1
|
Scher G, Yankowski C, Kurup D, Josleyn NM, Wilkinson ER, Wells J, Steffens J, Lynn G, Vantongeren S, Zeng X, Twenhafel N, Cashman KA, Schnell MJ. Inactivated rabies-based Lassa fever virus vaccine candidate LASSARAB protects nonhuman primates from lethal disease. NPJ Vaccines 2024; 9:143. [PMID: 39122759 PMCID: PMC11315998 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-024-00930-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Lassa fever virus (LASV), a member of the Arenavirus family, is the etiological agent of Lassa fever, a severe hemorrhagic disease that causes considerable morbidity and mortality in the endemic areas of West Africa. LASV is a rodent-borne CDC Tier One biological threat agent and is on the World Health Organization's (WHO) Priority Pathogen list. Currently, no FDA-licensed vaccines or specific therapeutics are available. Here, we describe the efficacy of a deactivated rabies virus (RABV)-based vaccine encoding the glycoprotein precursor (GPC) of LASV (LASSARAB). Nonhuman primates (NHPs) were administered a two-dose regimen of LASSARAB or an irrelevant RABV-based vaccine to serve as a negative control. NHPs immunized with LASSARAB developed strong humoral responses to LASV-GPC. Upon challenge, NHPs vaccinated with LASSARAB survived to the study endpoint, whereas NHPs in the control group did not. This study demonstrates that LASSARAB is a worthy candidate for continued development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Scher
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Catherine Yankowski
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Drishya Kurup
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Jefferson Center for Vaccines and Pandemic Preparedness, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nicole M Josleyn
- Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Eric R Wilkinson
- Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Jay Wells
- Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Jesse Steffens
- Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Ginger Lynn
- Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Sean Vantongeren
- Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Xiankun Zeng
- Pathology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Nancy Twenhafel
- Pathology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Kathleen A Cashman
- Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, MD, 21702, USA.
| | - Matthias J Schnell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Jefferson Center for Vaccines and Pandemic Preparedness, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Reyna RA, Littlefield KE, Shehu N, Makishima T, Maruyama J, Paessler S. The Importance of Lassa Fever and Its Disease Management in West Africa. Viruses 2024; 16:266. [PMID: 38400041 PMCID: PMC10892767 DOI: 10.3390/v16020266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV) is a zoonotic pathogen endemic throughout western Africa and is responsible for a human disease known as Lassa fever (LF). Historically, LASV has been emphasized as one of the greatest public health threats in West Africa, with up to 300,000 cases and 5000 associated deaths per year. This, and the fact that the disease has been reported in travelers, has driven a rapid production of various vaccine candidates. Several of these vaccines are currently in clinical development, despite limitations in understanding the immune response to infection. Alarmingly, the host immune response has been implicated in the induction of sensorineural hearing loss in LF survivors, legitimately raising safety questions about any future vaccines as well as efficacy in preventing potential hearing loss. The objective of this article is to revisit the importance and prevalence of LF in West Africa, with focus on Nigeria, and discuss current therapeutic approaches and ongoing vaccine development. In addition, we aim to emphasize the need for more scientific studies relating to LF-associated hearing loss, and to promote critical discussion about potential risks and benefits of vaccinating the population in endemic regions of West Africa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A. Reyna
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Kirsten E. Littlefield
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Nathan Shehu
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Infectious Disease Unit, Department of Medicine, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos P.M.B. 2076, Nigeria
| | - Tomoko Makishima
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Junki Maruyama
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Slobodan Paessler
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ly H. Progress toward the development of Lassa vaccines. Expert Rev Vaccines 2024; 23:5-7. [PMID: 38044877 PMCID: PMC10757453 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2023.2290683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hinh Ly
- Department of Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ronk AJ, Lloyd NM, Zhang M, Atyeo C, Perrett HR, Mire CE, Hastie KM, Sanders RW, Brouwer PJM, Saphire EO, Ward AB, Ksiazek TG, Alvarez Moreno JC, Thaker HM, Alter G, Himansu S, Carfi A, Bukreyev A. A Lassa virus mRNA vaccine confers protection but does not require neutralizing antibody in a guinea pig model of infection. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5603. [PMID: 37699929 PMCID: PMC10497546 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41376-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Lassa virus is a member of the Arenaviridae family, which causes human infections ranging from asymptomatic to severe hemorrhagic disease with a high case fatality rate. We have designed and generated lipid nanoparticle encapsulated, modified mRNA vaccines that encode for the wild-type Lassa virus strain Josiah glycoprotein complex or the prefusion stabilized conformation of the Lassa virus glycoprotein complex. Hartley guinea pigs were vaccinated with two 10 µg doses, 28 days apart, of either construct. Vaccination induced strong binding antibody responses, specific to the prefusion conformation of glycoprotein complex, which were significantly higher in the prefusion stabilized glycoprotein complex construct group and displayed strong Fc-mediated effects. However, Lassa virus-neutralizing antibody activity was detected in some but not all animals. Following the challenge with a lethal dose of the Lassa virus, all vaccinated animals were protected from death and severe disease. Although the definitive mechanism of protection is still unknown, and assessment of the cell-mediated immune response was not investigated in this study, these data demonstrate the promise of mRNA as a vaccine platform against the Lassa virus and that protection against Lassa virus can be achieved in the absence of virus-neutralizing antibodies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Ronk
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, US
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, US
| | - Nicole M Lloyd
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, US
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, US
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, US
| | - Caroline Atyeo
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Cambridge, MA, 02139, US
| | - Hailee R Perrett
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology California Campus, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, 92037, US
| | - Chad E Mire
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, US
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, US
| | - Kathryn M Hastie
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, 92037, US
| | - Rogier W Sanders
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Philip J M Brouwer
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Erica Olmann Saphire
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, 92037, US
| | - Andrew B Ward
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology California Campus, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, 92037, US
| | - Thomas G Ksiazek
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, US
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, US
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, US
| | | | - Harshwardhan M Thaker
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, US
| | - Galit Alter
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Cambridge, MA, 02139, US
| | | | | | - Alexander Bukreyev
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, US.
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, US.
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, US.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tschismarov R, Van Damme P, Germain C, De Coster I, Mateo M, Reynard S, Journeaux A, Tomberger Y, Withanage K, Haslwanter D, Terler K, Schrauf S, Müllner M, Tauber E, Ramsauer K, Baize S. Immunogenicity, safety, and tolerability of a recombinant measles-vectored Lassa fever vaccine: a randomised, placebo-controlled, first-in-human trial. Lancet 2023; 401:1267-1276. [PMID: 36934733 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(23)00048-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lassa fever is a substantial health burden in west Africa. We evaluated the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of a recombinant, live-attenuated, measles-vectored Lassa fever vaccine candidate (MV-LASV). METHODS This first-in-human phase 1 trial-consisting of an open-label dose-escalation stage and an observer-blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled treatment stage-was conducted at a single site at the University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium, and involved healthy adults aged 18-55 years. Participants in the dose-escalation stage were sequentially assigned to a low-dose group (two intramuscular doses of MV-LASV at 2 × 104 times the median tissue culture infectious dose) or a high-dose group (two doses at 1 × 105 times the median tissue culture infectious dose). Participants in the double-blinded treatment stage were randomly assigned in a 2:2:1 ratio to receive low dose, high dose, or placebo. The primary endpoint was the rate of solicited and unsolicited adverse events up to study day 56 and was assessed in all participants who received at least one dose of investigational product. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04055454, and the European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials Database, 2018-003647-40, and is complete. FINDINGS Between Sept 26, 2019, and Jan 20, 2020, 60 participants were enrolled and assigned to receive placebo (n=12) or MV-LASV (n=48). All 60 participants received at least one study treatment. Most adverse events occurred during the treatment phase, and frequencies of total solicited or unsolicited adverse events were similar between treatment groups, with 96% of participants in the low-dose group, 100% of those in the high-dose group, and 92% of those in the placebo group having any solicited adverse event (p=0·6751) and 76% of those in the low-dose group, 70% of those in the high-dose group, and 100% of those in the placebo group having any unsolicited adverse event (p=0·1047). The only significant difference related to local solicited adverse events, with higher frequencies observed in groups receiving MV-LASV (24 [96%] of 25 participants in the low-dose group; all 23 [100%] participants in the high-dose group) than in the placebo group (6 [50%] of 12 participants; p=0·0001, Fisher-Freeman-Halton test). Adverse events were mostly of mild or moderate severity, and no serious adverse events were observed. MV-LASV also induced substantial concentrations of LASV-specific IgG (geometric mean titre 62·9 EU/ml in the low-dose group and 145·9 EU/ml in the high-dose group on day 42). INTERPRETATION MV-LASV showed an acceptable safety and tolerability profile, and immunogenicity seemed to be unaffected by pre-existing immunity against the vector. MV-LASV is therefore a promising candidate for further development. FUNDING Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roland Tschismarov
- Themis Bioscience, Vienna, Austria, a subsidiary of Merck & Co, Rahway, NJ, USA.
