely interrupting MV transmission worldwide.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel DNA vaccine strategy for measles virus (MV) by enhancing neutralizing antibody responses.
- To assess the immunogenicity of a DNA vaccine expressing a fusion protein of measles hemagglutinin (H) and complement component C3d.
Main Methods:
- Generated DNA plasmids encoding a secreted (s) form of measles H protein (sH) and a fusion protein of sH with three tandem copies of murine C3d (sH-3C3d).
- Administered DNA vaccines to mice and analyzed the resulting antibody titers and neutralizing antibody activity against MV.
Main Results:
- Immunization with sH-3C3d DNA vaccine elicited significantly higher titers of anti-H antibodies compared to sH DNA vaccine alone.
- The sH-3C3d fusion protein induced superior neutralizing antibody titers, effectively inhibiting MV-induced plaque formation.
Conclusions:
- Fusion of measles H protein with C3d component in a DNA vaccine enhances anti-H antibody production and neutralizing capacity.
- This DNA vaccine approach represents a promising new strategy for developing more effective measles vaccines to combat MV spread.
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