Porcine interferon- α linked to the porcine IgG-Fc induces prolonged and broad-spectrum antiviral effects against the foot-and-mouth disease virus

Antiviral Res. 2024 Feb 13:105836. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105836. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTFoot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an economically important disease, and the FMD virus (FMDV) can spread rapidly in susceptible animals. FMD is usually controlled through vaccination. However, commercial FMD vaccines are only effective 4-7 days after vaccination. Furthermore, FMDV comprises seven serotypes and various topotypes, and these aspects should be considered when selecting a vaccine. Antiviral agents could provide rapid and broad protection against FMDV. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a consensus porcine interferon-α (IFN-α) and Fc portion of porcine antibody IgG fusion protein (poIFN-α-Fc) using a baculovirus expression system to develop a novel antiviral agent against FMDV. We measured the antiviral effects of the poIFN-α-Fc protein against FMDV and the enhanced duration in vitro and in vivo. The broad-spectrum antiviral effects were tested against seven FMDV serotypes, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), and bovine enterovirus (BEV). Furthermore, the early protective effects and neutralizing antibody levels were tested by co-injecting poIFN-α-Fc and an FMD-inactivated vaccine into mice or pigs. Sustained antiviral effects in pig sera and mice were observed, and pigs injected with a combination of the poIFN-α-Fc and an inactivated FMD vaccine were protected against FMDV in a dose-dependent manner at 2- and 4-days post-vaccinati...
Source: Antiviral Research - Category: Virology Authors: Source Type: research