Bovine respiratory syncytial virus cDNA and recombinant antigen

Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) is a highly infectious virus that causes respiratory illness in cattle. The virus primarily affects the lower respiratory tract of the animals, leading to a variety of symptoms such as coughing, nasal discharge, fever, and loss of appetite. BRSV can be transmitted between cattle through respiratory secretions, and infection can occur at any age. The economic impact of BRSV on the cattle industry can be significant, as it can lead to decreased productivity and increased costs for treatment and management. To combat this disease, several control measures have been developed, including vaccination, good herd management practices, and prompt treatment of infected animals.

The BRSV genome is a single-stranded RNA genome that is about 11-12 kb in size. It encodes for several proteins that play crucial roles in virus replication and pathogenesis, such as the G protein, the N protein, and the P protein. Non-structural proteins, including the L protein and the M protein, are also encoded by the BRSV genome and play a role in virus replication. Knowledge of the genetic information encoded in the BRSV genome is essential for developing effective vaccines and diagnostic tools for BRSV infection.

BRSV antigens are substances that trigger an immune response against the virus in cattle. These antigens can be proteins or other components of the virus that are recognized as foreign by the host’s immune system. BRSV antigens are used in the development of vaccines, which stimulate the immune system to produce specific antibodies against the virus, providing protection against future infections. Additionally, antigens can be used to diagnose BRSV infections through laboratory tests that detect the presence of antibodies against the virus in an animal’s blood.

The virus has several proteins, including the nucleoprotein, matrix protein 2 (M2), major surface glycoprotein G, and matrix protein. The nucleoprotein plays a vital role in the formation and maintenance of the viral nucleocapsid, which contains the viral RNA. Matrix protein 2 is important for the assembly of the viral particles and is also involved in the regulation of viral replication and transcription. The major surface glycoprotein G is responsible for attaching the virus to host cells and is a target of the host immune response to the virus. The matrix protein is involved in the formation and maintenance of the viral structure.

Understanding the different proteins of BRSV and their functions is crucial for studying the virus and developing strategies for preventing or treating infections in cattle. Several vaccines that target some of these proteins have been developed and used to prevent BRSV infections in cattle. However, due to the virus’s ability to mutate rapidly, vaccine development remains an ongoing challenge.

The use of recombinant proteins/cDNA in academic research and therapeutic applications has been increasing rapidly. Successful recombinant protein expression is dependent on several factors, including codon preference, RNA secondary structure, and GC content, in heterologous expression systems. Bioclone has created a proprietary technology platform resulting in over 6,000 artificially synthesized codon-optimized cDNA clones (cloned in E. coli expression Vector), ready for production of recombinant proteins. Compared to pre-optimization, experimental results have demonstrated a dramatic increase in the expression level, ranging from two to hundred times depending on the gene.

BRSV cDNA and recombinant antigens can be used for the diagnosis, control, and treatment of BRSV-related disease.
• Diagnosis: BRSV cDNA and recombinant antigens can be used to detect BRSV infection through nucleic acid testing (NAT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). NAT is a rapid, specific, and sensitive method for detecting BRSV in clinical samples. ELISA is an immunochemical technique used to detect the presence of antibodies against BRSV in serum samples from infected cattle. Both NAT and ELISA can be used to detect BRSV infection in cattle.

• Control: Vaccination is a key tool for controlling BRSV infection in cattle. BRSV cDNA and recombinant antigens can be used to produce a vaccine which is effective in preventing BRSV infection. Vaccination with BRSV cDNA and recombinant antigens can also reduce the severity of BRSV infection and reduce the number of new cases of BRSV infection.