Protection of hamsters against experimental mumps virus (MuV) infection by antibodies raised against the MuV surface glycoproteins expressed from recombinant vaccinia virus vectors.

The fusion (F) and haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) glycoproteins of mumps virus (MuV) have been produced in CV1 cells via vaccinia virus recombinants. Recombinant proteins accumulated in infected cells and were glycosylated. Upon reduction, the F protein product was completely converted into its subunits. Hamsters infected with vaccinia recombinants expressing either the F or HN proteins produced antibodies recognizing MuV antigens and neutralizing MuV infectivity in vitro. These antibodies provided protection against MuV-induced encephalitis in newborn hamsters.