Fig. 9

Immunization with purified recombinant ECTV CrmD protects mice from fatal mousepox. Groups of BALB/c mice were immunized with PBS (n = 10) (PBS, white circles) or recombinant ECTVCrmD protein (n = 15) (rCrmD, black triangles), and challenged with 1000 PFU of ECTV per animal at 18 days after concluding the immunization procedure. a Neutralization of TNF activity in a TNF-induced cytotoxicity assay by serum from mice immunized with CrmD or PBS. L929 cells were incubated with TNF and CrmD in the presence of 1 µl (white bars) or 2 µl (black bars) of serum from mice immunized with CrmD (CrmD 1–15) or PBS (PBS 1–2). As controls, cell viability was determined in the absence of TNF (no TNF) or in the presence of TNF (TNF) incubated also with CrmD (TNF CrmD) or an antiserum against CrmD (anti CrmD). Mice that succumbed to infection are indicated with a cross. Data are mean +/− SEM of triplicate samples. b–e Mice infected with ECTV were monitored for weight loss (b), signs of illness (c), footpad swelling (d) and mortality (e) at the indicated times of infecion. Data are shown as mean +/−  SEM