Hsp70 protein can enhance the immunogenicity of FMDV VP1 epitopes fused with PTD-J domain

An artificial FMDVepi polypeptide assembled by THand B-cell epitopes of FMDV VP1 capsid protein was prepared to study its immunogenicity. FMDVepi, PTD-J-FMDVepi and PTD-J-FMDVepi/mHsp70 complex were separately used to immunize mice to determine their antigenicities to elicit antibodies against FMDVepi and VP1. The immunogenicity of PTD-J-FMDVepi was stronger than that of FMDVepi. Moreover, addition of mHsp70 to PTD-J-FMDVepi significantly enhanced its antigenicity to elicit antibodies against both FMDVepi and VP1. The VP1 protein expressed in HeLa cells was detected locating in autophagosome by using the prepared antibodies.