A Comparative Approach between Heterologous Prime-Boost Vaccination Strategy and DNA Vaccinations for Rabies

Background and aim: 5DELHVLVDZLGHVSUHDGQHXURORJLFDO�)RRQRWLFGLVHDVHFDXVLQJVL JQLoFDQWPRUWDOLW\�UDWHV��HVSHFLDOO\�LQGHYHORSLQJ� countries. Although a vaccine for rabies is available, its production and scheduling are costly in such countries. Advances in recombinant DNA technology have made it a good candidate for an affordable vaccine. Among the proteins of rabies virus, the Glycoprotein (RVG) has been the major target for new vaccine development which plays the principal role in providing complete protection against RV challenge. 7KHDLPRIWKLVVWXG\�LVWRSURGXFHUHFRPELQDQW�59*�ZKLFKFRXOGEHD�'1$�YDFFLQHFDQGLGDWHDQGWRHYDOXDWHWKHHIoFLHQF\�RIWK LVFRQ - struct in a prime-boost vaccination regimen, compared to commercial vaccine. Methods: Cloning to pcDNA3.1(+) and expression of rabies virus glycoprotein gene in BSR cell line were performed followed by SDS- PAGE and Western blot analysis of the expressed glycoprotein. The resulting genetic construct was used as a DNA vaccine by injecting 80 μg of the plasmid to MNRI mice twice. Prime-Boost vaccination strategy was performed using 80 μg plasmid construct as prime dose and the second dose of an inactivated rabies virus vaccine. Production of rabies virus neutralizing antibody (RVNA) titers of the serum samples were determined by RFFIT. Results: In comparisons between heterologous prime-boost vaccination strategy and DNA vaccinations, the potency of group D that Conclusion: In this study, RVGP expressing construct was used in a comparative approach between Prime-Boost vaccination strategy and DNA vaccination and compared with the standard method of rabies vaccination. It was concluded that this strategy could lead to induc- tion of acceptable humoral immunity.