Induction of protective immune responses against EV71 in mice by baculovirus encoding a novel expression cassette for capsid protein VP1

EV71 is a major causative agent of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) and is responsible for large outbreaks in various Asian Pacific countries. In the present study, we generated the recombinant baculovirus (Bac-VP1) encoding VP1 in a novel expression cassette. The transmembrane domain of hemagglutinin of the H3N2 influenza virus was included in the cassette as a minimal membrane anchor for VP1. The protective immunity of Bac-VP1 was investigated in a mouse model. The results showed that mice vaccinated with live Bac-VP1 had strong VP1 specific antibody responses. In an in vitro neutralization assay Bac-VP1 sera exhibited cross-neutralization against homologous and heterologous EV71 strains with a maximum titer of 1:512. Passive immunization studies confirmed that these sera were able to provide 100% protection against 5 MLD50 of mouse adapted EV71 (B4 strain). This study revealed that baculovirus displaying VP1 with a HA transmembrane domain efficiently induced cross-neutralizing antibody responses in mice.

► Surface display of VP1 is enhanced using this novel expression cassette.
► Bac-VP1 elicited neutralizing antibodies which showed cross-protective against EV71.
► Newborn mice are passively protected by antisera of vaccinated mice.