Comparison of the immunogenicity of two inactivated recombinant rabies viruses overexpressing the glycoprotein

Two recombinant rabies viruses overexpressing their glycoprotein (G) were compared in this study, with the overexpressed G inserted between P and M genes (named LBNSE-PM-G), and between the G and L genes (named LBNSE-GL-G), respectively. LBNSE-PM-G produced more G protein and induced stronger apoptosis than LBNSE-GL-G in infected cells, while the amount of virion-incorporated G in LBNSE-PM-G was less than in LBNSE-GL-G. Mice immunized with inactivated LBNSE-PM-G produced lower titers of virus-neutralizing antibody, and this recombinant conferred worse protection than LBNSE-GL-G. Our results suggest that over expressed G gene inserted between G and L, but not between P and M, enhanced the immunogenicity when used as an inactivated rabies vaccine.