IMMUNOGENICITY OF E-COLI-EXPRESSED SIGMA-3 PROTEIN OF AVIAN REOVIRUS IN CHICKENS

An E. coli-expressed fusion protein was used to study the immunogenici ty of avian reovirus sigma 3 protein in chickens. The protein induced the production of specific antibodies detectable by immunofluorescence , ELISA and immunoblot. The antibody titre was low as determined by EL ISA and was negative by virus neutralization test. However, when teste d in passive immunization studies, the chicken antiserum specific to t his protein and control antiserum from chickens vaccinated with avian reovirus S1133 strain showed some protection against virus-induced mor tality in 1-day-old chicks. The results thus confirm the importance of humoral immunity against avian reovirus infection and indicate that s igma 3 protein may play a role in the induction of protective antibodi es.