The Protection Efficacity of DNA Vaccine Encoding Hemagglutinin of H5 Subtype Avian Influenza Virus

The DNA vaccine pCIHA5 encoding hemagglutinin can protect SPF chicken against lethal H5N1 avian influenza virus challenge. The more characters about its protection efficacity were studied. The protective rates in 10, 40, 70, 100 and 150 μg groups immunized with pCIHA5 were 12.5 (1/8), 58.3 (7/12), 72.7 (8/11), 50.0 (6/12) and 66.7% (8/12), respectively. The protective rates in 5, 20, 35 and 50 μg groups were 145.5 (5/11), 58.3 (7/12), 58.3 (7/12) and 91.7% (11/12), respectively. The 70, 100 and 5 μg groups have virus shedding of 1/8, 2/6 and 1/5. Though the inactived oil-emulsion vaccine has high HI antibody titers and 100% protective rate, the AGP antibody could be detected after vaccination. Results show that the pCIHA5 is fit to boost by intramuscular injection. This would be useful to the study on gene engineering vaccine of avian influenza virus.

Mortality rates from a Nigerian isolate of the <i>Infectious Bursa Disease Virus</i>and passive haemagglutination antibody titer that protects chicks against challenge with the virus isolate

To determine passive haemagglutination (PHA) antibody titer that would protect chicks against Nigerian isolates of the Infectious Bursa Disease Virus (IBDV), five groups of chicks aged 30 days which had different antibody titers were challenged with a Nigerian isolate of virulent IBDV. Mortality rates of the different groups were plotted against their respective mean PHA antibody titers. A group with zero antibody titer had a mortality rate of 75% while those with PHA antibody titers of 185.6, 243.2, 256 and 307.2 had mortality rates of 40%, zero, zero and zero respectively. Linear equation generated for a line of best fit of the graph of mortality rates of the chicks on their IBD antibody titers gave antibody titer (X) at which mortality (Y) would be zero as 300. A mortality of 75% and the high antibody level needed to protect chicks suggest that the isolate may be a hypervirulent strain.

Antibodies elicited by Newcastle disease virus-vectored H7N9 avian influenza vaccine are functional in activating the complement system

H7N9 subtype avian influenza virus poses a great challenge for poultry industry.Newcastle disease virus(NDV)-vectored H7N9 avian influenza vaccines(NDV_(vec)H7N9)are effective in disease control because they are protective and allow mass administration.Of note,these vaccines elicit undetectable H7N9-specific hemagglutination-inhibition(HI)but high IgG antibodies in chickens.However,the molecular basis and protective mechanism underlying this particular antibody immunity remain unclear.Herein,immunization with an NDV_(vec)H7N9 induced low anti-H7N9 HI and virus neutralization titers but high levels of hemagglutinin(HA)-binding IgG antibodies in chickens.Three residues(S150,G151 and S152)in HA of H7N9 virus were identified as the dominant epitopes recognized by the NDV_(vec)H7N9 immune serum.Passively transferred NDV_(vec)H7N9 immune serum conferred complete protection against H7N9 virus infection in chickens.The NDV_(vec)H7N9 immune serum can mediate a potent lysis of HA-expressing and H7N9 virus-infected cells and significantly suppress H7N9 virus infectivity.These activities of the serum were significantly impaired after heat-inactivation or treatment with complement inhibitor,suggesting the engagement of the complement system.Moreover,mutations in the 150-SGS-152 sites in HA resulted in significant reductions in cell lysis and virus neutralization mediated by the NDV_(vec)H7N9 immune serum,indicating the requirement of antibody-antigen binding for complement activity.Therefore,antibodies induced by the NDV_(vec)H7N9 can activate antibody-dependent complement-mediated lysis of H7N9 virus-infected cells and complement-mediated neutralization of H7N9 virus.Our findings unveiled a novel role of the complement in protection conferred by the NDV_(vec)H7N9,highlighting a potential benefit of engaging the complement system in H7N9 vaccine design.

