title: A virosomal vaccine against candidal vaginitis: immunogenicity, efficacy and safety profile in animal models.
abstract: A novel vaccine (PEV7) consisting of a truncated, recombinant aspartyl proteinase-2 of Candida albicans incorporated into influenza virosomes was studied. This vaccine candidate generated a potent serum antibody response in mouse and rat following intramuscular immunization. Anti-Sap2 IgG and IgA were also detected in the vaginal fluid of rats following intravaginal or intramuscular plus intravaginal administration. In a rat model of candidal vaginitis, PEV7 induced significant, long-lasting, likely antibody-mediated, protection following intravaginal route of immunization. PEV7 was also found to be safe in a repeated-dose toxicological study in rats. Overall, these data provide a sound basis to envisage the clinical development of this new candidate vaccine against candidal vaginitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, ISS, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Flavia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Bernardis
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amacker
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arancia
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sandini
authors.forename: Christel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gremion
authors.forename: Rinaldo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zurbriggen
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moser
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cassone
mesh_terms: D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000818:Animals; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000097:blood; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / Q000276:immunology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000276:immunology; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003429:Cross Reactions; D005260:Female; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D005657:Fungal Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009975:Orthomyxoviridae / Q000276:immunology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018675:Toxicity Tests; D022701:Virosomes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000908:Antibodies, Fungal; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D005657:Fungal Vaccines; D022701:Virosomes; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases; C090753:SAP2 protein, Candida