Approaches toward the development of DNA vaccine for influenza virus

Abstract

The main goals of this investigation were to prepare a viral DNA vaccine to help stimulate the immune system of poultry and to increase the efficiency of this vaccine. To accomplish this work, a strain of H5N1 circulating in Egypt was confirmed using rapid diagnostic methods and also, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes. The virus was propagated in MDCK cell line and the viral genes were extracted and reverse transcribed individually. Individual genes were cloned in gene expression vector (PHW2000) and were used as DNA vaccine. The level of maternal antibodies was determined by ELISA to appoint the right time to give the vaccine. The chicks were divided into eight groups and each group was vaccinated by the couple of DNA NP with one of the other genes. The efficiency of coupled DNA vaccine was determined by neutralization assay and compared with the inactivated vaccine. The results showed that the vaccine that had NP with NS had adequate protection for poultry.

Key words: H5N1, virus, vaccine, poultry, DNA.