Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccine based on immunization with avian cells expressing the NDV hemagglutinin-neuraminidase glycoprotein

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is a paramyxovirus that bears two envelope glycoproteins at the virion surface. These proteins, fusion and hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN), are involved in the immune response against NDV infection. Recombinant cells constitutively expressing at their surface the HN protein from the velogenic Texas strain were generated by introducing the HN gene with a helper-free AEV-based vector. These recombinant cells were used to immunize chickens by various protocols, and birds were subsequently challenged with a lethal NDV injection. Both NDV protection and serologic response were observed