Display of enterovirus 71 VP1 on baculovirus as a type II transmembrane protein elicits protective B and T cell responses in immunized mice.

Human enterovirus 71 (EV71) has become a major public health threat across Asia Pacific. The virus causes hand, foot, and mouth disease which can lead to neurological complications in young children. There are no specific antivirals or vaccines against EV71 infection. The major neutralizing epitope of EV71 is located in the carboxy-terminal half of the VP1 protein at amino acid positions 215-219 (Lim et al., 2012). To study the immunogenicity of VP1 we have developed a baculovirus vector which displays VP1 as a type II transmembrane protein, providing an accessible C-terminus. Immunization of mice with this recombinant baculovirus elicited neutralizing antibodies against heterologous EV71 in an in vitro microneutralization assay. Passive protection of neonatal mice confirmed the prophylactic efficacy of the antisera. Additionally, EV71 specific T cell responses were stimulated. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the display of VP1 as a type II transmembrane protein efficiently stimulated both humoral and cellular immunities.