MURINE GAMMA-HERPESVIRUS-68 GLYCOPROTEIN-150 PROTECTS AGAINST VIRUS-INDUCED MONONUCLEOSIS - A MODEL SYSTEM FOR GAMMA-HERPESVIRUS VACCINATION

Murine gamma-herpesvirus 68 (MHV-68) is a model for the study of the p athogenesis of gamma-herpesviruses. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a high ly related gamma-herpesvirus that causes significant disease in humans . The major membrane antigen gp350 of EBV is a candidate vaccine antig en for protection against EBV-related disease. An MHV-68 glycoprotein, gp150, has significant homology to EBV gp350. We have therefore used the MHV-68 gp150 to model the potential efficacy of EBV gp350 in prote cting from virus-associated disease. A recombinant vaccinia virus expr essing MHV-68 gp150 was constructed. This recombinant vaccinia virus w as used to infect mice via the subcutaneous route. This vaccination re sulted in production of MHV-68-neutralising antibodies. Mice were then challenged intra-nasally with MHV-68. MHV-68-associated mononucleosis was virtually abrogated in immunised mice. However, mice did establis h MHV-68 latency. The results suggest that gp350 may be effective as a n immunogen to prevent EBV-associated infectious mononucleosis in huma ns that are EBV-seronegative. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All right s reserved.