Akabane virus (AKAV) is a member of the genus Orthobunyavirus in the family Bunyaviridae. Although pregnant animals infected with AKAV exhibit no clinical signs, in utero fetal exposure to the virus results in abortion, premature birth, stillbirth, and congenital deformities such as arthrogryposis and hydranencephaly syndrome. Five different neutralizing antigenic regions exist on the Gc envelope glycoprotein of AKAV. However, both position and sequence of these neutralizing epitopes are unknown. We identified two regions recognized by neutralizing antibodies. Moreover, serum from mice immunized with recombinant proteins based on these regions neutralized AKAV.
(Bacterial and Parasitic Disease Research Division)
References:
Japanese Patent (submitted, 2014-032120)
