Immunization with glycoprotein C of equine herpesvirus-1 is associated with accelerated virus clearance in a murine model.

The glycoprotein C (gC) gene of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) was expressed in insect cells by a recombinant baculovirus as several products with apparent molecular weights of 66 kDa-80 kDa. The baculovirus EHV-1 gC products were recognised by monoclonal antibody and by EHV-1 convalescent equine sera, indicating conservation of antigenic determinants and confirming this glycoprotein as a target for the equine immune system. Mice immunized with recombinant EHV-1 gC showed accelerated clearance of EHV-1 from respiratory tissues following intranasal challenge. Virus clearance was accompanied by virus specific antibodies and by cell mediated immune responses measured by a delayed type hypersensitivity reaction and lymphocyte stimulation by killed EHV-1 as antigen.