Attenuated MuV-S79 as vector stably expressing foreign gene

Background To describe mumps virus (MuV) used as a vector to express enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) or red fluorescent protein (RFP) genes. Methods Molecular cloning technique was applied to establish the cDNA clones of recombinant mumps viruses (rMuVs). rMuVs were recovered based on our reverse genetic system of MuV-S79. The properties of rMuVs were determined by growth curve, plaque assay, fluorescent microscopy and determination of fluorescent intensity. Results Three recombinant viruses replicated well in Vero cells and similarly as parental rMuV-S79, expressed heterologous genes in high levels, and were genetically stable in at least 15 passages. Conclusion rMuV-S79 is a promising platform to accommodate foreign genes like marker genes, other antigens and immunomodulators for addressing various diseases.