Expression of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) VP2–VP3 fusion protein in Lactobacillus casei and immunogenicity in rainbow trouts

Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) infects wild and cultured salmonids, causing high mortality in juvenile trouts and salmons. IPNV VP2–VP3 fusion gene was constructed by splicing overlap extension (SOE) PCR and inserted into Lactobacillus/Escherichia coli shuttle vectors (pPG1and pPG2) followed by transformation of Lactobacillus casei competent cell to yield two recombinant strains: Lc:PG1–VP2–VP3 (surface-displayed) and Lc:PG2–VP2–VP3 (secretory). Subsequently, juvenile rainbow trouts were inoculated with the recombinant strains via orogastric route. Our results demonstrated that Lactobacillus-derived VP2–VP3 fusion protein could induce production of serum IgM specific for IPNV with neutralizing activity in rainbow trouts. Statistical analyses of IgM levels showed that immunogenicity of Lc:PG1–VP2–VP3 was more powerful than that of Lc:PG2–VP2–VP3 (P < 0.001) in rainbow trouts. This result has been confirmed by viral loads reduction analyzed by real-time RT-PCR in orogastrically immunized rainbow trouts after virus challenging. Comparing to trouts received Lactobacillus (control), rainbow trouts orogastrically dosed with Lc:PG1–VP2–VP3 resulted in ∼10-fold reduction in viral loads on day 10 post-virus challenging, and ∼4-fold did by Lc:PG2–VP2–VP3. Taken together, Lc:PG1–VP2–VP3 functions as novel mucosal vaccine against IPNV infection in rainbow trouts, which most likely come true.

► We constructed recombinant lactobacillus expressing IPNV VP2–VP3 fusion protein.
► We analyzed its immunogenicity in rainbow trouts by orogastrical administration.
► We performed the comparison of immunogenicity of recombinant surface-displayed and secretory strains.