A comparative study between outbred and inbred rat strains for the use in in vivo IPV potency testing

Vaccine. 2018 May 17;36(21):2917-2920. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.04.024.

Abstract

In vivo potency testing of inactivated poliovirus vaccines (IPV) is generally performed in rats, although no systematic investigation has identified the most appropriate rat strain for anti-poliovirus antibody quantification. We investigated humoral immune responses to IPV in five different rat strains to identify the most suitable strain. Three outbred (Wistar, Wistar Hannover, Sprague-Dawley) and two inbred rat strains (Fisher 344, Wistar Furth) were immunized intramuscularly with a full or one-fifth human dose of commercial IPV. Anti-poliovirus neutralizing antibody (NA) titers were measured using Salk and Sabin virus neutralizing assays. Post-vaccination responses varied between strains; inbred strains showed greater animal-to-animal variation in NA responses than outbred strains. Virus NA titers persisted for 9 weeks with little reduction in the response. The outbred Wistar rat model was identified as the preferred strain for IPV potency testing based on its capacity to produce high, dose-dependent anti-poliovirus NA responses, with low animal-to-animal variation.

Keywords: Animal model; Immunogenicity; Inactivated poliovirus vaccine; Neutralizing antibodies; Sabin; Salk.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Outbred Strains*
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / blood*
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic
  • Injections, Intramuscular
  • Neutralization Tests
  • Poliovirus Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Poliovirus Vaccines / immunology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains*
  • Vaccines, Inactivated / administration & dosage
  • Vaccines, Inactivated / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Poliovirus Vaccines
  • Vaccines, Inactivated