Development of a recombinant Lactobacillus plantarum oral vaccine expressing VP2 protein for preventing feline panleukopenia virus

• Published in: Veterinary microbiology 2024-11, Vol.298, p.110257, Article 110257
• Main Authors: Li, Jiakang, Zeng, Yue, Li, Luying, Peng, Jiajia, Yan, Quanhui, Ye, Zijun, Zhang, Yan, Li, Weihui, Cao, Longlong, Zhou, Dengyuan, Li, QiuYan, Si, Youhui, Cao, Shengbo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Administration, Oral; Animals; Antibodies, Neutralizing - blood; Antibodies, Viral - blood; Capsid Proteins - genetics; Capsid Proteins - immunology; Cats; Feline Panleukopenia - prevention & control; Feline Panleukopenia Virus; Feline Panleukopenia Virus - immunology; Female; Lactobacillus plantarum; Lactobacillus plantarum - genetics; Lactobacillus plantarum - immunology; Oral vaccine; Vaccination - veterinary; Vaccines, Synthetic - administration & dosage; Vaccines, Synthetic - immunology; Viral Vaccines - administration & dosage; Viral Vaccines - immunology
• ISSN: 0378-1135; 1873-2542; 1873-2542
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2024.110257

Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) represents a significant health threat to the kittens. While traditional vaccines administered via subcutaneous or intramuscular injection are effective, they can induce stress and adverse reactions. Moreover, unvaccinated kittens visiting veterinary clinics risk exposure to FPV, increasing their susceptibility to infection. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a safer, more gentle vaccination method with streamlined administration. In this study, we developed a recombinant L. plantarum NC8/VP2 expressing the VP2 protein of the prevalent Chinese FPV strain, FPV-251. Our results show that L. plantarum NC8/VP2 effectively colonizes the feline intestinal tract and induces high levels of neutralizing antibodies through oral administration. Kittens exhibited significant protection against FPV-251 infection and associated illnesses or fatalities after 30 days of continuous dosing. These results highlight the potential of recombinant L. plantarum NC8/VP2 as a novel oral vaccine for FPV, presenting a promising approach for disease prevention in domestic cats. •We developed an oral vaccine using Lactobacillus plantarum as a vector for the VP2 protein of China's prevalent FPV strain.•This oral vaccine offers a minimally invasive alternative to traditional vaccines.•Administering this recombinant strain orally induces high neutralizing antibodies, providing strong FPV protection.•This study meets the need for a safer, at-home FPV vaccination, reducing stress and reactions of injectable vaccines.