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McMillen CM, Megli C, Radisic R, Skvarca LB, Hoehl RM, Boyles DA, McGaughey JJ, Bird BH, McElroy AK, Hartman AL. Vaccine strains of Rift Valley fever virus exhibit attenuation at the maternal-fetal placental interface. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.31.596800. [PMID: 38854055 PMCID: PMC11160702 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.31.596800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) infection causes abortions in ruminant livestock and is associated with an increased likelihood of miscarriages in women. Using sheep and human placenta explant cultures, we sought to identify tissues at the maternal-fetal interface targeted by RVFV. Sheep villi and fetal membranes were highly permissive to RVFV infection resulting in markedly higher virus titers than human cultures. Sheep cultures were most permissive to wild-type RVFV and ΔNSm infection, while live attenuated RVFV vaccines (LAVs; MP-12, ΔNSs, and ΔNSs/ΔNSm) exhibited reduced replication. The human fetal membrane restricted wild-type and LAV replication, and when infection occurred, it was prominent in the maternal-facing side. Type-I and type-III interferons were induced in human villi exposed to LAVs lacking the NSs protein. This study supports the use of sheep and human placenta explants to understand vertical transmission of RVFV in mammals and whether LAVs are attenuated at the maternal-fetal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia M. McMillen
- University of Pittsburgh, Center for Vaccine Research, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Christina Megli
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the Magee-Womens Research Institute, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Reproductive Infectious Disease, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Rebecca Radisic
- One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Lauren B. Skvarca
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ryan M. Hoehl
- University of Pittsburgh, Center for Vaccine Research, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Devin A. Boyles
- University of Pittsburgh, Center for Vaccine Research, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Brian H. Bird
- One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Anita K. McElroy
- University of Pittsburgh, Center for Vaccine Research, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Amy L. Hartman
- University of Pittsburgh, Center for Vaccine Research, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- University of Pittsburgh, Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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2
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Doores KJ. Humoral immunity to phlebovirus infection. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2023; 1530:23-31. [PMID: 37936483 PMCID: PMC10952791 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.15080] [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] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Phleboviruses are zoonotic pathogens found in parts of Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America and cause disease symptoms ranging from self-limiting febrile illness to severe disease, including hemorrhagic diathesis, encephalitis, and ocular pathologies. There are currently no approved preventative vaccines against phlebovirus infection or antivirals for the treatment of the disease. Here, we discuss the roles of neutralizing antibodies in phlebovirus infection, the antigenic targets present on the mature polyproteins Gn and Gc, progress in vaccine development, and the prospects of identifying conserved neutralizing epitopes across multiple phleboviruses. Further research in this area will pave the way for the rational design of pan-phlebovirus vaccines that will protect against both known phleboviruses but also newly emerging phleboviruses that may have pandemic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie J. Doores
- Department of Infectious Diseases, King's College LondonGuy's HospitalLondonUK
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3
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Alkan C, Jurado-Cobena E, Ikegami T. Advancements in Rift Valley fever vaccines: a historical overview and prospects for next generation candidates. NPJ Vaccines 2023; 8:171. [PMID: 37925544 PMCID: PMC10625542 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00769-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a zoonotic viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes and causes abortion storms, fetal malformations, and newborn animal deaths in livestock ruminants. In humans, RVF can manifest as hemorrhagic fever, encephalitis, or retinitis. Outbreaks of RVF have been occurring in Africa since the early 20th century and continue to pose a threat to both humans and animals in various regions such as Africa, Madagascar, the Comoros, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. The development of RVF vaccines is crucial in preventing mortality and morbidity and reducing the spread of the virus. While several veterinary vaccines have been licensed in endemic countries, there are currently no licensed RVF vaccines for human use. This review provides an overview of the existing RVF vaccines, as well as potential candidates for future studies on RVF vaccine development, including next-generation vaccines that show promise in combating the disease in both humans and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cigdem Alkan
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Eduardo Jurado-Cobena
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Tetsuro Ikegami
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
- The Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
- The Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
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4
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Hartman AL, Myler PJ. Bunyavirales: Scientific Gaps and Prototype Pathogens for a Large and Diverse Group of Zoonotic Viruses. J Infect Dis 2023; 228:S376-S389. [PMID: 37849397 PMCID: PMC10582323 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiac338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Research directed at select prototype pathogens is part of the approach put forth by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) to prepare for future pandemics caused by emerging viruses. We were tasked with identifying suitable prototypes for four virus families of the Bunyavirales order (Phenuiviridae, Peribunyaviridae, Nairoviridae, and Hantaviridae). This is a challenge due to the breadth and diversity of these viral groups. While there are many differences among the Bunyavirales, they generally have complex ecological life cycles, segmented genomes, and cause a range of human clinical outcomes from mild to severe and even death. Here, we delineate potential prototype species that encompass the breadth of clinical outcomes of a given family, have existing reverse genetics tools or animal disease models, and can be amenable to a platform approach to vaccine testing. Suggested prototype pathogens outlined here can serve as a starting point for further discussions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L Hartman
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Peter J Myler
- Department of Pediatrics and the Department of Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
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5
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Nair N, Osterhaus ADME, Rimmelzwaan GF, Prajeeth CK. Rift Valley Fever Virus-Infection, Pathogenesis and Host Immune Responses. Pathogens 2023; 12:1174. [PMID: 37764982 PMCID: PMC10535968 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12091174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Rift Valley Fever Virus is a mosquito-borne phlebovirus causing febrile or haemorrhagic illness in ruminants and humans. The virus can prevent the induction of the antiviral interferon response through its NSs proteins. Mutations in the NSs gene may allow the induction of innate proinflammatory immune responses and lead to attenuation of the virus. Upon infection, virus-specific antibodies and T cells are induced that may afford protection against subsequent infections. Thus, all arms of the adaptive immune system contribute to prevention of disease progression. These findings will aid the design of vaccines using the currently available platforms. Vaccine candidates have shown promise in safety and efficacy trials in susceptible animal species and these may contribute to the control of RVFV infections and prevention of disease progression in humans and ruminants.
