Abstract
A murine gammaherpesvirus-68 (MHV-68) mutant with deregulated transcription of its ORF50 transactivator was severely impaired in latency establishment. The deregulated virus showed reduced immunogenicity, probably reflecting a lower antigen load. However, it still elicited effective immunity to a subsequent wild-type (WT) virus challenge. Infection was not completely prevented, but was very substantially reduced in extent and the long-term level of WT viral DNA in lungs and spleens remained low. Thus latency-deficient MHV-68 illustrates a possible general approach to creating attenuated gammaherpesvirus vaccines that can protect against pathogenic WT infections.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Administration, Intranasal
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Animals
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Antibodies, Viral / blood
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DNA, Viral / analysis
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DNA, Viral / isolation & purification
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Gammaherpesvirinae / genetics
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Gammaherpesvirinae / immunology*
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Gammaherpesvirinae / pathogenicity
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Gene Expression Regulation, Viral
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Herpesviridae Infections / immunology*
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Herpesviridae Infections / prevention & control*
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Immunity, Cellular
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Lung / virology
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Mutation*
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Spleen / virology
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Vaccination
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Viral Vaccines / administration & dosage
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Viral Vaccines / immunology*
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Virus Latency / genetics*
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Virus Latency / physiology
Substances
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Antibodies, Viral
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DNA, Viral
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Viral Vaccines