Immunogenicity of poxvirus-based vaccines against Nipah virus

Nipah virus (NiV) is a causative agent with broad host ranges including livestock and humans. The Pteropus species of fruit bats as reservoir of NiV show no symptoms, while human infection has severe outcome and high mortality. Thus, new vaccination covering wide range of species with easy administration is of utmost importance. Poxvirus, such as humans-modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) for humans, recombinant raccoon poxvirus (RCN) for animals have been previously shown potential vectors for infection through mucosal and dermal administration. In this study, two vaccine candidates, namely MVA-FG and RCN-FG, were constructed by combining fusion (F) and glycoprotein (G) of NiV with MVA or RCN, following to characterization in vitro, and in vivo administration to mice subcutaneously (SC) an intranasally (IN). Along with post-immunization monitoring, level of immunity was evaluated in mice serum. Conclusively, neither of the immunized mice showed any weight loss or clinical signs. Immunized mice serum was detected with significant levels of anti-F and G circulating antibodies through SC or IN. Also, immunized mice exhibited cytokine expression and different phenotype of CD8a+ T cell in splenocytes and lung cells. Based on these data, authors suggested MVA-FG and RCN-FG as potential vaccine candidates against NiV.

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