The Study of Natural Solution Protective Activity on H7N9 Virus

Background: One of potentially dangerous problems for a human organism is the new strain of a virus of bird flu-A/H7N9. As it is regular mutation of bird flu virus, it obvious, that of antibacterial preparations is not efficient. Efficiency decreases when the number of agents with multiple stability to antimicrobic remedy vastly increases, the part of associate infections enlarges, and aggression of opportunistic pathogenic flora rises. This reduces the role of the preparations in prevention of epidemics. Therefore, the optimization of only etiotropic therapies does not fully solve the problem. In this connection natural preparations seem extremely promising which strengthen the functional condition of immune system and, thereby, activate protective forces of macroorganism. Objectives: One of such preparations is BAE Synergy Liquid, a natural mineral water which was underwent subtle energetic changes at the natural energetic deposit. Design: An estimation of protective efficiency of naturally modified mineral BAE SL water was performed on white outbred mice-males in models of H7N9 virus. The animals were monitored during 16 days after infection, and survived and fallen mice were counted daily. Results: The results revealed significant effect of the investigated preparation as possible prophylactic care and medical remedy to the mentioned virus. This means that one can be considered as potential effective remedy for human. Conclusions: As significant effect of the immune system resistance was revealed, the experimental model with studied naturally modified mineral water is potentially generalizable.

Evaluation of the Protection against Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) Challenge in Progeny Born to Parents Having Received a Vaccination Program Using a Herpesvirus of Turkey-Infectious Bursal Disease (HVT-IBD) Vector Vaccine

Broiler breeder vaccination against IBD is usually based on the injection of at least one inactivated vaccine in oil adjuvant, typically included in a combined vaccine. Priming using one or several IBD vaccine (s) has been the most common way to immunize the breeders so far. In summary, protection against vvIBD challenge in chicks of one commercial genetic line vaccinated in ovo with the HVT-IBD vector vaccine was demonstrated. The parents’ IBD vaccination program, using the HVT-IBD vector vaccine alone, the HVT-IBD vector vaccine plus IBD inactivated vaccine, and inactivated IBD vaccine alone, did not impair their progeny’s in ovo HVT-IBD vector vaccine take and subsequent protection against vvIBD virus challenge. An advantage in terms of immunization of the progeny against vvIBD was shown in the chicks born to breeders vaccinated with the HVT-IBD vaccine as a primer, as compared to breeders vaccinated with the inactivated vaccine alone. High level of IBD maternally-derived antibodies transmitted to the progeny by their parents induces together with an early onset of immunity by in ovo injection of a HVT-IBD vector vaccine clinical protection, as monitored on bursas, after vvIBD virus challenge.

Promising Additives to Protect the Activity of Baculovirus Biocontrol Agent under Field-Sunlight Conditions in Egypt

Baculoviruses are effective biocontrol agents except of their short persistence under sunlight conditions. Four promising additives containing different groups of antioxidants were tested on cotton plant foliage. Spodoptera littoralis test insect and its nuclepolyhedrovirus （SpliNPV） are the standard material used in the investigation. Results are based on leaf-bioassays, to test Original Activity Remaining （OAR） and Lethal Infectivity Time to 50% （LIT50）of tested population of the virus after exposure to natural sunlight. The results showed that cacao additive at 10%, sustained 50% of virus activity for five days post application （113.11 hours） and three days and a half （83.33 hours） at 5% concentration. The virus alone treatment sustained 50% of its activity for only 24.07 hours. The obtained results suggested the possibility of prolonging the virus activity on plant foliage under field applications.

Protection by Recombinant Newcastle Disease Viruses (NDV) Expressing the Glycoprotein (G) of Avian Metapneumovirus (aMPV) Subtype A or B against Challenge with Virulent NDV and aMPV

Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) are threatening avian pathogens that can cause serious respiratory diseases in poultry worldwide. Vaccination, combined with strict biosecurity practices, has been the recommendation for controlling these diseases in the field. In the present study, we generated NDV LaSota vaccine strain-based recombinant viruses expressing the glycoprotein (G) of aMPV, subtype A or B, using reverse genetics technology. These recombinant viruses, rLS/aMPV-A G and rLS/aMPV-B G, were characterized in cell cultures and evaluated in turkeys as bivalent, next-generation vaccines. The results showed that these recombinant vaccine candi-dates were slightly attenuated in vivo, yet maintained similar growth dynamics, cytopathic effects, and virus titers in vitro when compared to the parental LaSota virus. The expression of the aMPV G protein in recombinant virus-infected cells was detected by immunofluorescence. Vaccination of turkeys with rLS/aMPV-A G or rLS/aMPV-B G conferred complete protection against velogenic NDV, CA02 strain challenge and partial protection against homologous patho-genic aMPV challenge. These results suggest that the LaSota recombinant virus is a safe and effective vaccine vector and expression of the G protein alone is not sufficient to provide full protection against aMPV-A or -B infections. Ex-pression of other aMPV-A or -B virus immunogenic protein(s) individually or in conjunction with the G protein may be necessary to induce stronger and more protective immunity against aMPV diseases.

