Modification of infectious bursal disease virus antigen VP2 for cell surface location fails to enhance immunogenicity

The host protective antigen gene VP2 of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) was genetically modified and expressed by recombinant fowlpox viruses (rFPV). To achieve cell surface localization, VP2 was expressed as a hybrid protein with signal sequence and membrane anchors of influenza virus hemagglutinin or neuraminidase. Native VP2 was expressed as VP2 alone or as self-processing VP2-VP4-VP3 polyprotein for coexpression of IBDV structural proteins. VP2 hybrid protein containing the carboxy-terminal membrane anchor sequence of influenza virus hemagglutinin was located on the cell surface and was N-glycosylated. The expression of VP2 fused to the N-terminal signal/anchor sequence of influenza virus neuraminidase led to cell lysis and the VP2 protein remained mainly unglycosylated. Cell surface localization of VP2 reduced immunogenicity (antibody induction) and abolished protection in poultry in comparison with the native VP2 expressed by FPV as VP2 alone or as the self-processing VP2-VP4-VP3. Vaccination of poultry with rFPV expressing native VP2 protein alone provided better protection from IBDV infection than VP2 derived from the VP2-VP4-VP3 polyprotein.