A differential ELISA based on recombinant immunodominant epitopes of the gE gene of SHV-1 in a baculovirus-insect cell system to discriminate between pigs infected naturally with pseudorabies and vaccinated pigs.

SERENA MS; METZ GE; CORVA SG; MORTOLA EC; ECHEVERRIA MG

JOURNAL OF VIROLOGICAL METHODS

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Año: 2011 p. 388 - 393

0166-0934

In the present study, the fragment corresponding to the immunodominant epitopes of the gE gene (gEpi) from the CL15 Argentinean strain of pseudorabies virus was expressed successfully  in a baculovirus-insect cell system that contained the M6 gene of Bluetongue virus, which  encodes the NS1 nonstructural protein. This protein has the ability to polymerize into highly  immunogenic tubules inside infected cells that can be purified at large quantities by  ultracentrifugation. Previously, the NS1 protein has been expressed by fusing it to sequences  derived from viruses, such as human immunodeficiency virus type 1, hepatitis B virus, bovine  leukemia virus, foot-and-mouth disease virus and influenza A virus. In the present study, a  recombinant protein was obtained containing the gEpi fused to NS1 (NS1-gEpi) and used it as  ELISA antigen for detection of anti-gE antibodies in order to discriminate between infected and  vaccinated animals. This is the first report where gEpi was expressed in this particular  baculovirus-insect cell system.