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Expression of Epstein–Barr virus gp350 as a single chain glycoprotein for an EBV subunit vaccine
February 1999
February 1999
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Abstract
There is currently no commercially available vaccine for Epstein Barr virus (EBV)-related
disease in humans. Since the EBV glycoprotein gp350/220 is the primary target for
EBV-neutralizing antibodies following natural infection in humans and some forms of
gp350/220 have been shown to protect against EBV-related disease in animal models,
it is a likely candidate for an EBV subunit vaccine. We have made gp350/220 gene constructs
that facilitate gp350 secretion from CHO cells and created splice site mutations in
the gene that effectively prevent production of the gp220 species. Recombinant CHO
cell gp350 (MSTOP gp350) is recognized by several different anti-gp350/220 monoclonal
antibodies, and is also competent to bind to the cellular EBV receptor, CD21, suggesting
that the recombinant protein is conformationally similar to wild-type EBV gp350/220.
The MSTOP gp350 antigen raises high antibody titers in rabbits and these antibodies
neutralize wild-type EBV. These properties make MSTOP gp350 a realistic candidate
for a subunit vaccine against EBV-related disease.