Characterization of humoral responses in mice immunized with plasmid DNAs encoding SARS-CoV spike gene fragments

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2004 Mar 19;315(4):1134-9. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2004.01.166.

Abstract

The immunological characteristics of SARS-CoV spike protein were investigated by administering mice with plasmids encoding various S gene fragments. We showed that the secreting forms of S1, S2 subunits and the N-terminus of S1 subunit (residues 18-495) were capable of eliciting SARS-CoV specific antibodies and the region immediate to N-terminus of matured S1 protein contained an important immunogenic determinant for elicitation of SARS-CoV specific antibodies. In addition, mice immunized with plasmids encoding S1 fragment developed a Th1-mediated antibody isotype switching. Another interesting finding was that mouse antibodies elicited separately by plasmids encoding S1 and S2 subunits cooperatively neutralized SARS-CoV but neither the S1 nor S2 specific antibodies did, suggesting the possible role of both S1 and S2 subunits in host cell docking and entry. These results provide insights into understanding the immunological characteristics of spike protein and the development of subunit vaccines against SARS-CoV.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies / immunology
  • Antibody Formation / drug effects
  • Gene Expression
  • Immunity, Cellular
  • Immunization
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • Plasmids / immunology*
  • Protein Subunits / immunology
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / immunology
  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / genetics*
  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / immunology
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • Vaccines, DNA / genetics
  • Vaccines, DNA / immunology*
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / genetics*
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Protein Subunits
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • Vaccines, DNA
  • Viral Envelope Proteins