| | - Pierre Van Damme
- Center for the Evaluation of Vaccination, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Clara Germain
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, Lyon, France; Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Université de Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Ilse De Coster
- Center for the Evaluation of Vaccination, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Mathieu Mateo
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, Lyon, France; Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Université de Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Stephanie Reynard
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, Lyon, France; Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Université de Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Alexandra Journeaux
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, Lyon, France
| | - Yvonne Tomberger
- Themis Bioscience, Vienna, Austria, a subsidiary of Merck & Co, Rahway, NJ, USA
| | - Kanchanamala Withanage
- Center for the Evaluation of Vaccination, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Denise Haslwanter
- Themis Bioscience, Vienna, Austria, a subsidiary of Merck & Co, Rahway, NJ, USA
| | - Katherine Terler
- Themis Bioscience, Vienna, Austria, a subsidiary of Merck & Co, Rahway, NJ, USA
| | - Sabrina Schrauf
- Themis Bioscience, Vienna, Austria, a subsidiary of Merck & Co, Rahway, NJ, USA
| | - Matthias Müllner
- Themis Bioscience, Vienna, Austria, a subsidiary of Merck & Co, Rahway, NJ, USA
| | - Erich Tauber
- Themis Bioscience, Vienna, Austria, a subsidiary of Merck & Co, Rahway, NJ, USA
| | - Katrin Ramsauer
- Themis Bioscience, Vienna, Austria, a subsidiary of Merck & Co, Rahway, NJ, USA
| | - Sylvain Baize
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, Lyon, France; Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Université de Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, Lyon, France
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Saito T, Reyna RA, Taniguchi S, Littlefield K, Paessler S, Maruyama J. Vaccine Candidates against Arenavirus Infections. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:635. [PMID: 36992218 PMCID: PMC10057967 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11030635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The viral family Arenaviridae contains several members that cause severe, and often lethal, diseases in humans. Several highly pathogenic arenaviruses are classified as Risk Group 4 agents and must be handled in the highest biological containment facility, biosafety level-4 (BSL-4). Vaccines and treatments are very limited for these pathogens. The development of vaccines is crucial for the establishment of countermeasures against highly pathogenic arenavirus infections. While several vaccine candidates have been investigated, there are currently no approved vaccines for arenavirus infection except for Candid#1, a live-attenuated Junin virus vaccine only licensed in Argentina. Current platforms under investigation for use include live-attenuated vaccines, recombinant virus-based vaccines, and recombinant proteins. We summarize here the recent updates of vaccine candidates against arenavirus infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Saito
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Rachel A. Reyna
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Satoshi Taniguchi
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Kirsten Littlefield
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Slobodan Paessler
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Junki Maruyama
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Mateo M, Reynard S, Pietrosemoli N, Perthame E, Journeaux A, Noy K, Germain C, Carnec X, Picard C, Borges-Cardoso V, Hortion J, Lopez-Maestre H, Regnard P, Fellmann L, Vallve A, Barron S, Jourjon O, Lacroix O, Duthey A, Dirheimer M, Daniau M, Legras-Lachuer C, Carbonnelle C, Raoul H, Tangy F, Baize S. Rapid protection induced by a single-shot Lassa vaccine in male cynomolgus monkeys. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1352. [PMID: 36906645 PMCID: PMC10008018 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37050-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Lassa fever hits West African countries annually in the absence of licensed vaccine to limit the burden of this viral hemorrhagic fever. We previously developed MeV-NP, a single-shot vaccine protecting cynomolgus monkeys against divergent strains one month or more than a year before Lassa virus infection. Given the limited dissemination area during outbreaks and the risk of nosocomial transmission, a vaccine inducing rapid protection could be useful to protect exposed people during outbreaks in the absence of preventive vaccination. Here, we test whether the time to protection can be reduced after immunization by challenging measles virus pre-immune male cynomolgus monkeys sixteen or eight days after a single shot of MeV-NP. None of the immunized monkeys develop disease and they rapidly control viral replication. Animals immunized eight days before the challenge are the best controllers, producing a strong CD8 T-cell response against the viral glycoprotein. A group of animals was also vaccinated one hour after the challenge, but was not protected and succumbed to the disease as the control animals. This study demonstrates that MeV-NP can induce a rapid protective immune response against Lassa fever in the presence of MeV pre-existing immunity but can likely not be used as therapeutic vaccine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Mateo
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, 69007, Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Stéphanie Reynard
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, 69007, Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Natalia Pietrosemoli
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Hub, Paris, France
| | - Emeline Perthame
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Hub, Paris, France
| | - Alexandra Journeaux
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, 69007, Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Kodie Noy
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, 69007, Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Clara Germain
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, 69007, Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Xavier Carnec
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, 69007, Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Caroline Picard
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, 69007, Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Virginie Borges-Cardoso
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, 69007, Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Jimmy Hortion
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, 69007, Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Hélène Lopez-Maestre
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Hub, Paris, France
| | - Pierrick Regnard
- SILABE, Université de Strasbourg, fort Foch, Niederhausbergen, France
| | - Lyne Fellmann
- SILABE, Université de Strasbourg, fort Foch, Niederhausbergen, France
| | - Audrey Vallve
- Laboratoire P4 INSERM - Jean Mérieux, INSERM US003, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Stéphane Barron
- Laboratoire P4 INSERM - Jean Mérieux, INSERM US003, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Ophélie Jourjon
- Laboratoire P4 INSERM - Jean Mérieux, INSERM US003, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Orianne Lacroix
- Laboratoire P4 INSERM - Jean Mérieux, INSERM US003, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Aurélie Duthey
- Laboratoire P4 INSERM - Jean Mérieux, INSERM US003, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Manon Dirheimer
- INSERM, Délégation Régionale Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, 69500, Bron, France
| | | | | | | | - Hervé Raoul
- Laboratoire P4 INSERM - Jean Mérieux, INSERM US003, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Frédéric Tangy
- Vaccine Innovation Laboratory, Institut Pasteur, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Sylvain Baize
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, 69007, Lyon, France. .,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, 69007, Lyon, France.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Aloke C, Obasi NA, Aja PM, Emelike CU, Egwu CO, Jeje O, Edeogu CO, Onisuru OO, Orji OU, Achilonu I. Combating Lassa Fever in West African Sub-Region: Progress, Challenges, and Future Perspectives. Viruses 2023; 15:146. [PMID: 36680186 PMCID: PMC9864412 DOI: 10.3390/v15010146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Lassa fever (LF) is a rodent-borne disease that threatens human health in the sub-region of West Africa where the zoonotic host of Lassa virus (LASV) is predominant. Currently, treatment options for LF are limited and since no preventive vaccine is approved for its infectivity, there is a high mortality rate in endemic areas. This narrative review explores the transmission, pathogenicity of LASV, advances, and challenges of different treatment options. Our findings indicate that genetic diversity among the different strains of LASV and their ability to circumvent the immune system poses a critical challenge to the development of LASV vaccines/therapeutics. Thus, understanding the biochemistry, physiology and genetic polymorphism of LASV, mechanism of evading host immunity are essential for development of effective LASV vaccines/therapeutics to combat this lethal viral disease. The LASV nucleoprotein (NP) is a novel target for therapeutics as it functions significantly in several aspects of the viral life cycle. Consequently, LASV NP inhibitors could be employed as effective therapeutics as they will potentially inhibit LASV replication. Effective preventive control measures, vaccine development, target validation, and repurposing of existing drugs, such as ribavirin, using activity or in silico-based and computational bioinformatics, would aid in the development of novel drugs for LF management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chinyere Aloke
- Protein Structure-Function and Research Unit, School of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Braamfontein, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki PMB 1010, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
| | - Nwogo Ajuka Obasi
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki PMB 1010, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
| | - Patrick Maduabuchi Aja
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki PMB 053, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Mbarara P.O. Box 1410, Uganda
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Kampala International University, Bushenyi, Ishaka P.O. Box 71, Uganda
| | - Chinedum Uche Emelike
- Department of Physiology, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki PMB 1010, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
| | - Chinedu Ogbonnia Egwu
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki PMB 1010, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
| | - Olamide Jeje
- Protein Structure-Function and Research Unit, School of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Braamfontein, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
| | - Chuks Oswald Edeogu
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki PMB 053, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
| | - Olalekan Olugbenga Onisuru
- Protein Structure-Function and Research Unit, School of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Braamfontein, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
| | - Obasi Uche Orji
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki PMB 053, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
| | - Ikechukwu Achilonu
- Protein Structure-Function and Research Unit, School of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Braamfontein, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Mammarenavirus Genetic Diversity and Its Biological Implications. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2023; 439:265-303. [PMID: 36592249 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-15640-3_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Members of the family Arenaviridae are classified into four genera: Antennavirus, Hartmanivirus, Mammarenavirus, and Reptarenavirus. Reptarenaviruses and hartmaniviruses infect (captive) snakes and have been shown to cause boid inclusion body disease (BIBD). Antennaviruses have genomes consisting of 3, rather than 2, segments, and were discovered in actinopterygian fish by next-generation sequencing but no biological isolate has been reported yet. The hosts of mammarenaviruses are mainly rodents and infections are generally asymptomatic. Current knowledge about the biology of reptarenaviruses, hartmaniviruses, and antennaviruses is very limited and their zoonotic potential is unknown. In contrast, some mammarenaviruses are associated with zoonotic events that pose a threat to human health. This review will focus on mammarenavirus genetic diversity and its biological implications. Some mammarenaviruses including lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) are excellent experimental model systems for the investigation of acute and persistent viral infections, whereas others including Lassa (LASV) and Junin (JUNV) viruses, the causative agents of Lassa fever (LF) and Argentine hemorrhagic fever (AHF), respectively, are important human pathogens. Mammarenaviruses were thought to have high degree of intra-and inter-species amino acid sequence identities, but recent evidence has revealed a high degree of mammarenavirus genetic diversity in the field. Moreover, closely related mammarenavirus can display dramatic phenotypic differences in vivo. These findings support a role of genetic variability in mammarenavirus adaptability and pathogenesis. Here, we will review the molecular biology of mammarenaviruses, phylogeny, and evolution, as well as the quasispecies dynamics of mammarenavirus populations and their biological implications.
