Fig. 7: Vaccination with ΔM27-MCMV protects adult mice from challenge infections.

a C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice were infected i.p. with MCMV:eGFP. At 3, 7, 14, and 21 dpi, salivary glands were harvested and frozen (n = 3-4 per group). The virus titers were determined from organ homogenates by plaque titration. b BALB/c mice were vaccinated with 2 × 10⁵ PFU of wt-MCMV, ΔM27-MCMV, or UV-inactivated wt-MCMV. At 6 and 21 weeks post vaccination, mice were challenged with 2 × 10⁵ PFU of MCMV:eGFP. At 21 days post-challenge infection, salivary glands were harvested and frozen. The MCMV:eGFP titers were determined from organ homogenates by plaque titration. All titrations were done in quadruplicate. Bars depict the geometric mean, dots show titers of individual mice (n = 4-5 per group). DL detection limit. All vaccinated groups were compared to the corresponding control group by Kruskal–Wallis test corrected for multiple comparisons by controlling the false discovery rate. **p value <0.01. ***p value <0.001. c–e Neutralizing antibody titers and Fcγ receptor-activating capacity were quantified from serum samples collected one week prior to the challenge infection (5 weeks after vaccination). The mean values as well as the values of individual mice are shown. Protection of vaccinated animals are shown in Fig. 7b. c In vitro neutralization assay. d Activation assay for mFcγRIII. e Activation assay for mFcγRIV.