Induction of neutralizing antibodies to Hendra and Nipah glycoproteins using a Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus in vivo expression system.
The emergence of Hendra Virus (HeV) and Nipah Virus (NiV) which can cause fatal infections in both animals and humans has triggered a search for an effective vaccine. Here, we have explored the potential for generating an effective humoral immune response to these zoonotic pathogens using an alphavirus-based vaccine platform. Groups of mice were immunized with Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus replicon particles (VRPs) encoding the attachment or fusion glycoproteins of either HeV or NiV. We demonstrate the induction of highly potent cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies to both viruses using this approach. Preliminary study suggested early enhancement in the antibody response with use of a modified version of VRP. Overall, these data suggest that the use of an alphavirus-derived vaccine platform might serve as a viable approach for the development of an effective vaccine against the henipaviruses.
Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA. gabriel.defang@med.navy.mil
Gabriel N
GN
Defang
Dimple
D
Khetawat
Christopher C
CC
Broder
Gerald V
GV
Quinnan
D000818:Animals; D057134:Antibodies, Neutralizing / Q000097:blood*; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D004666:Encephalitis Virus, Venezuelan Equine / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D045404:Hendra Virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D045464:Henipavirus Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D045405:Nipah Virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
D057134:Antibodies, Neutralizing; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D014764:Viral Proteins