Collapse
|
10
|
Spengler JR, Kainulainen MH, Welch SR, Coleman-McCray JD, Harmon JR, Condrey JA, Scholte FEM, Nichol ST, Montgomery JM, Albariño CG, Spiropoulou CF. Lassa Virus Replicon Particle Vaccine Protects Strain 13/N Guinea Pigs Against Challenge With Geographically and Genetically Diverse Viral Strains. J Infect Dis 2022; 226:1545-1550. [PMID: 35099012 PMCID: PMC11268724 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiac028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 07/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV) causes mild to severe hemorrhagic fever disease in humans. Strain 13/N guinea pigs are highly susceptible to infection with LASV strain Josiah (clade IV), providing a critical model system for therapeutics and vaccine development. To develop additional models of disease, we detail the clinical course in guinea pigs infected with 5 geographically and genetically diverse LASV strains. Two of the developed models (LASV clades II and III) were then used to evaluate efficacy of a virus replicon particle vaccine against heterologous LASV challenge, demonstrating complete protection against clinical disease after a single vaccination dose.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica R Spengler
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Markus H Kainulainen
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Stephen R Welch
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - JoAnn D Coleman-McCray
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jessica R Harmon
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jillian A Condrey
- Comparative Medicine Branch, Division of Scientific Resources, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Florine E M Scholte
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Stuart T Nichol
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Joel M Montgomery
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - César G Albariño
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Christina F Spiropoulou
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
Lassa Fever (LF) is a viral hemorrhagic fever endemic in West Africa. LF begins with flu-like symptoms that are difficult to distinguish from other common endemic diseases such as malaria, dengue, and yellow fever making it hard to diagnose clinically. Availability of a rapid diagnostic test and other serological and molecular assays facilitates accurate diagnosis of LF. Lassa virus therapeutics are currently in different stages of preclinical development. Arevirumab, a cocktail of monoclonal antibodies, demonstrates a great safety and efficacy profile in non-human primates. Major efforts have been made in the development of a Lassa virus vaccine. Two vaccine candidates, MeV-NP and pLASV-GPC are undergoing evaluation in phase I clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lilia I Melnik
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA, 70118, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Murphy H, Ly H. Understanding Immune Responses to Lassa Virus Infection and to Its Candidate Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:1668. [PMID: 36298533 PMCID: PMC9612042 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10101668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Lassa fever (LF) is a deadly viral hemorrhagic fever disease that is endemic in several countries in West Africa. It is caused by Lassa virus (LASV), which has been estimated to be responsible for approximately 300,000 infections and 5000 deaths annually. LASV is a highly pathogenic human pathogen without effective therapeutics or FDA-approved vaccines. Here, we aim to provide a literature review of the current understanding of the basic mechanism of immune responses to LASV infection in animal models and patients, as well as to several of its candidate vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hinh Ly
- Comparative & Molecular Biosciences Graduate Program, Department of Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, St Paul, MN 55108, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Reyna RA, Maruyama J, Mantlo EK, Manning JT, Taniguchi S, Makishima T, Lukashevich IS, Paessler S. Depletion of CD4 and CD8 T Cells Reduces Acute Disease and Is Not Associated with Hearing Loss in ML29-Infected STAT1-/- Mice. Biomedicines 2022; 10:2433. [PMID: 36289695 PMCID: PMC9598517 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV) is a zoonotic virus endemic to western Africa that can cause a potentially lethal and hemorrhagic disease, Lassa fever (LF). Survivors suffer a myriad of sequelae, most notably sudden onset sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), the mechanism of which remains unclear. Unfortunately, studies aiming to identify the mechanism of these sequelae are limited due to the biosafety level 4 (BSL4) requirements of LASV itself. ML29, a reassortant virus proposed as an experimental vaccine candidate against LASV, is potentially an ideal surrogate model of LF in STAT1-/- mice due to similar phenotype in these animals. We intended to better characterize ML29 pathogenesis and potential sequelae in this animal model. Our results indicate that while both CD4 and CD8 T cells are responsible for acute disease in ML29 infection, ML29 induces significant hearing loss in a mechanism independent of either CD4 or CD8 T cells. We believe that this model could provide valuable information for viral-associated hearing loss in general.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A. Reyna
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Junki Maruyama
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Emily K. Mantlo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - John T. Manning
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Satoshi Taniguchi
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Tomoko Makishima
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Igor S. Lukashevich
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Slobodan Paessler
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
To A, Lai CY, Wong TAS, Namekar M, Lieberman MM, Lehrer AT. Adjuvants Differentially Modulate the Immunogenicity of Lassa Virus Glycoprotein Subunits in Mice. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2022; 3. [PMID: 37034031 PMCID: PMC10081732 DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2022.847598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Lassa Fever (LF) is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever caused by Lassa virus (LASV) that is primarily transmitted through contact with wild rodents in West Africa. Although several advanced vaccine candidates are progressing through clinical trials, some effective vaccines are virally vectored and thus require a stringent cold-chain, making distribution to rural and resource-poor areas difficult. Recombinant subunit vaccines are advantageous in this aspect as they can be thermostabilized and deployed with minimal storage and transportation requirements. However, antigen dose and adjuvant formulation must be carefully selected to ensure both the appropriate humoral and cell-mediated immune responses are elicited. In this study, we examine the immunogenicity of a two-step immunoaffinity-purified recombinant LASV glycoprotein (GP) with five clinical- and preclinical-grade adjuvants. Swiss Webster mice immunized intramuscularly with 2 or 3 doses of each vaccine formulation showed complete seroconversion and maximal GP-specific antibody response after two immunizations. Formulations with GPI-0100, LiteVax, Montanide™ ISA 51, and Montanide™ ISA 720 induced both IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies suggesting a balanced Th1/Th2 response, whereas formulation of LASV GP with Alhydrogel elicited a IgG1-dominant response. Splenocytes secreting both Th1 and Th2 cytokines i.e., IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-5, were observed from mice receiving both antigen doses formulated with ISA 720, LiteVax and GPI-0100. However, robust, multifunctional T-cells were only detected in mice receiving a higher dose of LASV GP formulated with GPI-0100. Our results emphasize the importance of careful adjuvant selection and lay the immunological basis for a recombinant subunit protein LF vaccine formulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Albert To
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, The University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Chih-Yun Lai
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, The University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
- Pacific Center for Emerging Infectious Disease Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, The University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Teri Ann S. Wong
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, The University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Madhuri Namekar
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, The University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
- Pacific Center for Emerging Infectious Disease Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, The University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Michael M. Lieberman
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, The University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Axel T. Lehrer
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, The University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
- Pacific Center for Emerging Infectious Disease Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, The University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
- Correspondence: Axel T. Lehrer,
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Murphy HL, Ly H. Pathogenicity and virulence mechanisms of Lassa virus and its animal modeling, diagnostic, prophylactic, and therapeutic developments. Virulence 2021; 12:2989-3014. [PMID: 34747339 PMCID: PMC8923068 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2021.2000290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Lassa fever (LF) is a deadly viral hemorrhagic disease that is endemic to West Africa. The causative agent of LF is Lassa virus (LASV), which causes approximately 300,000 infections and 5,000 deaths annually. There are currently no approved therapeutics or FDA-approved vaccines against LASV. The high genetic variability between LASV strains and immune evasion mediated by the virus complicate the development of effective therapeutics and vaccines. Here, we aim to provide a comprehensive review of the basic biology of LASV and its mechanisms of disease pathogenesis and virulence in various animal models, as well as an update on prospective vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics for LF. Until effective vaccines and/or therapeutics are available for use to prevent or treat LF, a better level of understanding of the basic biology of LASV, its natural genetic variations and immune evasion mechanisms as potential pathogenicity factors, and of the rodent reservoir-vector populations and their geographical distributions, is necessary for the development of accurate diagnostics and effective therapeutics and vaccines against this deadly human viral pathogen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah L Murphy
- Department of Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences, Comparative & Molecular Biosciences Graduate Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
| | - Hinh Ly
- Department of Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences, Comparative & Molecular Biosciences Graduate Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Mateo M, Reynard S, Journeaux A, Germain C, Hortion J, Carnec X, Picard C, Baillet N, Borges-Cardoso V, Merabet O, Vallve A, Barron S, Jourjon O, Lacroix O, Duthey A, Dirheimer M, Jouvion G, Moreau PH, Fellmann L, Carbonnelle C, Raoul H, Tangy F, Baize S. A single-shot Lassa vaccine induces long-term immunity and protects cynomolgus monkeys against heterologous strains. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:13/597/eabf6348. [PMID: 34108251 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abf6348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A safe and protective Lassa virus vaccine is crucially needed in Western Africa to stem the recurrent outbreaks of Lassa virus infections in Nigeria and the emergence of Lassa virus in previously unaffected countries, such as Benin and Togo. Major challenges in developing a Lassa virus vaccine include the high diversity of circulating strains and their reemergence from 1 year to another. To address each of these challenges, we immunized cynomolgus monkeys with a measles virus vector expressing the Lassa virus glycoprotein and nucleoprotein of the prototypic Lassa virus strain Josiah (MeV-NP). To evaluate vaccine efficacy against heterologous strains of Lassa virus, we challenged the monkeys a month later with heterologous strains from lineage II or lineage VII, finding that the vaccine was protective against these strains. A second cohort of monkeys was challenged 1 year later with the homologous Josiah strain, finding that a single dose of MeV-NP was sufficient to protect all vaccinated monkeys. These studies demonstrate that MeV-NP can generate both long-lasting immune responses and responses that are able to protect against diverse strains of Lassa virus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Mateo
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, 69007 Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Stéphanie Reynard
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, 69007 Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Alexandra Journeaux
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, 69007 Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Clara Germain
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, 69007 Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Jimmy Hortion
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, 69007 Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Xavier Carnec
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, 69007 Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Caroline Picard
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, 69007 Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Nicolas Baillet
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, 69007 Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Virginie Borges-Cardoso
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, 69007 Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Othmann Merabet
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, 69007 Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Audrey Vallve
- Laboratoire P4 INSERM-Jean Mérieux, INSERM US003, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Stéphane Barron
- Laboratoire P4 INSERM-Jean Mérieux, INSERM US003, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Ophélie Jourjon
- Laboratoire P4 INSERM-Jean Mérieux, INSERM US003, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Orianne Lacroix
