title: Novel suspension cell-based vaccine production systems for Rift Valley fever virus-like particles.
abstract: Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is an arthropod-borne pathogen that often results in severe morbidity and mortality in both humans and livestock. As its geographic range continues to expand, it presents a real threat to naïve populations around the world by accidental introduction (e.g., the result of increased travel) or intentional release (e.g., a bioterror event). While there is a clear need for a safe and efficacious vaccine against this emerging and re-emerging pathogen, no FDA-approved vaccine is currently available. This need was addressed by the establishment of novel mammalian and insect suspension cell line systems for the efficient production of RVF virus-like particle (VLP)-based vaccine candidates. A direct comparison of the production of RVF VLPs in these systems was performed. Optimization and characterization resulted in a production platform suitable for scale-up. Furthermore, RVF VLP-based vaccines were tested in a lethal challenge model and showed full protection, demonstrating that RVF VLPs present promising RVFV vaccine candidates.
authors.affiliation: BioProtection Systems Corporation, Ames, IA 50010, USA.
authors.forename: Robert B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Mandell
authors.forename: Ramesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Koukuntla
authors.forename: Laura J K
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Mogler
authors.forename: Andrea K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Carzoli
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Holbrook
authors.forename: Brian K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vahanian
authors.forename: Charles J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Link
authors.forename: Ramon
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Flick
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D002460:Cell Line; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D051381:Rats; D011920:Rats, Inbred WF; D012295:Rift Valley Fever / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012296:Rift Valley fever virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D018411:Spodoptera; D016019:Survival Analysis; D022721:Vaccines, Virosome / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D022721:Vaccines, Virosome; D014765:Viral Vaccines