A pseudotype vesicular stomatitis virus containing Hantaan virus envelope glycoproteins G1 and G2 as an alternative to hantavirus vaccine in mice

We examined whether a vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) pseudotype bearing the hantavirus envelope glycoproteins (GPs) G1 and G2 (VSVΔG*HTN) could be used as a safe and effective alternative to native hantavirus. Mice were immunized with purified particles of VSVΔG*HTN. After the second immunization, all mice produced anti-GP antibody as detected in ELISA and a neutralization test. After the third immunization, the mice were challenged with Hantaan virus. Neither anti-NP antibody production nor Hantaan virus-specific CD8 T-cell reactions were detected in these mice. The present study demonstrated the potential of using a pseudotype VSV system as a tool for developing a hantavirus vaccine.