- Laboratoire P4 INSERM-Jean Mérieux, INSERM US003, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Aurélie Duthey
- Laboratoire P4 INSERM-Jean Mérieux, INSERM US003, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Manon Dirheimer
- INSERM, Délégation Régionale Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, 69500 Bron, France
| | - Gregory Jouvion
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Unité d'Histologie et d'Anatomie Pathologique, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France.,Dynamic Research Group, Université Paris Est Créteil, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, USC ANSES, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | | | - Lyne Fellmann
- SILABE, Université de Strasbourg, Fort Foch, 67207 Niederhausbergen, France
| | | | - Hervé Raoul
- Laboratoire P4 INSERM-Jean Mérieux, INSERM US003, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Frédéric Tangy
- Viral Genomics and Vaccination, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR-3569, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Sylvain Baize
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, 69007 Lyon, France. .,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, 69007 Lyon, France
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Azim KF, Lasker T, Akter R, Hia MM, Bhuiyan OF, Hasan M, Hossain MN. Combination of highly antigenic nucleoproteins to inaugurate a cross-reactive next generation vaccine candidate against Arenaviridae family. Heliyon 2021; 7:e07022. [PMID: 34041391 PMCID: PMC8144012 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Arenaviral infections often result lethal hemorrhagic fevers, affecting primarily in African and South American regions. To date, there is no FDA-approved licensed vaccine against arenaviruses and treatments have been limited to supportive therapy. Hence, the study was employed to design a highly immunogenic cross-reactive vaccine against Arenaviridae family using reverse vaccinology approach. The whole proteome of Lassa virus (LASV), Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), Lujo virus and Guanarito virus were retrieved and assessed to determine the most antigenic viral proteins. Both T-cell and B-cell epitopes were predicted and screened based on transmembrane topology, antigenicity, allergenicity, toxicity and molecular docking analysis. The final constructs were designed using different adjuvants, top epitopes, PADRE sequence and respective linkers and were assessed for the efficacy, safety, stability and molecular cloning purposes. The proposed epitopes were highly conserved (84%–100%) and showed greater cumulative population coverage. Moreover, T cell epitope GWPYIGSRS was conserved in Junin virus (Argentine mammarenavirus) and Sabia virus (Brazilian mammarenavirus), while B cell epitope NLLYKICLSG was conserved in Machupo virus (Bolivian mammarenavirus) and Sabia virus, indicating the possibility of final vaccine construct to confer a broad range immunity in the host. Docking analysis of the refined vaccine with different MHC molecules and human immune receptors were biologically significant. The vaccine-receptor (V1-TLR3) complex showed minimal deformability at molecular level and was compatible for cloning into pET28a(+) vector of E. coli strain K12. The study could be helpful in developing vaccine to combat arenaviral infections in the future. However, further in vitro and in vivo trials using model animals are highly recommended for the experimental validation of our findings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazi Faizul Azim
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh.,Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Tahera Lasker
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Rahima Akter
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Mantasha Mahmud Hia
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Omar Faruk Bhuiyan
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet 3114, Bangladesh
| | - Mahmudul Hasan
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh.,Department of Pharmaceuticals and Industrial Biotechnology, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| | - Md Nazmul Hossain
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh.,Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, Bangladesh
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Popova OD, Zubkova OV, Ozharovskaia TA, Zrelkin DI, Voronina DV, Dolzhikova IV, Shcheblyakov DV, Naroditsky BS, Logunov DY, Gintsburg AL. [Review of candidate vaccines for the prevention of Lassa fever]. Vopr Virusol 2021; 66:91-102. [PMID: 33993679 DOI: 10.36233/0507-4088-33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The Lassa virus one of the main etiological agent of hemorrhagic fevers in the world: according to WHO estimates, it affects 100,000 to 300,000 people annually, which results in up to 10,000 deaths [1]. Although expansion of Lassa fever caused by this pathogen is mostly limited to the West African countries: Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Nigeria, imported cases have been historically documented in Europe, the United States of America (USA), Canada, Japan, and Israel [2]. In 2017, WHO included the Lassa virus in the list of priority pathogens in need of accelerated research, development of vaccines, therapeutic agents and diagnostic tools regarding infections they cause [3]. This review describes main technological platforms used for the development of vaccines for the prevention of Lassa fever.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- O D Popova
- FSBI «National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N.F. Gamaleya» of the Ministry of Health of Russia
| | - O V Zubkova
- FSBI «National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N.F. Gamaleya» of the Ministry of Health of Russia
| | - T A Ozharovskaia
- FSBI «National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N.F. Gamaleya» of the Ministry of Health of Russia
| | - D I Zrelkin
- FSBI «National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N.F. Gamaleya» of the Ministry of Health of Russia
| | - D V Voronina
- FSBI «National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N.F. Gamaleya» of the Ministry of Health of Russia
| | - I V Dolzhikova
- FSBI «National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N.F. Gamaleya» of the Ministry of Health of Russia
| | - D V Shcheblyakov
- FSBI «National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N.F. Gamaleya» of the Ministry of Health of Russia
| | - B S Naroditsky
- FSBI «National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N.F. Gamaleya» of the Ministry of Health of Russia
| | - D Yu Logunov
- FSBI «National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N.F. Gamaleya» of the Ministry of Health of Russia
| | - A L Gintsburg
- FSBI «National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after Honorary Academician N.F. Gamaleya» of the Ministry of Health of Russia
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Fischer RJ, Purushotham JN, van Doremalen N, Sebastian S, Meade-White K, Cordova K, Letko M, Jeremiah Matson M, Feldmann F, Haddock E, LaCasse R, Saturday G, Lambe T, Gilbert SC, Munster VJ. ChAdOx1-vectored Lassa fever vaccine elicits a robust cellular and humoral immune response and protects guinea pigs against lethal Lassa virus challenge. NPJ Vaccines 2021; 6:32. [PMID: 33654106 PMCID: PMC7925663 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-021-00291-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV) infects hundreds of thousands of individuals each year, highlighting the need for the accelerated development of preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic interventions. To date, no vaccine has been licensed for LASV. ChAdOx1-Lassa-GPC is a chimpanzee adenovirus-vectored vaccine encoding the Josiah strain LASV glycoprotein precursor (GPC) gene. In the following study, we show that ChAdOx1-Lassa-GPC is immunogenic, inducing robust T-cell and antibody responses in mice. Furthermore, a single dose of ChAdOx1-Lassa-GPC fully protects Hartley guinea pigs against morbidity and mortality following lethal challenge with a guinea pig-adapted LASV (strain Josiah). By contrast, control vaccinated animals reached euthanasia criteria 10-12 days after infection. Limited amounts of LASV RNA were detected in the tissues of vaccinated animals. Viable LASV was detected in only one animal receiving a single dose of the vaccine. A prime-boost regimen of ChAdOx1-Lassa-GPC in guinea pigs significantly increased antigen-specific antibody titers and cleared viable LASV from the tissues. These data support further development of ChAdOx1-Lassa-GPC and testing in non-human primate models of infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Fischer
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT USA
| | - Jyothi N. Purushotham
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT USA ,grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Neeltje van Doremalen
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT USA
| | - Sarah Sebastian
- grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK ,Present Address: Vaccitech Limited, Oxford, UK
| | - Kimberly Meade-White
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT USA
| | - Kathleen Cordova
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT USA
| | - Michael Letko
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT USA ,grid.30064.310000 0001 2157 6568Paul G. Allen School of Global Animal Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA USA
| | - M. Jeremiah Matson
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT USA ,grid.36425.360000 0001 2216 9681Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Huntington, WV USA
| | - Friederike Feldmann
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT USA
| | - Elaine Haddock
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT USA
| | - Rachel LaCasse
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT USA
| | - Greg Saturday
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT USA
| | - Teresa Lambe
- grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sarah C. Gilbert
- grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Vincent J. Munster
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Johnson DM, Cubitt B, Pfeffer TL, de la Torre JC, Lukashevich IS. Lassa Virus Vaccine Candidate ML29 Generates Truncated Viral RNAs Which Contribute to Interfering Activity and Attenuation. Viruses 2021; 13:v13020214. [PMID: 33573250 PMCID: PMC7912207 DOI: 10.3390/v13020214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Defective interfering particles (DIPs) are naturally occurring products during virus replication in infected cells. DIPs contain defective viral genomes (DVGs) and interfere with replication and propagation of their corresponding standard viral genomes by competing for viral and cellular resources, as well as promoting innate immune antiviral responses. Consequently, for many different viruses, including mammarenaviruses, DIPs play key roles in the outcome of infection. Due to their ability to broadly interfere with viral replication, DIPs are attractive tools for the development of a new generation of biologics to target genetically diverse and rapidly evolving viruses. Here, we provide evidence that in cells infected with the Lassa fever (LF) vaccine candidate ML29, a reassortant that carries the nucleoprotein (NP) and glycoprotein (GP) dominant antigens of the pathogenic Lassa virus (LASV) together with the L polymerase and Z matrix protein of the non-pathogenic genetically related Mopeia virus (MOPV), L-derived truncated RNA species are readily detected following infection at low multiplicity of infection (MOI) or in persistently-infected cells originally infected at high MOI. In the present study, we show that expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) driven by a tri-segmented form of the mammarenavirus lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (r3LCMV-GFP/GFP) was strongly inhibited in ML29-persistently infected cells, and that the magnitude of GFP suppression was dependent on the passage history of the ML29-persistently infected cells. In addition, we found that DIP-enriched ML29 was highly attenuated in immunocompetent CBA/J mice and in Hartley guinea pigs. Likewise, STAT-1-/- mice, a validated small animal model for human LF associated hearing loss sequelae, infected with DIP-enriched ML29 did not exhibit any hearing abnormalities throughout the observation period (62 days).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dylan M. Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
- Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious diseases, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA;
- Correspondence: (D.M.J.); (I.S.L.)
| | - Beatrice Cubitt
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (B.C.); (J.C.d.l.T.)
| | - Tia L. Pfeffer
- Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious diseases, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA;
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 402042, USA
| | - Juan Carlos de la Torre
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (B.C.); (J.C.d.l.T.)
| | - Igor S. Lukashevich
- Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious diseases, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA;
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 402042, USA
- Correspondence: (D.M.J.); (I.S.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Systemic viral spreading and defective host responses are associated with fatal Lassa fever in macaques. Commun Biol 2021; 4:27. [PMID: 33398113 PMCID: PMC7782745 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01543-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV) is endemic in West Africa and induces a viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) with up to 30% lethality among clinical cases. The mechanisms involved in control of Lassa fever or, in contrast, the ensuing catastrophic illness and death are poorly understood. We used the cynomolgus monkey model to reproduce the human disease with asymptomatic to mild or fatal disease. After initial replication at the inoculation site, LASV reached the secondary lymphoid organs. LASV did not spread further in nonfatal disease and was rapidly controlled by balanced innate and T-cell responses. Systemic viral dissemination occurred during severe disease. Massive replication, a cytokine/chemokine storm, defective T-cell responses, and multiorgan failure were observed. Clinical, biological, immunological, and transcriptomic parameters resembled those observed during septic-shock syndrome, suggesting that similar pathogenesis is induced during Lassa fever. The outcome appears to be determined early, as differentially expressed genes in PBMCs were associated with fatal and non-fatal Lassa fever outcome very early after infection. These results provide a full characterization and important insights into Lassa fever pathogenesis and could help to develop early diagnostic tools.
