Optimal place of a foreign gene in the genome of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) for development of VHSV-based viral-vectored vaccines

Aim: As the strength and duration of immune responses can be regulated by the antigen dose, higher expression of foreign antigens in the viral-vectored vaccines would be an important factor for inducing effective immune responses. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal insertion place of a foreign antigen gene in the genome of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) for development of VHSV-based viral-vectored vaccines.

Methods and results: Recombinant VHSVs (rVHSVs) harbouring the red fluorescent protein (RFP) gene between N and P (rVHSV-A-RFP), P and M (rVHSV-B-RFP), or M and G genes (rVHSV-C-RFP) in the genome were rescued by reverse genetics. Their replication ability and expression level of RFP were compared according to the inserted locations. The viral titres of each rVHSV were not significantly different. However, Epithelioma papulosum cyprini (EPC) cells infected with rVHSV-A-RFP or rVHSV-B-RFP showed clearly higher fluorescence than cells infected with rVHSV-C-RFP. There was no significant difference in RFP expression between cells infected with rVHSV-A-RFP and rVHSV-B-RFP.

Conclusions: The present results indicate that insertion of a foreign gene between N and P, or P and M genes of VHSV genome would be advantageous for development of VHSV-based viral-vectored vaccines.

Significance and impact of the study: The present work is the first report on the optimal location of a foreign gene in VHSV genome for high expression, and the locations identified in this study would be suitable for the development of VHSV-based viral-vectored vaccines.