Truncated expression and immunogenicity analysis of VP2 protein of African horse sickness virus
In order to evaluate the immunogenicity of the truncated VP2 protein of African horse sickness virus(AHSV),the recombinant expression plasmids pRSF-S2-502(encoding 1-502 aa)and pRSF-S2-1056(encoding 503-1056 aa)were constructed using a synthetic full-length gene containing AHSV S2 as a template,and were transformed into Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)cells for specific expression.Mice were immunized with purified protein,and specific antibody levels in serum were determined by indirect ELISA.Flow cytometry was used to detect the T cell subsets,CD4+and CD8+T cells express IFN-γ levels.The results showed that,compared with PBS control group,the specific antibody levels in mice serum of all immunized groups were significantly increased,and the levels of CD4+T and CD8+T in spleen cells were significantly increased.The levels of IFN-γ expressed by CD4+and CD8+T cells in spleen cells of immunized mice groups were increased.The result showed that the purified truncated AHSV VP2 protein could produce good immunogenicity in mice,which laid a theoretical foundation for further studying on the biological function of VP2 protein and the development of AHSV subunit vaccine.