ARS | Publication request: REARRANGEMENT OF THE GENE ORDER OF VSV RESULTS IN THE GENERATION VIRUSES THAT CAN INDUCE PROTECTIVE IMMUNITY IN A NATURAL HOST, SWINE, WITHOUT CAUSING DISEASE.

Submitted to: American Society for Virology Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: March 6, 2000
Publication Date: May 25, 2000

Technical Abstract: The gene order of the rhabdoviruses is highly conserved and transcription is controlled by the position of a gene relative to the to the single 3' promoter. Previously we demonstrated that by manipulation of a cDNA it was possible to recover infectious vesicular stomatitis viruses (VSV) having the gene order rearranged. We recovered a series of VSVs having the G and N genes rearrange; 3'PMGNL5', 3'GPMNL5' 3'GNPML5', as compared to the wild type 3'NPMGL5'. We found that movement of the G gene towards the promoter increased G gene expression while movement of the N gene away from the promoter decreased N gene expression and replication potential. Groups of 4 pigs, 8-10 weeks old, were inoculated with each of the viruses and monitored for disease symptoms and antibody production. After 36 days they were challenged with wild-type virus. All viruses stimulated antibody production. The wild-type and virus 3'GNPML5' caused disease. However, viruses having the gene order 3'PMGNL5' or 3'GPMNL5' caused no disease symptomatology while protecting animals against challenge. These viruses have potential as vaccine candidates in the natural host.