Collapse
|
22
|
Baize S. [A single shot vaccine against Lassa fever]. Med Sci (Paris) 2020; 36:844-847. [PMID: 33026323 DOI: 10.1051/medsci/2020151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Baize
- Unité de biologie des infections virales émergentes, Institut Pasteur, Lyon - Centre international de recherche en infectiologie, Université Lyon I, Inserm, CNRS, ENS de Lyon, 21 avenue Tony Garnier, 69365 Lyon Cedex 07, France
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Kainulainen MH, Spengler JR, Welch SR, Coleman-McCray JD, Harmon JR, Scholte FEM, Goldsmith CS, Nichol ST, Albariño CG, Spiropoulou CF. Protection From Lethal Lassa Disease Can Be Achieved Both Before and After Virus Exposure by Administration of Single-Cycle Replicating Lassa Virus Replicon Particles. J Infect Dis 2020; 220:1281-1289. [PMID: 31152662 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Lassa fever is a frequently severe human disease that is endemic to several countries in West Africa. To date, no licensed vaccines are available to prevent Lassa virus (LASV) infection, even though Lassa fever is thought to be an important disease contributing to mortality and both acute and chronic morbidity. We have previously described a vaccine candidate composed of single-cycle LASV replicon particles (VRPs) and a stable cell line for their production. Here, we refine the genetic composition of the VRPs and demonstrate the ability to reproducibly purify them with high yields. Studies in the guinea pig model confirm efficacy of the vaccine candidate, demonstrate that single-cycle replication is necessary for complete protection by the VRP vaccine, and show that postexposure vaccination can confer protection from lethal outcome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Cynthia S Goldsmith
- Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Ibukun FI. Inter-Lineage Variation of Lassa Virus Glycoprotein Epitopes: A Challenge to Lassa Virus Vaccine Development. Viruses 2020; 12:v12040386. [PMID: 32244402 PMCID: PMC7232328 DOI: 10.3390/v12040386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV), which causes considerable morbidity and mortality annually, has a high genetic diversity across West Africa. LASV glycoprotein (GP) expresses this diversity, but most LASV vaccine candidates utilize only the Lineage IV LASV Josiah strain GP antigen as an immunogen and homologous challenge with Lineage IV LASV. In addition to the sequence variation amongst the LASV lineages, these lineages are also distinguished in their presentations. Inter-lineage variations within previously mapped B-cell and T-cell LASV GP epitopes and the breadth of protection in LASV vaccine/challenge studies were examined critically. Multiple alignments of the GP primary sequence of strains from each LASV lineage showed that LASV GP has diverging degrees of amino acid conservation within known epitopes among LASV lineages. Conformational B-cell epitopes spanning different sites in GP subunits were less impacted by LASV diversity. LASV GP diversity should influence the approach used for LASV vaccine design. Expression of LASV GP on viral vectors, especially in its prefusion configuration, has shown potential for protective LASV vaccines that can overcome LASV diversity. Advanced vaccine candidates should demonstrate efficacy against all LASV lineages for evidence of a pan-LASV vaccine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francis Ifedayo Ibukun
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, 21201, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Cai Y, Iwasaki M, Motooka D, Liu DX, Yu S, Cooper K, Hart R, Adams R, Burdette T, Postnikova EN, Kurtz J, St Claire M, Ye C, Kuhn JH, Martínez-Sobrido L, de la Torre JC. A Lassa Virus Live-Attenuated Vaccine Candidate Based on Rearrangement of the Intergenic Region. mBio 2020; 11:e00186-20. [PMID: 32209677 PMCID: PMC7157513 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00186-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV) poses a significant public health problem within the regions of Lassa fever endemicity in Western Africa. LASV infects several hundred thousand individuals yearly, and a considerable number of Lassa fever cases are associated with high morbidity and lethality. No approved LASV vaccine is available, and current therapy is limited to an off-label usage of ribavirin that is only partially effective and associated with significant side effects. The impact of Lassa fever on human health, together with the limited existing countermeasures, highlights the importance of developing effective vaccines against LASV. Here, we present the development and characterization of a recombinant LASV (rLASV) vaccine candidate [rLASV(IGR/S-S)], which is based on the presence of the noncoding intergenic region (IGR) of the small (S) genome segment (S-IGR) in both large (L) and S LASV segments. In cultured cells, rLASV(IGR/S-S) was modestly less fit than wild-type rLASV (rLASV-WT). rLASV(IGR/S-S) was highly attenuated in guinea pigs, and a single subcutaneous low dose of the virus completely protected against otherwise lethal infection with LASV-WT. Moreover, rLASV(IGR/S-S) was genetically stable during serial passages in cultured cells. These findings indicate that rLASV(IGR/S-S) can be developed into a LASV live-attenuated vaccine (LAV) that has the same antigenic composition as LASV-WT and a well-defined mechanism of attenuation that overcomes concerns about increased virulence that could be caused by genetic changes in the LAV during multiple rounds of multiplication.IMPORTANCE Lassa virus (LASV), the causative agent of Lassa fever, infects several hundred thousand people in Western Africa, resulting in many lethal Lassa fever cases. No U.S. Food and Drug Administration-licensed countermeasures are available to prevent or treat LASV infection. We describe the generation of a novel LASV live-attenuated vaccine candidate rLASV(IGR/S-S), which is based on the replacement of the large genomic segment noncoding intergenic region (IGR) with that of the small genome segment. rLASV(IGR/S-S) is less fit in cell culture than wild-type virus and does not cause clinical signs in inoculated guinea pigs. Importantly, rLASV(IGR/S-S) protects immunized guinea pigs against an otherwise lethal exposure to LASV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingyun Cai
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Masaharu Iwasaki
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
- Laboratory of Emerging Viral Diseases, International Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Daisuke Motooka
- Laboratory of Pathogen Detection and Identification, International Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - David X Liu
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Shuiqing Yu
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Kurt Cooper
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Randy Hart
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Ricky Adams
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Tracey Burdette
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Elena N Postnikova
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Jonathan Kurtz
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Marisa St Claire
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Chengjin Ye
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Jens H Kuhn
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Luis Martínez-Sobrido
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Juan Carlos de la Torre
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Cai Y, Ye C, Cheng B, Nogales A, Iwasaki M, Yu S, Cooper K, Liu DX, Hart R, Adams R, Brady T, Postnikova EN, Kurtz J, St Claire M, Kuhn JH, de la Torre JC, Martínez-Sobrido L. A Lassa Fever Live-Attenuated Vaccine Based on Codon Deoptimization of the Viral Glycoprotein Gene. mBio 2020; 11:e00039-20. [PMID: 32098811 PMCID: PMC7042690 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00039-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV) is endemic in Western Africa and is estimated to infect hundreds of thousands of individuals annually. A considerable number of these infections result in Lassa fever (LF), which is associated with significant morbidity and a case-fatality rate as high as 69% among hospitalized confirmed patients. U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved LF vaccines are not available. Current antiviral treatment is limited to off-label use of a nucleoside analogue, ribavirin, that is only partially effective and associated with significant side effects. We generated and characterized a recombinant LASV expressing a codon-deoptimized (CD) glycoprotein precursor gene (GPC), rLASV-GPC/CD. Comparison of growth kinetics and peak titers showed that rLASV-GPC/CD is slightly attenuated in cell culture compared to wild-type (WT) recombinant LASV (rLASV-WT). However, rLASV-GPC/CD is highly attenuated in strain 13 and Hartley guinea pigs, as reflected by the absence of detectable clinical signs in animals inoculated with rLASV-GPC/CD. Importantly, a single subcutaneous dose of rLASV-GPC/CD provides complete protection against an otherwise lethal exposure to LASV. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of implementing a CD approach for developing a safe and effective LASV live-attenuated vaccine candidate. Moreover, rLASV-GPC/CD might provide investigators with a tool to safely study LASV outside maximum (biosafety level 4) containment, which could accelerate the elucidation of basic aspects of the molecular and cell biology of LASV and the development of novel LASV medical countermeasures.IMPORTANCE Lassa virus (LASV) infects several hundred thousand people in Western Africa, resulting in many lethal Lassa fever (LF) cases. Licensed LF vaccines are not available, and anti-LF therapy is limited to off-label use of the nucleoside analog ribavirin with uncertain efficacy. We describe the generation of a novel live-attenuated LASV vaccine candidate. This vaccine candidate is based on mutating wild-type (WT) LASV in a key region of the viral genome, the glycoprotein precursor (GPC) gene. These mutations do not change the encoded GPC but interfere with its production in host cells. This mutated LASV (rLASV-GPC/CD) behaves like WT LASV (rLASV-WT) in cell culture, but in contrast to rLASV-WT, does not cause disease in inoculated guinea pigs. Guinea pigs immunized with rLASV-GPC/CD were protected against an otherwise lethal exposure to WT LASV. Our results support the testing of this candidate vaccine in nonhuman primate models ofLF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingyun Cai
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Chengjin Ye
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Benson Cheng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Aitor Nogales
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Masaharu Iwasaki
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Shuiqing Yu
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Kurt Cooper
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - David X Liu
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Randy Hart
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Ricky Adams
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Tyler Brady
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Elena N Postnikova
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Jonathan Kurtz
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Marisa St Claire
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Jens H Kuhn
- Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, USA
| | - Juan Carlos de la Torre
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Luis Martínez-Sobrido
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Mateo M, Reynard S, Carnec X, Journeaux A, Baillet N, Schaeffer J, Picard C, Legras-Lachuer C, Allan R, Perthame E, Hillion KH, Pietrosemoli N, Dillies MA, Barrot L, Vallve A, Barron S, Fellmann L, Gaillard JC, Armengaud J, Carbonnelle C, Raoul H, Tangy F, Baize S. Vaccines inducing immunity to Lassa virus glycoprotein and nucleoprotein protect macaques after a single shot. Sci Transl Med 2019; 11:11/512/eaaw3163. [DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaw3163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Lassa fever is a major threat in Western Africa. The large number of people living at risk for this disease calls for the development of a vaccine against Lassa virus (LASV). We generated live-attenuated LASV vaccines based on measles virus and Mopeia virus platforms and expressing different LASV antigens, with the aim to develop a vaccine able to protect after a single shot. We compared the efficacy of these vaccines against LASV in cynomolgus monkeys. The vaccines were well tolerated and protected the animals from LASV infection and disease after a single immunization but with varying efficacy. Analysis of the immune responses showed that complete protection was associated with robust secondary T cell and antibody responses against LASV. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses showed an early activation of innate immunity and T cell priming after immunization with the most effective vaccines, with changes detectable as early as 2 days after immunization. The most efficacious vaccine candidate, a measles vector simultaneously expressing LASV glycoprotein and nucleoprotein, has been selected for further clinical evaluation.
Collapse
|
28
|
Garnett LE, Strong JE. Lassa fever: With 50 years of study, hundreds of thousands of patients and an extremely high disease burden, what have we learned? Curr Opin Virol 2019; 37:123-131. [PMID: 31479990 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2019.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E Garnett
- Special Pathogens, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Canada; Departments of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, College of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - James E Strong
- Special Pathogens, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Canada; Departments of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, College of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada; Departments of Paediatrics and Child Health, College of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Salami K, Gouglas D, Schmaljohn C, Saville M, Tornieporth N. A review of Lassa fever vaccine candidates. Curr Opin Virol 2019; 37:105-111. [PMID: 31472333 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2019.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Lassa fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the Lassa virus, a rodent-borne arenavirus endemic to West Africa. Recent steady increase in reported cases of the disease in Nigeria, where 123 deaths occurred in 546 confirmed cases in 2019 has further underlined the need to accelerate the development of vaccines for preventing the disease. Intensified research and development of Lassa fever medical countermeasures have yielded some vaccine candidates with preclinical scientific plausibility using predominantly novel technology. The more advanced candidates are based on recombinant measles, Vesicular Stomatitis Virus or Mopiea and Lassa virus reassortants expressing Lassa virus antigens, and the deoxyribonucleic acid platform. However, the Lassa fever portfolio still lags behind other neglected tropical diseases', and further investments are needed for continued development and additional research, such as the safety and efficacy of these vaccine candidates in special populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kolawole Salami
- R & D Blueprint for the Prevention of Epidemics, Room 3170, World Health Organization Headquarters, 20, Avenue Appia, Geneva 1211, Switzerland
| | - Dimitrios Gouglas
- Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, Marcus Thranes Gate 2, 0473 Oslo, Norway
| | - Connie Schmaljohn
- U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1425 Porter St, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Melanie Saville
- Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, Gibbs Building, 215 Euston Rd, Bloomsbury, London NW1 2BE, UK.
| | - Nadia Tornieporth
- Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, Gibbs Building, 215 Euston Rd, Bloomsbury, London NW1 2BE, UK
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Tang-Huau TL, Feldmann H, Rosenke K. Animal models for Lassa virus infection. Curr Opin Virol 2019; 37:112-117. [PMID: 31442921 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2019.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In humans, Lassa virus infection can result in disease with hemorrhagic manifestations and high fatality rates. There are no approved treatments or vaccines available and the inherent danger of studying Lassa virus means it can only be studied in high containment labs (BSL4). Under these conditions, mouse models are becoming an important instrument in the study of Lassa virus infection, disease and host responses. While guinea pigs and non-human primates are the critical components in assessing treatments and vaccines and have recently been used with great affect in this capacity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tsing-Lee Tang-Huau
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT, USA
| | - H Feldmann
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT, USA; Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
| | - K Rosenke
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Vaccine platforms for the prevention of Lassa fever. Immunol Lett 2019; 215:1-11. [PMID: 31026485 PMCID: PMC7132387 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2019.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2019] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The epidemiological significance of Lassa fever in West Africa is discussed. Viral ecology, pathology, and immunobiology of Lassa virus infection is described. Multiple vaccine candidates have been tested in pre-clinical models. Lassa fever vaccine candidates have yet to progress to clinical trials. Five platform technologies have been selected for expedited development.
