DNA Vaccine Encoding the prM-E Polyprotein of the Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus
摘要
We evaluated immunogenicity of the experimental DNA-vaccine construct pVAX-prM-E encoding the polyprotein prM-E of the tick-borne encephalitis virus (strain Sofjin). It was shown that pVAX-prM-E administered to mice using a needle-free jet injector induced the production of high levels of virus-neutralizing antibodies. The level of humoral response to pVAX-prM-E was comparable to that induced by administration of the commercial Tick-E-Vac vaccine. ELISpot analysis of the T-cell response showed that the obtained construct induces high levels of IFNγ in response to stimulation with a pool of specific E protein peptides. These findings indicate the high protective potential of this experimental DNA vaccine.