Self-replicative RNA vaccines elicit protection against influenza A virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and a tickborne encephalitis virus.
In genetic vaccination, recipients are immunized with antigen-encoding nucleic acid, usually DNA. This study addressed the possibility of using the recombinant alpha virus RNA molecule, which replicates in the cytoplasm of transfected cells, as a novel approach for genetic vaccination. Mice were immunized with recombinant Semliki Forest virus RNA-encoding envelope proteins from one of 3 viruses: influenza A virus, a tickborne flavivirus (louping ill virus), or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Serologic analyses showed that antigen-specific antibody responses were elicited. IgG isotyping indicated that predominantly Th1 type immune responses were induced after immunization with RSV F protein-encoding RNA, which is relevant for protection against RSV infection. Challenge infection showed that RNA immunization had elicited significant levels of protection against the 3 model virus diseases.
Fleeton
M N
MN
Microbiology and Tumorbiology Center, Karolinska Institutet, S-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
Chen
M
M
Berglund
P
P
Rhodes
G
G
Parker
S E
SE
Murphy
M
M
Atkins
G J
GJ
Liljeström
P
P
D000818:Animals; D004669:Encephalitis Viruses, Tick-Borne / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D004675:Encephalitis, Tick-Borne / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D022261:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D012136:Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D012672:Semliki forest virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D018417:Th1 Cells; D014162:Transfection; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D012367:RNA, Viral; D022261:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014765:Viral Vaccines