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by Lassa virus (LASV), which is endemic throughout much of West Africa. The virus primarily circulates in the Mastomys natalensis reservoir and is transmitted to humans through contact with infectious rodents or their secretions; human-to-human transmission is documented as well. With the exception of Dengue fever, LASV has the highest human impact of any haemorrhagic fever virus. On-going outbreaks in Nigeria have resulted in unprecedented mortality. Consequently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has listed LASV as a high priority pathogen for the development of treatments and prophylactics. Currently, there are no licensed vaccines to protect against LASV infection. Although numerous candidates have demonstrated efficacy in animal models, to date, only a single candidate has advanced to clinical trials. Lassa fever vaccine development efforts have been hindered by the high cost of biocontainment requirements, the absence of established correlates of protection, and uncertainty regarding the extent to which animal models are predictive of vaccine efficacy in humans. This review briefly discusses the epidemiology and biology of LASV infection and highlights recent progress in vaccine development.
Collapse
|
32
|
Brisse ME, Ly H. Hemorrhagic Fever-Causing Arenaviruses: Lethal Pathogens and Potent Immune Suppressors. Front Immunol 2019; 10:372. [PMID: 30918506 PMCID: PMC6424867 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemorrhagic fevers (HF) resulting from pathogenic arenaviral infections have traditionally been neglected as tropical diseases primarily affecting African and South American regions. There are currently no FDA-approved vaccines for arenaviruses, and treatments have been limited to supportive therapy and use of non-specific nucleoside analogs, such as Ribavirin. Outbreaks of arenaviral infections have been limited to certain geographic areas that are endemic but known cases of exportation of arenaviruses from endemic regions and socioeconomic challenges for local control of rodent reservoirs raise serious concerns about the potential for larger outbreaks in the future. This review synthesizes current knowledge about arenaviral evolution, ecology, transmission patterns, life cycle, modulation of host immunity, disease pathogenesis, as well as discusses recent development of preventative and therapeutic pursuits against this group of deadly viral pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Morgan E Brisse
- Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics Graduate Program, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States.,Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
| | - Hinh Ly
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, United States
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Lukashevich IS, Paessler S, de la Torre JC. Lassa virus diversity and feasibility for universal prophylactic vaccine. F1000Res 2019; 8. [PMID: 30774934 PMCID: PMC6357994 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.16989.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV) is a highly prevalent mammarenavirus in West Africa and is maintained in nature in a persistently infected rodent host, Mastomys natalensis, which is widely spread in sub-Saharan Africa. LASV infection of humans can cause Lassa fever (LF), a disease associated with high morbidity and significant mortality. Recent evidence indicates an LASV expansion outside its traditional endemic areas. In 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) included LASV in top-priority pathogens and released a Target Product Profile (TPP) for vaccine development. Likewise, in 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration added LF to a priority review voucher program to encourage the development of preventive and therapeutics measures. In this article, we review recent progress in LASV vaccine research and development with a focus on the impact of LASV genetic and biological diversity on the design and development of vaccine candidates meeting the WHO's TPP for an LASV vaccine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Igor S Lukashevich
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA
| | - Slobodan Paessler
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Juan Carlos de la Torre
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology IMM-6, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Attenuated Replication of Lassa Virus Vaccine Candidate ML29 in STAT-1 -/- Mice. Pathogens 2019; 8:pathogens8010009. [PMID: 30650607 PMCID: PMC6470856 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens8010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV), a highly prevalent mammalian arenavirus endemic in West Africa, can cause Lassa fever (LF), which is responsible for thousands of deaths annually. LASV is transmitted to humans from naturally infected rodents. At present, there is not an effective vaccine nor treatment. The genetic diversity of LASV is the greatest challenge for vaccine development. The reassortant ML29 carrying the L segment from the nonpathogenic Mopeia virus (MOPV) and the S segment from LASV is a vaccine candidate under current development. ML29 demonstrated complete protection in validated animal models against a Nigerian strain from clade II, which was responsible for the worst outbreak on record in 2018. This study demonstrated that ML29 was more attenuated than MOPV in STAT1-/- mice, a small animal model of human LF and its sequelae. ML29 infection of these mice resulted in more than a thousand-fold reduction in viremia and viral load in tissues and strong LASV-specific adaptive T cell responses compared to MOPV-infected mice. Persistent infection of Vero cells with ML29 resulted in generation of interfering particles (IPs), which strongly interfered with the replication of LASV, MOPV and LCMV, the prototype of the Arenaviridae. ML29 IPs induced potent cell-mediated immunity and were fully attenuated in STAT1-/- mice. Formulation of ML29 with IPs will improve the breadth of the host’s immune responses and further contribute to development of a pan-LASV vaccine with full coverage meeting the WHO requirements.
Collapse
|
35
|
Zapata JC, Medina-Moreno S, Guzmán-Cardozo C, Salvato MS. Improving the Breadth of the Host's Immune Response to Lassa Virus. Pathogens 2018; 7:E84. [PMID: 30373278 PMCID: PMC6313495 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens7040084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Revised: 10/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2017, the global Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness (CEPI) declared Lassa virus disease to be one of the world's foremost biothreats. In January 2018, World Health Organization experts met to address the Lassa biothreat. It was commonly recognized that the diversity of Lassa virus (LASV) isolated from West African patient samples was far greater than that of the Ebola isolates from the West African epidemic of 2013⁻2016. Thus, vaccines produced against Lassa virus disease face the added challenge that they must be broadly-protective against a wide variety of LASV. In this review, we discuss what is known about the immune response to Lassa infection. We also discuss the approaches used to make broadly-protective influenza vaccines and how they could be applied to developing broad vaccine coverage against LASV disease. Recent advances in AIDS research are also potentially applicable to the design of broadly-protective medical countermeasures against LASV disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Carlos Zapata
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| | - Sandra Medina-Moreno
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| | - Camila Guzmán-Cardozo
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| | - Maria S Salvato
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Abreu-Mota T, Hagen KR, Cooper K, Jahrling PB, Tan G, Wirblich C, Johnson RF, Schnell MJ. Non-neutralizing antibodies elicited by recombinant Lassa-Rabies vaccine are critical for protection against Lassa fever. Nat Commun 2018; 9:4223. [PMID: 30310067 PMCID: PMC6181965 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06741-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Lassa fever (LF), caused by Lassa virus (LASV), is a viral hemorrhagic fever for which no approved vaccine or potent antiviral treatment is available. LF is a WHO priority disease and, together with rabies, a major health burden in West Africa. Here we present the development and characterization of an inactivated recombinant LASV and rabies vaccine candidate (LASSARAB) that expresses a codon-optimized LASV glycoprotein (coGPC) and is adjuvanted by a TLR-4 agonist (GLA-SE). LASSARAB elicits lasting humoral response against LASV and RABV in both mouse and guinea pig models, and it protects both guinea pigs and mice against LF. We also demonstrate a previously unexplored role for non-neutralizing LASV GPC-specific antibodies as a major mechanism of protection by LASSARAB against LF through antibody-dependent cellular functions. Overall, these findings demonstrate an effective inactivated LF vaccine and elucidate a novel humoral correlate of protection for LF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Abreu-Mota
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, 4710-057, Portugal
| | - Katie R Hagen
- Integrated Research Facility, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick MD, 21702, USA
| | - Kurt Cooper
- Integrated Research Facility, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick MD, 21702, USA
| | - Peter B Jahrling
- Integrated Research Facility, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Fort Detrick MD, 21702, USA
- Emerging Viral Pathogens Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda MD, 20892, USA
| | - Gene Tan
- Infectious Disease, The J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla CA, 92037, USA
| | - Christoph Wirblich
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
| | - Reed F Johnson
- Emerging Viral Pathogens Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda MD, 20892, USA
| | - Matthias J Schnell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA.