Heat Stability of HA Antigen in Influenza Virus Rapid Diagnosis Kit

[ Objective] The aim was to select protective agent of HA antigen of influenza virus. [ Method] H3N2 and H1 N1 subtype influenza virus were added into A - F groups to conduct accelerated test at 37 ℃and measure HA titer through hemagglutination test. t Result] Hemagglutination titers of H3 N2 and H, N1 subtype influenza virus were 20 and 32 in group A （ with PBS buffer solution） for 28 d; heat stability of HA antigen proved the best in group F （with BSA, fucose, proclin 300, triton 100） ; hemagglutination titers of HA antigen of H3N2 and H1 N1 subtype virus were 48 and 96 for 28 d. [ Conclusion] Components in group F were best in protection on HA antigen, which can be a candidate of protective agent.

An Attenuated Strain of Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus as a Biological Control Agent against Pathogenic Viral Strains

Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV), a member of the Tobamovirus genus, causes a severe disease of cucurbits. In the Moscow region of Russian Federation, the incidence of infection on cucumber plants in greenhouses is high;however, the virus is poorly studied. In this work, the full-length genomes of two pathogenic MC-1 and MC-2 strains of CGMMV isolated from cucumber plants grown in greenhouses in the Moscow region and the attenuated VIROG-43M strain were sequenced. Comparison of VIROG-43M nucleotide sequence with those of the pathogenic strains revealed three missense mutations. Their role in attenuation is discussed. For the first time, in a number of trials conducted under laboratory conditions and in commercial greenhouses, the efficiency of the attenuated VIROG-43M strain as a biocontrol agent for cucumber plant protection resulting in significant yield gain was demonstrated. Phylogenetic analysis with 83 full-length CGMMV coat protein genes isolated in 16 different countries showed that Russian strains are related to isolates from Spain, Greece, USA and Israel.

基于免疫调节探讨葛根汤颗粒治疗小鼠病毒性肺炎的作用机制

目的研究葛根汤颗粒对甲型流感病毒(influenza A virus,IAV)致小鼠病毒性肺炎模型的药效评价及免疫调节作用。方法ICR小鼠,13~15 g,分为正常对照组、模型对照组,磷酸奥司他韦阳性药对照组及葛根汤颗粒高、中、低剂量组(6.6、3.3、1.7 g-1·kg^(-1)·d^(-1)),每组10只,采用IAV(FM1株)病毒液感染建立小鼠病毒性肺炎模型,同时给予相关药物治疗。观察各组小鼠肺指数及肺指数抑制率,RT-PCR法检测肺组织核酸,ELISA法检测小鼠肺组织因子白介素-6(IL-6)、白介素-10(IL-10)、肿瘤坏死因子TNF-α;同时采用IAV(FM1株)病毒液滴鼻感染小鼠,造成死亡保护模型,观察小鼠感染后2周内的死亡情况,计算小鼠的死亡率、死亡保护率、平均存活天数和生命延长率。结果葛根汤颗粒中剂量组肺指数及肺组织病毒载量显著降低(P<0.01),肺指数抑制率为50.73%;葛根汤颗粒高、中剂量组肺组织炎性因子IL-10含量显著降低(P<0.01)、葛根汤颗粒中、低剂量组肺组织炎性因子TNF-α含量显著降低(P<0.01);葛根汤颗粒3个剂量组肺组织炎性因子IL-6含量显著降低(P<0.01);模型组小鼠死亡率90%,平均存活天数9.45 d,葛根汤颗粒3个剂量组小鼠死亡率显著降低、平均存活天数显著延长,生命延长率显著提高(P<0.01)。结论葛根汤颗粒可通过调节模型小鼠免疫炎性因子水平达到改善病毒性肺炎小鼠免疫功能的作用,同时可显著降低模型小鼠肺指数和肺组织病毒载量,从而减轻模型小鼠的肺部炎性损伤;对模型小鼠有死亡保护作用。

