Evaluation of the immunogenicity of a transgenic tobacco plant expressing the recombinant fusion protein of GP5 of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and B subunit of Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin in pigs

Min Yuan Chia, Shih Hsuan Hsiao, Hui Ting Chan, Yi Yin Do, Pung Ling Huang, Hui Wen Chang, Yi Chieh Tsai, Chun Ming Lin, Victor Fei Pang, Chian Ren Jeng

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin B subunit (LTB) can be used as an adjuvant for co-administered antigens. Our previous study showed that the expression of neutralizing epitope GP5 of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in transgenic tobacco plant (GP5-T) could induce PRRSV-specific immune responses in pigs. A transgenic tobacco plant co-expressing LTB and PRRSV GP5 as a fusion protein (LTB-GP5-T) was further constructed and its immunogenicity was evaluated. Pigs were given orally three consecutive doses of equal concentration of recombinant GP5 protein expressed in leaves of LTB-GP5-T or GP5-T at a 2-week interval and challenged with PRRSV at 7 weeks post-initial immunization. Pigs receiving LTB-GP5-T or GP5-T developed PRRSV-specific antibody- and cell-mediated immunity and showed significantly lower viremia and tissue viral load and milder lung lesions than wild type tobacco plant (W-T). The LTB-GP5-T-treated group had relatively higher immune responses than the GP5-T-treated group, although the differences were not statistically significant.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)215-225
Number of pages11
JournalVeterinary Immunology and Immunopathology
Volume140
Issue number3-4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 15 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • GP5
  • LTB
  • PRRSV
  • Transgenic tobacco leaves

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology
  • veterinary(all)

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