DNA vaccine of SARS-Cov S gene induces antibody response in mice

Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai). 2004 Jan;36(1):37-41. doi: 10.1093/abbs/36.1.37.

Abstract

The spike (S) protein, a main surface antigen of SARS-coronavirus (SARS-CoV), is one of the most important antigen candidates for vaccine design. In the present study, three fragments of the truncated S protein were expressed in E.coli, and analyzed with pooled sera of convalescence phase of SARS patients. The full length S gene DNA vaccine was constructed and used to immunize BALB/c mice. The mouse serum IgG antibody against SARS-CoV was measured by ELISA with E. coli expressed truncated S protein or SARS-CoV lysate as diagnostic antigen. The results showed that all the three fragments of S protein expressed by E.coli was able to react with sera of SARS patients and the S gene DNA candidate vaccine could induce the production of specific IgG antibody against SARS-CoV efficiently in mice with seroconversion ratio of 75% after 3 times of immunization. These findings lay some foundations for further understanding the immunology of SARS-CoV and developing SARS vaccines.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation / immunology*
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / immunology
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / prevention & control*
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • Vaccines, DNA / immunology*
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / immunology*
  • Viral Vaccines / immunology*
  • Viral Vaccines / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • Vaccines, DNA
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • Viral Vaccines
  • spike glycoprotein, SARS-CoV
  • spike protein, mouse hepatitis virus