Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) causes severe respiratory disease in humans, with a case fatality rate of approximately 35%, thus posing a considerable threat to public health. A lack of approved vaccines or antivirals currently constitutes a barrier for controlling disease outbreaks and spread. In this study, we generated a replication-defective recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus expressing the MERS-CoV spike (S) protein (VSV/MERS). Uncleaved and cleaved S proteins were detected in VSV/MERS by western blotting. And VSV/MERS specifically transduced cells expressing human dipeptidyl peptidase 4, a receptor for MERS-CoV. To investigate the immunogenicity of VSV/MERS, mice were immunized intramuscularly with VSV/MERS and alum adjuvant. MERS-CoV S-specific IgG was detected in serum samples from immunized mice. These antibodies inhibited MERS entry in vitro, suggesting a protective efficacy of VSV/MERS immunity. The data demonstrate that VSV/MERS has potent immunogenicity and could serve as a novel potential vaccine platform for MERS in dromedary camels and human.

Abstract
INTRODUCTION
MATERIALS AND METHODS
    Cells and plasmids
    VSV pseudotyped virus preparation and transduction
    Mouse immunization and sample collection
    Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
    Virus neutralization assays
    Western blotting
    Statistical analyses
RESULTS
    Generation and characterization of VSV/MERS
    Immunogenicity of VSV/MERS in mice
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES

• Jung-Eun Park(Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University/Research Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University) Corresponding Author