具有切换特性和免疫控制的计算机病毒传播模型

针对目前计算机病毒传播建模研究中没有综合考虑安全防护以及病毒持续更新的影响,提出具有切换特性和免疫控制的计算机病毒SEIR(Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovery)传播模型。考虑安全防护措施和病毒更新的影响,构建切换型病毒传播模型,该模型由低防护子系统和高防护子系统构成。考虑免疫控制策略,构建切换脉冲型病毒传播模型。为验证模型的有效性,分别在BA无标度网络和SW小世界网络进行数值仿真,并且进行对比分析。实验结果表明:在SW小世界网络中免疫控制策略更能有效控制病毒的传播;低防护传播期与高防护传播期的比值越小,达到平稳时潜伏节点和感染节点的密度越小;病毒的更新周期越长,潜伏节点和感染节点的峰值密度越低。

免疫鸡血清新城疫病毒抗体水平与攻毒保护效果的相关性研究

为了明确不同血清新城疫病毒(NDV)抗体水平对鸡的保护效果,本研究采用重组NDV灭活疫苗(A-Ⅶ株)对鸡进行免疫,通过交叉血凝抑制(HI)试验比较A-Ⅶ株与La Sota株间的血清学差异,并采用NDV标准强毒株F_(48)E_(8)和基因Ⅶ型强毒株JSC0804对不同抗体水平免疫鸡进行了攻毒保护试验。结果显示:抗A-Ⅶ株血清用A-Ⅶ株抗原测得的平均HI抗体效价显著高于La Sota株抗原(P<0.01),约高1.5log2,而抗La Sota株血清用La Sota株抗原测得的平均HI抗体效价稍高于A-Ⅶ株抗原,但无显著差异(P>0.05),表明2种疫苗株存在一定的血清学差异。在试验条件下,所有免疫鸡经点眼滴鼻攻毒后均未表现明显临床症状,但存在不同程度的排毒现象,排毒率总体上随抗体效价升高呈逐渐下降趋势。A-Ⅶ株疫苗免疫鸡血清HI抗体效价分别达≥13log_(2)和≥14log_(2)时可完全阻止F_(48)E_8株和JSC0804株排毒。免疫鸡排毒一般仅限于攻毒后5 d内。本研究阐明了免疫鸡的抗体水平和免疫保护效果的相关性,为新城疫免疫控制提供了依据。

兼抗4种烟草病毒病弱毒疫苗的构建与效果分析

为解决单靶标疫苗无法同时防治多种烟草病毒病的现状,以黄瓜花叶病毒Fny株系(Cucumber mosaic virus Fny,CMV_(Fny))为疫苗载体,利用重叠PCR技术在CMV_(Fny) RNA2弱毒突变体基础上以不同排列顺序插入TMV、PVY和TVBMV的部分基因组保守片段,构建了6种在本氏烟中交叉保护效果好、遗传稳定,并且对CMV、TMV、PVY和TVBMV 4种病毒均具有一定抗性的重组型病毒。6种重组型病毒对CMV单独侵染的防效均超过87%,对其他3种病毒单独侵染的防效为22.2%~46.2%,对4种病毒混合侵染的防效维持在16%~37%。本研究为烟草病毒病的防治提供了疫苗材料,丰富了植物病毒弱毒疫苗创制的实践。

广西H9N2亚型禽流感病毒疫苗候选株的筛选

【目的】筛选出免疫原性更优的H9N2亚型禽流感病毒(AIV)疫苗候选株用于新型疫苗研发,为加强对H9N2亚型AIV的防控提供技术支持。【方法】以2000—2020年广西地区分离获得的36株H9N2亚型AIV分离株为试验材料,依据HA基因遗传进化分析选择12株不同年份、不同地域及不同宿主来源的H9N2亚型AIV代表株,与目前使用的商品化H9亚型AIV疫苗株(SS株)进行交叉血凝抑制试验(HI)及抗原性分析,根据抗原分析结果选择其中具有不同抗原差异的代表株制备油乳剂灭活疫苗,并分别与商品化H9亚型AIV疫苗(SS株)进行交叉免疫保护试验。【结果】在36株H9N2亚型AIV广西分离株中有31株属于Y280-Like(9.4.1),其中26株属于分支I、5株属于分支II,另外5株属于G1-Like(h9.4.1),与我国常用疫苗株分属于不同进化分支。12株H9N2亚型AIV广西代表性分离株灭活后的HA效价≥7 log2,病毒灭活效果良好,可用于制备油乳剂灭活疫苗,且制备的油乳剂灭活疫苗稳定性和安全性良好。根据交互HI抗体滴度计算出各毒株间的抗原相关值(R),结果发现A/chicken/Guangxi/C227/2015(H9N2)株(简称C227株)与其他毒株的抗原性无明显差异,对应的R在0.72~0.93间波动;疫苗交叉保护试验结果也表明,C227株制备的油乳剂灭活疫苗对不同毒株的免疫保护率均高于80%,且免疫保护效果优于A/chicken/Guangxi/CX/2013(H9N2)株(简称CX13株),说明C227株更适合作为H9N2亚型AIV灭活疫苗的候选株。【结论】基于抗原性分析和免疫原性测定筛选出的A/chicken/Guangxi/C227/2015(H9N2)株对广西地区绝大部分H9N2亚型AIV流行株的免疫保护效果良好,可作为疫苗候选株用于研制新型H9N2亚型AIV疫苗。

