| The D-variant of encephalomyocarditis (EMC-D) virus has been known to induce diabetes in some susceptible murine models by directly infecting and destroying pancreatic beta cells. The major capsid protein, VP1, of the virus is suggested to be the most likely site of attachment to a receptor for cell infection.;In this study, the VP1 gene of the EMC-D virus was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli using recombinant DNA techniques, and the recombinant VP1 protein was used as an antigen for inducing antibodies in mice. Mice immunized with the VP1 protein demonstrated the complete prevention of diabetes after EMC-D virus challenge, whereas 90% of mice in the control group could not prevent diabetes.;This result suggests that antibodies raised against the recombinant VP1 protein have the ability to neutralize EMC-D virus infection possibly by aggregation or by masking receptor attachment sites of the virus. |
