First EBV vaccine trial in humans using recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the major membrane antigen.
In the absence of a truly representative animal model, the question of whether EBV-related diseases can be prevented by a vaccine has been studied for the first time in humans. A live recombinant virus based on the licensed vaccinia strain Tien Tan, expressing under the 11K vaccinia promoter the major EBV membrane antigen BNLF-1 MA (gp 220-340), was constructed and tested in three different human populations: EBV-positive and vaccinia-virus-exposed adults; EBV-positive, non-vaccinia-virus-exposed juveniles; and EBV and vaccinia virus-naive infants. No significant titre variations for EBV were observed in the adults, but EBV-neutralising titres increased in the vaccinated juveniles, while antibodies to VCA of EBV remained unchanged. All nine vaccinated infants developed antibodies to MA (membrane antigen) with neutralising properties in vitro; three of these infants were infected by EBV via natural routes over a period of 16 months after vaccination and all ten unvaccinated control infants became infected. It has been shown for the first time that protection against and/or delay of EBV infection by the natural route is possible in humans and that live vaccinia vectors can be used and are efficacious.
Gu
S Y
SY
Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine, Beijing.
Huang
T M
TM
Ruan
L
L
Miao
Y H
YH
Lu
H
H
Chu
C M
CM
Motz
M
M
Wolf
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000235:genetics; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015870:Gene Expression; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D010957:Plasmids; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014616:Vaccinia virus / Q000235:genetics*; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014765:Viral Vaccines