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Development of diagnostic tools for IBDV detection using plants as bioreactors
Evangelina Gómez1, María Florencia Cassani2,3, María Soledad Lucero2
1Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), De los Reseros y Nicolás Repetto s/n, 1686, Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina. gomez.evangelina@inta.gob.ar.
Researchers produced Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) subviral particles (SVP) in plants. These plant-produced SVP are effective for diagnosing IBDV in poultry, offering a new tool for the poultry industry.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Plant Biotechnology
- Immunodiagnostics
Background:
- Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) causes significant economic losses in poultry due to its immunosuppressive and contagious nature.
- Multimeric particles based on the VP2 capsid protein are utilized for various applications.
- Developing efficient production methods for IBDV antigens is crucial for disease control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To produce Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) subviral particles (SVP) using transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana.
- To evaluate the antigenic and immunogenic properties of plant-derived SVP.
- To assess the utility of SVP for developing a diagnostic tool for IBDV.
Main Methods:
- Transient transformation of Nicotiana benthamiana for SVP production.
- Electronic microscopy for SVP visualization.
- Serological assays to confirm antigenic similarity to native IBDV.
- Humoral immune response evaluation in chickens post-injection.
- Development and validation of an in-house ELISA using SVP.
Main Results:
- IBDV SVP were successfully produced and easily recovered from transformed Nicotiana benthamiana plants.
- Electron microscopy confirmed the presence of SVP with expected morphology.
- Plant-derived SVP were antigenically recognized by antibodies from IBDV-infected birds.
- Intramuscular injection of SVP elicited a humoral immune response in chickens.
- An in-house ELISA utilizing SVP demonstrated high accuracy, comparable to commercial assays.
Conclusions:
- Transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana is an effective method for producing IBDV SVP.
- The produced SVP are antigenically and immunogenically equivalent to native IBDV particles.
- The developed technology and recombinant antigen are suitable for creating a diagnostic tool for Infectious Bursal Disease.