- Jefferson Vaccine Center, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Warner BM, Safronetz D, Stein DR. Current research for a vaccine against Lassa hemorrhagic fever virus. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2018; 12:2519-2527. [PMID: 30147299 PMCID: PMC6097522 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s147276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV) is a rodent-borne arenavirus endemic to several West African countries that causes Lassa fever (LF). LF is typically mild but it can cause severe disease characterized by hemorrhagic fever and multi-organ failure. A current outbreak of LASV in Nigeria has seen greater than 300 cases with a case fatality rate of 22%. Currently, there are limited treatment options and no vaccine candidates are approved to prevent LASV infection. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations has identified LASV as an emerging pathogen of high consequence and this has resulted in a push for several preclinical vaccine candidates to be advanced toward clinical trials. Here, we discuss several important aspects of LASV infection including immunobiology, immune evasion, and correlates of protection against LF, which have been identified through animal models and human infections. In addition, we discuss several vaccine candidates that have shown efficacy in animal models that could be advanced toward clinical trials. The increased fatality rate seen in the recent LASV outbreak in Nigeria highlights the importance of developing effective treatment and prevention strategies against LF. The spike in LASV cases seen in West Africa has the potential for increased mortality and human-to-human transmission, making the development and testing of effective vaccines for LASV critical.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bryce M Warner
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - David Safronetz
- Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada,
| | - Derek R Stein
- Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada,
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Welch SR, Scholte FEM, Albariño CG, Kainulainen MH, Coleman-McCray JD, Guerrero LW, Chakrabarti AK, Klena JD, Nichol ST, Spengler JR, Spiropoulou CF. The S Genome Segment Is Sufficient to Maintain Pathogenicity in Intra-Clade Lassa Virus Reassortants in a Guinea Pig Model. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:240. [PMID: 30050872 PMCID: PMC6050391 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome reassortment in Lassa virus (LASV) has been reported in nature, but phenotypic consequences of this phenomenon are not well described. Here we characterize, both in vitro and in vivo, reassortment between 2 LASV strains: the prototypic 1976 Josiah strain and a more recently isolated 2015 Liberian strain. In vitro analysis showed that although cis- and trans-acting elements of viral RNA synthesis were compatible between strains, reassortants demonstrated different levels of viral replication. These differences were also apparent in vivo, as reassortants varied in pathogenicity in the guinea pig model of LASV infection. The reassortant variant containing the Josiah S segment retained the virulence of the parental Josiah strain, but the reassortant variant containing the S segment of the Liberian isolate was highly attenuated compared to both parental strains. Contrary to observations in reassortants between LASV and other arenavirus species, which suggest that L segment-encoded factors are responsible for virulence, these studies highlight a role for S segment-encoded virulence factors in disease, and also suggest that inefficient interactions between proteins of heterologous strains may limit the prevalence of reassortant LASV variants in nature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen R Welch
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Florine E M Scholte
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - César G Albariño
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Markus H Kainulainen
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - JoAnn D Coleman-McCray
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Lisa Wiggleton Guerrero
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Ayan K Chakrabarti
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - John D Klena
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Stuart T Nichol
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jessica R Spengler
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Christina F Spiropoulou
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Fernandes J, Guterres A, de Oliveira RC, Chamberlain J, Lewandowski K, Teixeira BR, Coelho TA, Crisóstomo CF, Bonvicino CR, D'Andrea PS, Hewson R, de Lemos ERS. Xapuri virus, a novel mammarenavirus: natural reassortment and increased diversity between New World viruses. Emerg Microbes Infect 2018; 7:120. [PMID: 29959319 PMCID: PMC6026159 DOI: 10.1038/s41426-018-0119-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Mammarenavirus RNA was detected in Musser’s bristly mouse (Neacomys musseri) from the Amazon region, and this detection indicated that rodents were infected with a novel mammarenavirus, with the proposed name Xapuri virus (XAPV), which is phylogenetically related to New World Clade B and Clade C viruses. XAPV may represent the first natural reassortment of the Arenaviridae family and a new unrecognized clade within the Tacaribe serocomplex group.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jorlan Fernandes
- Laboratory of Hantaviruses and Rickettsiosis, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 21040-360, Brazil.
| | - Alexandro Guterres
- Laboratory of Hantaviruses and Rickettsiosis, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Renata Carvalho de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Hantaviruses and Rickettsiosis, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - John Chamberlain
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Kuiama Lewandowski
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Bernardo Rodrigues Teixeira
- Laboratory of Biology and Parasitology of Wild Mammals Reservoirs, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Thayssa Alves Coelho
- Laboratory of Hantaviruses and Rickettsiosis, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Charle Ferreira Crisóstomo
- Laboratory of Biology and Parasitology of Wild Mammals Reservoirs, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 21040-360, Brazil.,Federal Institute of Acre, Rio Branco - AC, 69900-640, Brazil.,Postgraduate Program in Biodiversity and Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Cibele Rodrigues Bonvicino
- Laboratory of Biology and Parasitology of Wild Mammals Reservoirs, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 21040-360, Brazil.,Nacional Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeio - RJ, 20230-130, Brazil
| | - Paulo Sérgio D'Andrea
- Laboratory of Biology and Parasitology of Wild Mammals Reservoirs, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 21040-360, Brazil.,Postgraduate Program in Biodiversity and Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Roger Hewson
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Elba Regina Sampaio de Lemos
- Laboratory of Hantaviruses and Rickettsiosis, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 21040-360, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV) is a persistent global health threat that causes about half a million cases of Lassa fever each year in Western Africa. Although most cases are mild, the disease can cause significant morbidity and results in as many as 5,000 deaths per year. Since 2015, Nigeria has been experiencing a severe and extended outbreak of Lassa fever, raising concerns that it could spill over into other countries and reach a magnitude similar to the West African Ebola outbreak of 2013-2016. Despite the burden that Lassa fever places on public health, both in Africa and around the world, there are still no clinically-approved therapeutics or vaccines to treat or prevent it. Nevertheless, a number of promising candidate vaccines have been developed over the last several years, and there is a growing political and social determination to drive at least one of these candidates towards licensure. This paper describes a LASV vaccine candidate that is being developed at Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory. Based on the same live attenuated vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) vaccine platform that was used to produce the successful Ebola virus vaccine, the VSV-based LASV vaccine has been shown to elicit a potent and protective immune response against LASV. The vaccine shows 100% protection in the "gold-standard" nonhuman primate model of Lassa fever, inducing both humoral and cellular immune responses. Moreover, studies have shown that a single vaccination may offer universal protection against numerous different strains of the virus, and additional studies have shown that immunization with the VSV platform appears to be unaffected by pre-existing immunity to VSV. The next step in the development of the VSV-based LASV vaccine is phase I human clinical trials to assess vaccine safety and dosage.
Collapse
|
41
|
Baseline mapping of Lassa fever virology, epidemiology and vaccine research and development. NPJ Vaccines 2018; 3:11. [PMID: 29581897 PMCID: PMC5861057 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-018-0049-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Revised: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Lassa fever (LF) is a zoonotic disease associated with acute and potentially fatal hemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus (LASV), a member of the family Arenaviridae. It is generally assumed that a single infection with LASV will produce life-long protective immunity. This suggests that protective immunity induced by vaccination is an achievable goal and that cell-mediated immunity may play a more important role in protection, at least following natural infection. Seropositive individuals in endemic regions have been shown to have LASV-specific T cells recognizing epitopes for nucleocapsid protein (NP) and glycoprotein precursor (GPC), suggesting that these will be important vaccine immunogens. The role of neutralizing antibodies in protective immunity is still equivocal as recent studies suggest a role for neutralizing antibodies. There is extensive genetic heterogeneity among LASV strains that is of concern in the development of assays to detect and identify all four LASV lineages. Furthermore, the gene disparity may complicate the synthesis of effective vaccines that will provide protection across multiple lineages. Non-human primate models of LASV infection are considered the gold standard for recapitulation of human LF. The most promising vaccine candidates to date are the ML29 (a live attenuated reassortant of Mopeia and LASV), vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and vaccinia-vectored platforms based on their ability to induce protection following single doses, high rates of survival following challenge, and the use of live virus platforms. To date no LASV vaccine candidates have undergone clinical evaluation.
Collapse
|
42
|
Mammarenaviral Infection Is Dependent on Directional Exposure to and Release from Polarized Intestinal Epithelia. Viruses 2018; 10:v10020075. [PMID: 29439402 PMCID: PMC5850382 DOI: 10.3390/v10020075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Revised: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammarenavirusesare single-stranded RNA viruses with a bisegmented ambisense genome. Ingestion has been shown as a natural route of transmission for both Lassa virus (LASV) and Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). Due to the mechanism of transmission, epithelial tissues are among the first host cells to come in contact with the viruses, and as such they potentially play a role in spread of virus to naïve hosts. The role of the intestinal epithelia during arenavirus infection remains to be uncharacterized. We have utilized a well-established cell culture model, Caco-2, to investigate the role of intestinal epithelia during intragastric infection. We found that LCMV-Armstrong, LCMV-WE, and Mopeia (MOPV) release infectious progeny via similar patterns. However, the reassortant virus, ML-29, containing the L segment of MOPV and S segment of LASV, exhibits a unique pattern of viral release relative to LCMV and MOPV. Furthermore, we have determined attachment efficacy to Caco-2 cells is potentially responsible for observed replication kinetics of these viruses in a polarized Caco-2 cell model. Collectively, our data shows that viral dissemination and interaction with intestinal epithelia may be host, tissue, and viral specific.
Collapse
|
43
|
Wang M, Jokinen J, Tretyakova I, Pushko P, Lukashevich IS. Alphavirus vector-based replicon particles expressing multivalent cross-protective Lassa virus glycoproteins. Vaccine 2018; 36:683-690. [PMID: 29287681 PMCID: PMC5806529 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.12.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Revised: 12/09/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV) is the most prevalent rodent-borne arenavirus circulated in West Africa. With population at risk from Senegal to Nigeria, LASV causes Lassa fever and is responsible for thousands of deaths annually. High genetic diversity of LASV is one of the challenges for vaccine R&D. We developed multivalent virus-like particle vectors (VLPVs) derived from the human Venezuelan equine encephalitis TC-83 IND vaccine (VEEV) as the next generation of alphavirus-based bicistronic RNA replicon particles. The genes encoding VEEV structural proteins were replaced with LASV glycoproteins (GPC) from distantly related clades I and IV with individual 26S promoters. Bicistronic RNA replicons encoding wild-type LASV GPC (GPCwt) and C-terminally deleted, non-cleavable modified glycoprotein (ΔGPfib), were encapsidated into VLPV particles using VEEV capsid and glycoproteins provided in trans. In transduced cells, VLPVs induced simultaneous expression of LASV GPCwt and ΔGPfib from 26S alphavirus promoters. LASV ΔGPfib was predominantly expressed as trimers, accumulated in the endoplasmic reticulum, induced ER stress and apoptosis promoting antigen cross-priming. VLPV vaccines were immunogenic and protective in mice and upregulated CD11c+/CD8+ dendritic cells playing the major role in cross-presentation. Notably, VLPV vaccination resulted in induction of cross-reactive multifunctional T cell responses after stimulation of immune splenocytes with peptide cocktails derived from LASV from clades I-IV. Multivalent RNA replicon-based LASV vaccines can be applicable for first responders, international travelers visiting endemic areas, military and lab personnel.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Min Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, NIH Regional Bio-containment Laboratory, University of Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Jenny Jokinen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, NIH Regional Bio-containment Laboratory, University of Louisville, KY, USA
| | | | | | - Igor S Lukashevich
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, NIH Regional Bio-containment Laboratory, University of Louisville, KY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Cashman KA, Wilkinson ER, Shaia CI, Facemire PR, Bell TM, Bearss JJ, Shamblin JD, Wollen SE, Broderick KE, Sardesai NY, Schmaljohn CS. A DNA vaccine delivered by dermal electroporation fully protects cynomolgus macaques against Lassa fever. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2017; 13:2902-2911. [PMID: 29045192 PMCID: PMC5718832 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2017.1356500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV) is an ambisense RNA virus in the Arenaviridae family and is the etiological agent of Lassa fever, a severe hemorrhagic disease endemic to West and Central Africa.1,2 There are no US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-licensed vaccines available to prevent Lassa fever.1,2 in our previous studies, we developed a gene-optimized DNA vaccine that encodes the glycoprotein precursor gene of LASV (Josiah strain) and demonstrated that 3 vaccinations accompanied by dermal electroporation protected guinea pigs from LASV-associated illness and death. Here, we describe an initial efficacy experiment in cynomolgus macaque nonhuman primates (NHPs) in which we followed an identical 3-dose vaccine schedule that was successful in guinea pigs, and a follow-on experiment in which we used an accelerated vaccination strategy consisting of 2 administrations, spaced 4 weeks apart. In both studies, all of the LASV DNA-vaccinated NHPs survived challenge and none of them had measureable, sustained viremia or displayed weight loss or other disease signs post-exposure. Three of 10 mock-vaccinates survived exposure to LASV, but all of them became acutely ill post-exposure and remained chronically ill to the study end point (45 d post-exposure). Two of the 3 survivors experienced sensorineural hearing loss (described elsewhere). These results clearly demonstrate that the LASV DNA vaccine combined with dermal electroporation is a highly effective candidate for eventual use in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen A Cashman
- a Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious diseases (USAMRIID) , Fort Detrick , MD , USA
| | - Eric R Wilkinson
- a Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious diseases (USAMRIID) , Fort Detrick , MD , USA
| | - Carl I Shaia
- b Pathology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious diseases (USAMRIID) , Fort Detrick , MD , USA
| | - Paul R Facemire
- b Pathology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious diseases (USAMRIID) , Fort Detrick , MD , USA
| | - Todd M Bell
- b Pathology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious diseases (USAMRIID) , Fort Detrick , MD , USA
| | - Jeremy J Bearss
- b Pathology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious diseases (USAMRIID) , Fort Detrick , MD , USA
| | - Joshua D Shamblin
- a Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious diseases (USAMRIID) , Fort Detrick , MD , USA
| | - Suzanne E Wollen
- a Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious diseases (USAMRIID) , Fort Detrick , MD , USA
| | | | | | - Connie S Schmaljohn
- d Office of the Chief Scientists, Headquarters, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases , Fort Detrick , MD , USA
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Abstract
Lassa virus remains an important cause of illness in West Africa and among the travelers returning from this region with an acute febrile illness. The symptoms of Lassa fever can be nonspecific and mimic those of other endemic infections, especially early in illness, making a clinical diagnosis difficult; therefore, laboratory testing is needed to confirm the diagnosis. An early identification of Lassa fever is crucial for maximizing the benefit of available antiviral therapy, as treatment efficacy rapidly decreases following the clinical onset of the disease. This minireview provides an overview of the currently available diagnostic tests for Lassa fever and their strengths and weaknesses.