整合REV-LTR基因的MDV活疫苗与亲本CVI988/Rispens株的免疫效力比较

利用同源重组技术将禽网状内皮组织增生症病毒(REV)的长末端重复序列(LTR)整合进CVI988/Rispens疫苗株基因组中所构建成的重组马立克氏病病毒株(r MDV-LTR株),具有较高的增殖效率。为比较r MDV-LTR株与亲本CVI988/Rispens株的免疫效力差异,开展了对这两种疫苗的比较试验。试验将这两种疫苗分别按照三个不同剂量经颈背部皮下接种1日龄SPF鸡。接种后第7 d,攻毒马立克氏病强毒株rMd5,连续观察60 d后进行剖检。临床病理观察结果发现,以不低于250 PFU/羽剂量的rMDV-LTR株或CVI988/Rispens株免疫SPF雏鸡都可以提供大于80%的免疫保护效率;以125 PFU/羽剂量的两种疫苗虽均不能提供大于80%的免疫保护效力,但rMDV-LTR株免疫组试验鸡未出现死亡,仅有2只鸡出现消瘦,剖解脏器无肿瘤,而CVI988/Rispens株免疫组鸡出现2只死亡,其中1只剖解后检出肿瘤。rMDV-LTR株和CVI988/Rispens株免疫组的免疫保护指数分别为77.78%和66.67%。由实验结果可见,在较小免疫剂量下,rMDV-LTR株免疫保护率高于亲本CVI988/Rispens疫苗株。说明重组毒rMDV-LTR疫苗株可以作为一种安全的、有效的新型MDV疫苗。

抗日本乙型脑炎病毒的线粒体靶向小分子化合物的筛选及鉴定

[目的]线粒体作为重要的能量代谢细胞器,不仅可以调控宿主先天免疫通路影响病毒复制,而且其生物学功能的改变与病毒生命周期密不可分。本文旨在确定抑制日本乙型脑炎病毒(JEV)的线粒体靶向化合物。[方法]通过体外CCK-8、间接免疫荧光、蛋白免疫印迹、RT-qPCR以及细胞因子检测等试验,对382种线粒体靶向化合物抗JEV的效果进行评价,筛选到的敏感药物在小鼠体内进行抗病毒效果验证。[结果]通过药物初筛,从382种药物中筛选出9种疑似抗JEV药物,进一步的体外分子试验筛选确定了其中3种药物对JEV复制有明显的抑制作用,分别为丙酮酸钠(sodium 2-oxopropanoate)、布喹那(brequinar)及松果菊苷(echinacoside)。动物试验结果表明,3种药物有效抑制了JEV在小鼠体内的增殖,给药组小鼠体重增加明显高于对照组,血液中的病毒含量更低,死亡率更低,细胞因子水平出现显著变化,其中以布喹那给药组最为明显。[结论]成功筛选出3种抗JEV的线粒体靶向化合物,为探究线粒体在病毒复制中发挥的作用提供了借鉴,也为抗JEV的临床药物研发提供了新思路。

