Open AccessImmunization against rabies with plant-derived antigen
Author(s) -
A. Modelska,
Bernhard Dietzschold,
N. Sleysh,
Zhen F. Fu,
Klaudia Steplewski,
D. Craig Hooper,
Hilary Koprowski,
Vidadi Yusibov
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.95.5.2481
Subject(s) - rabies virus , virology , antigen , virus , rabies , immunization , immune system , neutralizing antibody , biology , rhabdoviridae , mononegavirales , antibody , immunology , microbiology and biotechnology , viral disease , paramyxoviridae
We previously demonstrated that recombinant plant virus particles containing a chimeric peptide representing two rabies virus epitopes stimulate virus neutralizing antibody synthesis in immunized mice. We show here that mice immunized intraperitoneally or orally (by gastric intubation or by feeding on virus-infected spinach leaves) with engineered plant virus particles containing rabies antigen mount a local and systemic immune response. After the third dose of antigen, given intraperitoneally, 40% of the mice were protected against challenge infection with a lethal dose of rabies virus. Oral administration of the antigen stimulated serum IgG and IgA synthesis and ameliorated the clinical signs caused by intranasal infection with an attenuated rabies virus strain.