McHDV VP60 Virus-like Particles Elicit Protective Immunity Against Moschus chrysogaster Hemorrhagic Disease in...

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Virology
• Infectious Diseases
• Vaccine Development

Background:

• Moschus chrysogaster viral hemorrhagic disease (McVHD) is a severe, fatal illness in musk deer.
• Currently, no effective prevention or treatment options exist for McVHD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a potential vaccine for McVHD.
• To express the Moschus chrysogaster hemorrhagic disease virus (McHDV) VP60 protein and assess its potential for vaccine development.

Main Methods:

• Constructed a recombinant bacmid with the McHDV VP60 gene.
• Generated recombinant baculovirus (rBac-McHDV VP60) in Sf9 insect cells.
• Expressed and purified McHDV VP60 protein, which self-assembled into virus-like particles (VLPs).

Main Results:

• Successfully expressed McHDV VP60 protein in an insect cell-baculovirus system.
• VLPs were structurally and immunologically similar to the native McHDV virion.
• Vaccination of rabbits with VLPs provided complete protection against McVHD starting on day 7 post-injection, with a strong humoral response.

Conclusions:

• This study is the first to express the McHDV VP60 gene using an insect baculovirus system.
• The generated VLPs show promise as a vaccine candidate for McVHD.
• Provides an experimental foundation for developing a VLP-based vaccine against McVHD.