Abstract
In this study we aimed to identify proteins in ASFV using serum containing antibodies from animals with live-attenuated vaccinated animals, that could be used as targets for a serological assay to differentiate between vaccinated and infected animals, these identified proteins were attempted to be deleted from a field isolate of highly pathogenic ASFV, to determine if they could be deleted. If they could be deleted, they were attempted to be deleted from the current live-attenuated vaccine, as a serological target, and resulted in a new next-generation live-attenuated vaccine containing a serological target. This same information is also used to identify proteins in ASFV that could be used for subunit vaccination. For example with coronaviruses it is known that the spike protein can be used for subunit vaccination, in ASFV there are over 160 proteins, the proteins for subunit vaccination are unknown, this study aimed at finding these proteins, and by using self-amplifying RNA system, were tested for subunit vaccination, however the subunit vaccination was not successful, as it was determined that the proteins expressed by self-amplifying RNA were not expressed in a similar manner as in the context of the virus, which is likely way the subunit vaccine was not effective. These findings are important to the swine industry as a serological marker in a vaccine is important to determine if an area is vaccinated but free of ASFV. In addition the identification of proteins in ASFV that could be used in future platforms for subunit vaccination, a gold standard for vaccination, and is preferred over live-attenuated vaccines, particularly for high-risk areas that are not currently in regions with ASF outbreaks.
