FUNCTIONAL AND IMMUNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF THE BACULOVIRUS-EXPRESSED HEMAGGLUTININ OF AFRICAN SWINE FEVER VIRUS

A recombinant baculovirus harboring the hemagglutinin (HA) gene of Afr ican swine fever virus, with homology to the T-lymphocyte surface anti gen CD2, was constructed. The efficient expression of the HA gene was determined by immunofluorescence and Western blot studies on insect ce lls infected with the recombinant baculovirus. The baculovirus-express ed HA showed hemadsorption and erythrocyte-agglutinating activities ch aracteristic of the CD2 homolog protein induced by the virus in infect ed macrophages. Pigs immunized with the recombinant HA developed hemag glutination-inhibition and temporary infection-inhibition antibodies t hat recognize a 75;kDa structural protein and were protected against l ethal infection. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.