A SARS DNA vaccine induces neutralizing antibody and cellular immune responses in healthy adults in a Phase I clinical trial.
BACKGROUND
The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus is a member of the Coronaviridae (CoV) family that first appeared in the Guangdong Province of China in 2002 and was recognized as an emerging infectious disease in March 2003. Over 8000 cases and 900 deaths occurred during the epidemic. We report the safety and immunogenicity of a SARS DNA vaccine in a Phase I human study.


METHODS
A single-plasmid DNA vaccine encoding the Spike (S) glycoprotein was evaluated in 10 healthy adults. Nine subjects completed the 3 dose vaccination schedule and were evaluated for vaccine safety and immune responses. Immune response was assessed by intracellular cytokine staining (ICS), ELISpot, ELISA, and neutralization assays.


RESULTS
The vaccine was well tolerated. SARS-CoV-specific antibody was detected by ELISA in 8 of 10 subjects and neutralizing antibody was detected in all subjects who received 3 doses of vaccine. SARS-CoV-specific CD4+ T-cell responses were detected in all vaccinees, and CD8+ T-cell responses in approximately 20% of individuals.


CONCLUSIONS
The VRC SARS DNA vaccine was well tolerated and produced cellular immune responses and neutralizing antibody in healthy adults.
Martin
Julie E
JE
Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 40 Convent Drive, MSC-2610, Bethesda, MD 20892-3017, USA.
Louder
Mark K
MK
Holman
LaSonji A
LA
Gordon
Ingelise J
IJ
Enama
Mary E
ME
Larkin
Brenda D
BD
Andrews
Charla A
CA
Vogel
Leatrice
L
Koup
Richard A
RA
Roederer
Mario
M
Bailer
Robert T
RT
Gomez
Phillip L
PL
Nason
Martha
M
Mascola
John R
JR
Nabel
Gary J
GJ
Graham
Barney S
BS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D045473:Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D064370:Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D055815:Young Adult
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D064370:Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus; D019444:Vaccines, DNA; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; D014765:Viral Vaccines