Characterization of specific immune responses of mice inoculated with recombinant vaccinia virus expressing an 18-kilodalton outer membrane protein of Brucella abortus

Clin Diagn Lab Immunol. 2000 Jan;7(1):114-8. doi: 10.1128/CDLI.7.1.114-118.2000.

Abstract

Using the shuttle vector pMCO2 and the vaccinia virus wild-type WR strain, we constructed a recombinant virus expressing an 18-kDa outer membrane protein of Brucella abortus. BALB/c mice inoculated with this virus produced 18-kDa protein-specific antibodies, mostly of immunoglobulin G2a isotype, and in vitro stimulation of splenocytes from these mice with purified maltose binding protein-18-kDa protein fusion resulted in lymphocyte proliferation and gamma interferon production. However, these mice were not protected against a challenge with the virulent strain B. abortus 2308. Disruption of the 18-kDa protein's gene in vaccine strain B. abortus RB51 did not affect either the strain's protective capabilities or its in vivo attenuation characteristics. These observations suggest that the 18-kDa protein plays no role in protective immunity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / immunology*
  • Brucella abortus / immunology*
  • Brucellosis / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Immunoglobulin G / biosynthesis*
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Lymphocyte Count / drug effects
  • Maltose / chemistry
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Recombinant Proteins / immunology
  • Vaccinia virus / genetics*
  • Vaccinia virus / immunology*

Substances

  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Maltose
  • Interferon-gamma