Induction of neutralizing antibodies and partial protection from viral challenge in Macaca fascicularis immunized with recombinant dengue 4 virus envelope glycoprotein expressed in Pichia pastoris.

A recombinant vaccine that expresses the envelope (E) gene of dengue virus type 4 was tested for immunogenicity and protection in Macaca fascicularis. One hundred micrograms of semipurified recombinant E protein (E4rec) expressed in Pichia pastoris was used to immunize three animals. Neutralizing antibodies to dengue 4 virus with a titer of 1:30 were detected in all immunized monkeys prior to challenge. Animals were challenged with 10(5) plaque-forming units of dengue 4 virus. One vaccine-immunized monkey was protected from viremia, while the other two were partially protected. Monkeys immunized with E4rec elicited the highest neutralizing antibody titers (P < 0.05) ranging from 1:85 to 1:640 at day 30. In both immunized and control animals, the longest duration of viremia correlated with earliest and highest level of IgM antibody to dengue virus. The vaccinated animals showed anamnestic antibody responses upon virus challenge, indicating successful priming by the recombinant vaccine. Our results suggest that E4rec expressed in P. pastoris can provide partial protection against viremia. However, the results were not effective enough to use it as a vaccine candidate. Further work is required to improve the quality of the immunogen.