BackgroundLittle is known about the immunological events that take place once ASF virus infects either domestic or wild pigs. The most discussed aspects of ASF virus infection are the apparent lack of classical neutralizing antibodies and the existence of virus isolate specific protection. Most likely, thses aspects of protective immunity have been greatly exaggerated. Thus there is no doubt that antibodies can play a positive role in protection, although a contribution of cellular immunity is certainly also important. The strategy for vaccine development takes into account the two critical observations relating to immunity to ASF virus: first the multiplicity of mechanisms and targets of immunity observed in infected animals and second, the fact that the only successes in experimental infection have either been attributed to serum antibodies to defined virus proteins (p30, p54, p72) or to exposure to attenuated virus isolates. Accordingly, we will pursue the two corresponding approaches, both of which target the vaccine to macrophages/antigen presenting cells and thus ensure simulation of both CD4 and CD8 T cells as well as B cells. |
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