Antistoffrespons av DNA-vaksine mot IPNV
There is a need for more effective virus vaccines for farmed Atlantic salmon. Our research group studies the use of interferon (IFN) as adjuvant in vaccines against protein antigens in an effort to develop better vaccines against salmon viruses. In the present project we want to study the role of IFN as adjuvant in DNA vaccines against IPN-virus (IPNV). Presmolts will be injected i.m. with plasmids expressing the VP2 protein of IPNV with or without IFN gene. In one experiment serum will harvested after 10 weeks for measurement of antibody against IPNV. In another experiment muscle from the injection site will be harvested for qPCR measurement of Mx as a marker for IFN activity. The fish will only experience minor pain/discomfort as a result of the vaccination or to sampling since the fish will be anesthetized with benzocaine before these procedures. It is not expected that the fish will be harmed by the immune response to the vaccines. A number of 162 salmon will be used.