STUDY OF IMMUNOBIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF E BOLA-VIRUS VP24 PROTEIN EXPRESSED BY RECOMBINANT VACCINIA VIRUS

Immunological and biochemical parameters were studied in guinea pigs i mmunized with recombinant vaccinia virus containing full-sized gene of Ebola virus vp24 protein and then infected with virulent strain of Eb ola virus. The majority of the studied parameters changed similarly in guinea pigs immunized with recombinant vaccinia virus and control gui nea pigs inoculated with vaccinia virus both before and after challeng e with Ebola virus. However, in animals immunized with recombinant vac cinia virus producing vp24 some biochemical parameters, the mean life span after challenge with Ebola virus, the level of antibodies to the virus and the phagocytic activity of neutrophils indicated the develop ment of immunological processes other than in controls, namely, the de velopment of immune response to vp24. Although these processes did not eventually lead to the survival of animals, they prolonged the mean l ife span and resulted in the production of anti-Ebola antibodies, thou gh the level thereof was low. These data demonstrate that recombinant vaccines against Ebola fever are a promising trend of research.