Using the TiLV virus genome sequence to develop a recombinant oral vaccine in microalgae. Comment to the article "Complete Genome Sequence of a Tilapia Lake Virus Isolate Obtained from Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)"

Abstract

<jats:p>High mortality and dissemination rates of the emerging virus TiLV (Tilapia lake Virus) leads the researcher to develop a novel strategies to prevent these kind of infections in the fish. In viral diseases, vaccination is the most recommended method for prevention. In this context and considering the genome sequences of TiLV virus published in the article “Complete Genome Sequence of a Tilapia Lake Virus Isolate Obtained from Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)”, we propose to produce a recombinant oral vaccine through microalgae biotechnology using viral vectors.</jats:p>

Tilapia lake virus disease: Vaccine strategies to control the threat to tilapia aquaculture

“…The authors hypothesised that the genetic elements KU751815-KU751819 (Segments 2-6) 15 in TiLV might encode hemagglutinin, membrane protein and neuraminidase proteins based on the virus' similarity to influenza virus and that these could be the most immunogenic regions of TiLV, advocating their inclusion in a recombinant microalgae expression system. 71 72 Since tilapia feed on microalgae, this could represent a practical and non-invasive vaccine delivery method in farmed fish. However, the authors did not report on the efficacy of this vaccine in their publication.…”

“…However, there is a lack of experimental evidence with TiLV antigens using this delivery method and therefore further studies are required to test the hypothesis that the microalgae approach would be an effective one for protecting fish against TiLV. The authors hypothesised that the genetic elements KU751815–KU751819 (Segments 2–6) 15 in TiLV might encode hemagglutinin, membrane protein and neuraminidase proteins based on the virus' similarity to influenza virus and that these could be the most immunogenic regions of TiLV, advocating their inclusion in a recombinant microalgae expression system 71 . A contrasting report from Chengula et al found that TiLV does not agglutinate avian and piscine red blood cells and the virus is still able to replicate in NH 4 Cl‐treated cells, however, suggesting that the virus uses different uptake mechanisms than other orthomyxoviruses 72 Since tilapia feed on microalgae, this could represent a practical and non‐invasive vaccine delivery method in farmed fish.…”

Tilapia Lake Virus Vaccine Development: A Review on the Recent Advances

“…Bañuelos-Hernández et al [ 62 ] have also proposed to produce a recombinant oral vaccine in microalgae using viral vectors. This suggested approach is based on the development of a geminivirus viral vector that will allow the cloning of two or three TiLV genes in a single vector (multigene viral vector) that will then be used for microalgae transformation.…”