Collapse
|
46
|
Cheng BYH, Nogales A, de la Torre JC, Martínez-Sobrido L. Development of live-attenuated arenavirus vaccines based on codon deoptimization of the viral glycoprotein. Virology 2016; 501:35-46. [PMID: 27855284 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2016.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2016] [Revised: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Several arenaviruses, chiefly Lassa (LASV) in West Africa, cause hemorrhagic fever (HF) disease in humans and pose important public health problems in their endemic regions. To date, there are no FDA-approved arenavirus vaccines and current anti-arenaviral therapy is limited to the use of ribavirin that has very limited efficacy. In this work we document that a recombinant prototypic arenavirus lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) with a codon deoptimized (CD) surface glycoprotein (GP), rLCMV/CD, exhibited wild type (WT)-like growth properties in cultured cells despite barely detectable GP expression levels in rLCMV/CD-infected cells. Importantly, rLCMV/CD was highly attenuated in vivo but able to induce complete protection against a subsequent lethal challenge with rLCMV/WT. Our findings support the feasibility of implementing an arenavirus GP CD-based approach for the development of safe and effective live-attenuated vaccines (LAVs) to combat diseases caused by human pathogenic arenaviruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benson Y H Cheng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Aitor Nogales
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Juan Carlos de la Torre
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Luis Martínez-Sobrido
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Patterson JL. Vaccines and me. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2016; 12:2992-2994. [PMID: 27295382 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2016.1188640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jean L Patterson
- a BSL-4 Task Force, Department of Virology and Immunology , Texas Biomedical Research Institute , San Antonio , TX , USA
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lassa virus (LASV), the most prominent human pathogen of the Arenaviridae, is transmitted to humans from infected rodents and can cause Lassa Fever (LF). The sizeable disease burden in West Africa, numerous imported LF cases worldwide, and the possibility that LASV can be used as an agent of biological warfare make a strong case for vaccine development. There are no licensed LASV vaccines and the antiviral treatment is limited to an off-label use of ribavirin that is only partially effective. AREAS COVERED LASV vaccine development is hampered by high cost of biocontainment requirement, the absence of appropriate small animal models, genetic diversity of LASV species, and by high HIV-1 prevalence in LASV endemic areas. Over the past 15 years several vaccine platforms have been developed. Natural history of LASV and pathogenesis of the disease provide strong justification for replication-competent (RC) vaccine as one of the most feasible approaches to control LF. Development of LASV vaccine candidates based on reassortant, recombinant, and alphavirus replicon technologies is covered in this review. Expert commentary: Two lead RC vaccine candidates, reassortant ML29 and recombinant VSV/LASV, have been successfully tested in non-human primates and have been recommended by international vaccine experts for rapid clinical development. Both platforms have powerful molecular tools to further secure safety, improve immunogenicity, and cross-protection. These platforms are well positioned to design multivalent vaccines to protect against all LASV strains citculatrd in West Africa. The regulatory pathway of Candid #1, the first live-attenuated arenaviral vaccine against Argentine hemorrhagic, will be a reasonable guideline for LASV vaccine efficacy trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Igor S Lukashevich
- a Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, and the Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases , University of Louisville , Louisville , KY , USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Leblanc P, Moise L, Luza C, Chantaralawan K, Lezeau L, Yuan J, Field M, Richer D, Boyle C, Martin WD, Fishman JB, Berg EA, Baker D, Zeigler B, Mais DE, Taylor W, Coleman R, Warren HS, Gelfand JA, De Groot AS, Brauns T, Poznansky MC. VaxCelerate II: rapid development of a self-assembling vaccine for Lassa fever. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2015; 10:3022-38. [PMID: 25483693 DOI: 10.4161/hv.34413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of effective vaccines against emerging infectious diseases (EID) can take as much or more than a decade to progress from pathogen isolation/identification to clinical approval. As a result, conventional approaches fail to produce field-ready vaccines before the EID has spread extensively. Lassa is a prototypical emerging infectious disease endemic to West Africa for which no successful vaccine is available. We established the VaxCelerate Consortium to address the need for more rapid vaccine development by creating a platform capable of generating and pre-clinically testing a new vaccine against specific pathogen targets in less than 120 d A self-assembling vaccine is at the core of the approach. It consists of a fusion protein composed of the immunostimulatory Mycobacterium tuberculosis heat shock protein 70 (MtbHSP70) and the biotin binding protein, avidin. Mixing the resulting protein (MAV) with biotinylated pathogen-specific immunogenic peptides yields a self-assembled vaccine (SAV). To meet the time constraint imposed on this project, we used a distributed R&D model involving experts in the fields of protein engineering and production, bioinformatics, peptide synthesis/design and GMP/GLP manufacturing and testing standards. SAV immunogenicity was first tested using H1N1 influenza specific peptides and the entire VaxCelerate process was then tested in a mock live-fire exercise targeting Lassa fever virus. We demonstrated that the Lassa fever vaccine induced significantly increased class II peptide specific interferon-γ CD4(+) T cell responses in HLA-DR3 transgenic mice compared to peptide or MAV alone controls. We thereby demonstrated that our SAV in combination with a distributed development model may facilitate accelerated regulatory review by using an identical design for each vaccine and by applying safety and efficacy assessment tools that are more relevant to human vaccine responses than current animal models.
Collapse
Key Words
- 6MDP, 6-muramyl dipeptide
- CGE, Capillary Gel Electrophoresis
- CLO97, TLR7 ligand
- CTL, Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte
- CpG1826, Synthetic Oligodeoxynucleotide containing unmethylated dinucleotide sequences (Toll-like receptor 9 agonist)
- DARPA, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
- EIDs, Emerging Infectious Diseases
- Flu vaccine
- GLP, Good Laboratory Practice
- GMP, Good Manufacturing Practice
- GP1, Glycoprotein-1
- GP2, Glycoprotein-2
- HLA, Human Leukocyte Antigen
- HRP, Horseradish Peroxidase
- LV, Lassa Fever Virus
- Lassa fever virus
- MAV, Mycobacterium tuberculosis Heat Shock Protein 70 – Avidin
- MtbHSP70, Mycobacterium tuberculosis Heat Shock Protein 70
- NHP, Non-human Primates
- OVA, Ovalbumin
- PAGE, Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis
- PBMC, Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell
- PEG, Polyethyleneglycol
- RVKR, Furin Cleavage Site (Arginine, Valine, Lysine, Arginine)
- SAV, Self-assembled vaccine
- SAVL; Self-assembled vaccine formulated for Lassa Fever Virus
- VaxCelerate
- arenavirus
- emerging infectious diseases
- mycobacterium tuberculosis heat shock protein 70
- peptide design
- self-assembled vaccine
- vaccine
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Leblanc
- a Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center; Massachusetts General Hospital ; Charlestown , MA USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Human hemorrhagic Fever causing arenaviruses: molecular mechanisms contributing to virus virulence and disease pathogenesis. Pathogens 2015; 4:283-306. [PMID: 26011826 PMCID: PMC4493475 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens4020283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2015] [Revised: 05/11/2015] [Accepted: 05/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Arenaviruses include multiple human pathogens ranging from the low-risk lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) to highly virulent hemorrhagic fever (HF) causing viruses such as Lassa (LASV), Junin (JUNV), Machupo (MACV), Lujo (LUJV), Sabia (SABV), Guanarito (GTOV), and Chapare (CHPV), for which there are limited preventative and therapeutic measures. Why some arenaviruses can cause virulent human infections while others cannot, even though they are isolated from the same rodent hosts, is an enigma. Recent studies have revealed several potential pathogenic mechanisms of arenaviruses, including factors that increase viral replication capacity and suppress host innate immunity, which leads to high viremia and generalized immune suppression as the hallmarks of severe and lethal arenaviral HF diseases. This review summarizes current knowledge of the roles of each of the four viral proteins and some known cellular factors in the pathogenesis of arenaviral HF as well as of some human primary cell-culture and animal models that lend themselves to studying arenavirus-induced HF disease pathogenesis. Knowledge gained from these studies can be applied towards the development of novel therapeutics and vaccines against these deadly human pathogens.
Collapse
|