黄酮类化合物对PRV感染小鼠的保护作用研究

为了明确黄酮类化合物(槲皮素、木犀草素和山奈酚)对感染猪伪狂犬病病毒(Pseudorabies virus,PRV)小鼠的保护作用,试验将60只昆明小鼠随机分为6组(对照组、PRV组和4个药物组),每组10只(雌雄各半),除对照组外,其余组小鼠肌肉注射1×10^(2)TCID_(50)PRV,100μL/只;感染后1小时灌胃给药,药物组小鼠分别按体重灌胃100 mg/kg槲皮素、木犀草素、山奈酚或阿昔洛韦,对照组和PRV组小鼠灌胃给予生理盐水,0.3 mL/只,连续给药7 d。试验期间,观察小鼠临床症状,统计小鼠死亡率,观察小鼠脏器组织病理学变化,并于试验第7天或小鼠濒死时采血,测定血清肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)和白细胞介素-6(IL-6)的含量,评价槲皮素、木犀草素和山奈酚对感染PRV小鼠的保护作用。结果表明:黄酮类化合物有效缓解了PRV感染导致的小鼠抓挠、啃咬皮肤和被毛脱落、皮肤破损等临床症状;PRV组小鼠存活率为20%,槲皮素、山奈酚、木犀草素和阿昔洛韦组小鼠存活率分别为40%、60%、50%和60%,均显著高于PRV组(P<0.05);黄酮类化合物有效减轻了感染PRV小鼠的各器官水肿、充血、出血和细胞坏死等病理损伤;与PRV组相比,槲皮素组和阿昔洛韦组血清中TNF-α和IL-6含量极显著升高(P<0.01),木犀草素组和山奈酚组血清中TNF-α和IL-6含量显著升高(P<0.05)。说明黄酮类化合物(槲皮素、木犀草素和山奈酚)能通过提高血清中炎症因子水平增强小鼠免疫功能,减轻感染PRV小鼠的临床症状和病理损伤,并提高小鼠的存活率,发挥抗PRV感染的作用。

Genetic and biological characteristics of the globally circulating H5N8 avian influenza viruses and the protective efficacy offered by the poultry vaccine currently used in China

The H5N8 avian influenza viruses have been widely circulating in wild birds and are responsible for the loss of over 33 million domestic poultry in Europe, Russia, Middle East, and Asia since January 2020. To monitor the invasion and spread of the H5N8 virus in China, we performed active surveillance by analyzing 317 wild bird samples and swab samples collected from 41,172 poultry all over the country. We isolated 22 H5N8 viruses from wild birds and 14 H5N8 viruses from waterfowls. Genetic analysis indicated that the 36 viruses formed two different genotypes: one genotype viruses were widely detected from different wild birds and domestic waterfowls;the other genotype was isolated from a whopper swan. We further revealed the origin and spatiotemporal spread of these two distinct H5N8 virus genotypes in 2020 and 2021. Animal studies indicated that the H5N8 isolates are highly pathogenic to chickens, mildly pathogenic in ducks, but have distinct pathotypes in mice. Moreover, we found that vaccinated poultry in China could be completely protected against H5N8 virus challenge. Given that the H5N8 viruses are likely to continue to spread in wild birds, vaccination of poultry is highly recommended in high-risk countries to prevent H5N8 avian influenza.

Electroporation-Mediated Immunization of a Candidate DNA Vaccine Expressing Dengue Virus Serotype 4 prM-E Antigen Confers Long-Term Protection in Mice

Dengue fever, caused by dengue viruses(DENVs), is a widespread mosquito-borne zoonotic disease; however, there is no available anti-dengue vaccine for worldwide use. In the current study, a DNA vaccine candidate(pV-D4 ME) expressing prM-E protein of DENV serotype 4(DENV-4) was constructed, and its immunogenicity and protection were evaluated in immunocompetent BALB/c mice. The pV-D4 ME candidate vaccine induced effective humoral and cellular immunity of mice against DENV-4 in vivo when administered both at 50 μg and 5 μg through electroporation. Two weeks after receiving three immunizations, both doses of pV-D4 ME DNA were shown to confer effective protection against lethal DENV-4 challenge. Notably, at 6 months after the three immunizations, 50 μg, but not 5 μg, of pV-D4 ME could provide stable protection(100% survival rate) against DENV-4 lethal challenge without any obvious clinical signs. These results suggest that immunization with 50 μg pV-D4 ME through electroporation could confer effective and long-term protection against DENV-4, offering a promising approach for development of a novel DNA vaccine against DENVs.

A Vesicular Stomatitis Virus-Based Vaccine Carrying Zika Virus Capsid Protein Protects Mice from Viral Infection

Dear Editor,Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne virus that belongs to the Flavivirus family along with dengue virus (DENV),yellow fever virus, West Nile virus, and Japanese encephalitis virus (Ming et al. 2016). ZIKV is a singlestranded positive-sense RNA virus encoding three structural proteins, including nucleocapsid protein C, prM/M,envelope glycoprotein E, and seven non-structural proteins.Since 2015.