INHIBITION OF ROTAVIRUS INFECTION IN-VITRO AND IN-VIVO BY A SYNTHETICPEPTIDE FROM VP4

A synthetic peptide corresponding to bovine rotavirus C486 (BRV) VP4 a mino acid sequence 232-255 (VP4-peptide) was studied with the objectiv e of defining the origin of the protective immune response reported pr eviously by Ijaz et al. (J. Virol. 1991, 65, 3106-3113). Pretreatment of MA-104 cells with the VP4-peptide before infection with rotavirus, prevented both the attachment of S-35-labelled virus and plaque format ion in vitro. In vivo studies using a murine rotavirus model demonstra ted that intragastric administration of VP4-peptide protected subjects from challenge with virulent rotavirus. These results clearly indicat e the importance of this epitope in virus-cell interactions and their- potential as a rotavirus vaccine candidate. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.