Enhancement of humoral and cellular immunity in chickens against reticuloendotheliosis virus by DNA prime-protein boost vaccination

► A DNA vaccine encoding reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) gp90 protein was developed. ► An rgp90 protein vaccine was evaluated against REV infection in chickens. ► We compared the immune responses induced by different vaccination regimens. ► DNA prime-protein boost enhanced humoral and cellular immune responses in chickens. ► DNA prime-protein boost completely protected chickens against REV infection.