DNA vaccine encoding Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus S1 protein induces protective immune responses in mice.

ABSTRACT: The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), is an emerging pathogen that continues to cause outbreaks in the Arabian peninsula and in travelers from this region, raising the concern that a global pandemic could occur. Here, we show that a DNA vaccine encoding the first 725 amino acids (S1) of MERS-CoV spike (S) protein induces antigen-specific humoral and cellular immune responses in mice. With three immunizations, high titers of neutralizing antibodies (up to 1: 10⁴) were generated without adjuvant. DNA vaccination with the MERS-CoV S1 gene markedly increased the frequencies of antigen-specific CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells secreting IFN-γ and other cytokines. Both pcDNA3.1-S1 DNA vaccine immunization and passive transfer of immune serum from pcDN

SUBMITTER: Chi H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5411280 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature