Immune response to ORF5a protein immunization is not protective against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus infection

Sally R. Robinson, Marina C. Figueiredo, Juan E. Abrahante, Michael P. Murtaugh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is an enveloped RNA virus responsible for PRRS in swine, a disease with globally significant animal welfare and economic concerns. There is no specific treatment and variably effective immune protection. Molecular mechanisms responsible for virulence, pathogenesis and protective immune response remain poorly understood. These factors limit progress toward development of effective measures for prevention and treatment of PRRS. A novel PRRSV ORF5a protein, encoded in an open reading frame (ORF) that overlaps the major envelope glycoprotein GP5 ORF, was recently identified. Because ORF5a is highly conserved in diverse PRRSV isolates, is a structural protein in the virion, and elicits a specific antibody response in infected pigs, we investigated its potential role in immune protection against PRRSV infection. Pigs immunized with ORF5a protein had robust serologic responses. However, the antibodies did not neutralize virus, and immunity did not protect against challenge infection. We conclude from these findings that the ORF5a antibody response is neither neutralizing nor protective.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)281-285
Number of pages5
JournalVeterinary Microbiology
Volume164
Issue number3-4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
SRR was supported by NIH Comparative Medicine and Pathology training grant T32RR018719 .

Keywords

  • Arterivirus
  • Immunology
  • Neutralizing antibody
  • PRRSV
  • Swine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Immune response to ORF5a protein immunization is not protective against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus infection'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this