Self-assembled nanoparticle with E protein domain III of DTMUV based on ferritin as carrier can induce a more comprehensive immune response and against DTMUV challenge in duck

Duck Tembusu virus (DTMUV) causes severe reduction in egg production and neurological symptoms in ducklings. Vaccination is the primary measure used to prevent DTMUV infections. In this study, self-assembled nanoparticles with the E protein domain III of DTMUV, using ferritin as a carrier (EDⅢ-RFNp), were prepared using a prokaryotic expression system. Ducks were intramuscularly vaccinated with EDⅢ-RFNp, EDⅢ protein, an inactivated vaccine HB strain (InV-HB), and PBS. At 0, 4, and 6 weeks post-primary vaccination, the EDIII protein-specific antibody titre, IL-4, and IFN-γ concentrations in serum were determined by ELISA, and neutralising antibodies titres in sera were determined by virus neutralising assay. Peripheral blood lymphocytes proliferation was determined by CCK-8 kit. Following challenge with the virulent DTMUV strain, the clinical signals and survival rate of the vaccinated ducks were recorded, and DTMUV RNA levels in the blood and tissues of the surviving ducks were determined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. The near-spherical EDⅢ-RFNp nanoparticles with 13.29 ± 1.43 nm diameter were observed by transmission electron microscope. At 4 and 6 weeks post-primary vaccination, special and Virus neutralisation (VN) antibodies, lymphocyte proliferation (stimulator index, SI), and concentrations of IL-4 and IFN-γ in the EDⅢ-RFNp group were significantly higher than in the EDⅢ and PBS groups. In the DTMUV virulent strain challenge test, the EDⅢ-RFNp-vaccinated ducks showed milder clinical signs and higher survival rates than EDⅢ- and PBS-vaccinated ducks. The DTMUV RNA levels in the blood and tissues of EDⅢ-RFNp-vaccinated ducks were significantly lower than those in EDⅢ- and PBS-vaccinated ducks. Additionally, the EDⅢ protein-special and VN antibodies, SI value, and concentration of IL-4 and IFN-γ in the InV-HB group was significantly higher than that of the PBS group at 4 and 6 weeks post-primary vaccination. InV-HB provided more efficient protection than PBS based on a higher survival rate, milder signals, and lower levels of the DTMUV virus in the blood and tissues. These results indicated that EDⅢ-RFNp effectively protected ducks against DTMUV challenge and could be a vaccine candidate to prevent DTMUV infection.