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Wichgers Schreur PJ, Bird BH, Ikegami T, Bermúdez-Méndez E, Kortekaas J. Perspectives of Next-Generation Live-Attenuated Rift Valley Fever Vaccines for Animal and Human Use. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11030707. [PMID: 36992291 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11030707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Live-attenuated Rift Valley fever (RVF) vaccines transiently replicate in the vaccinated host, thereby effectively initiating an innate and adaptive immune response. Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV)-specific neutralizing antibodies are considered the main correlate of protection. Vaccination with classical live-attenuated RVF vaccines during gestation in livestock has been associated with fetal malformations, stillbirths, and fetal demise. Facilitated by an increased understanding of the RVFV infection and replication cycle and availability of reverse genetics systems, novel rationally-designed live-attenuated candidate RVF vaccines with improved safety profiles have been developed. Several of these experimental vaccines are currently advancing beyond the proof-of-concept phase and are being evaluated for application in both animals and humans. We here provide perspectives on some of these next-generation live-attenuated RVF vaccines and highlight the opportunities and challenges of these approaches to improve global health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Wichgers Schreur
- Department of Virology and Molecular Biology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Wageningen University & Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands
- BunyaVax B.V., 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Brian H Bird
- One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Tetsuro Ikegami
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- The Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- The Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Erick Bermúdez-Méndez
- Department of Virology and Molecular Biology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Wageningen University & Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Kortekaas
- Department of Virology and Molecular Biology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Wageningen University & Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
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7
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Hao M, Bian T, Fu G, Chen Y, Fang T, Zhao C, Liu S, Yu C, Li J, Chen W. An adenovirus-vectored RVF vaccine confers complete protection against lethal RVFV challenge in A129 mice. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1114226. [PMID: 36925463 PMCID: PMC10011166 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1114226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Instruction: Rift valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-transmitted bunyavirus that causes severe disease in animals and humans. Nevertheless, there are no vaccines applied to prevent RVFV infection for human at present. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a safe and effective RVFV vaccine. Methods: We generated Ad5-GnGcopt, a replication-deficient recombinant Ad5 vector (human adenovirus serotype 5) expressing codon-optimized RVFV glycoproteins Gn and Gc, and evaluated its immunogenicity and protective efficacy in mice. Results and Discussion: Intramuscular immunization of Ad5-GnGcopt in mice induces strong and durable antibody production and robust cellular immune responses. Additionally, a single vaccination with Ad5-GnGcopt vaccination can completely protect interferon-α/β receptor-deficient A129 mice from lethal RVFV infection. Our work indicates that Ad5-GnGcopt might represent a potential vaccine candidate against RVFV. However, further research is needed, first to confirm its efficacy in a natural animal host, and ultimately escalate as a potential vaccine candidate for humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Hao
- Vaccine and Antibody Engineer Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Bian
- Vaccine and Antibody Engineer Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Guangcheng Fu
- Vaccine and Antibody Engineer Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Chen
- Vaccine and Antibody Engineer Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Fang
- Vaccine and Antibody Engineer Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Chuanyi Zhao
- Vaccine and Antibody Engineer Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Shuling Liu
- Vaccine and Antibody Engineer Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Changming Yu
- Vaccine and Antibody Engineer Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Jianmin Li
- Vaccine and Antibody Engineer Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China.,Frontier Biotechnology Laboratory, Zhejiang University-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Vaccine and Antibody Engineer Laboratory, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
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8
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Morrill JC, Peters CJ, Bettinger GE, Palermo PM, Smith DR, Watts DM. Rift Valley fever MP-12 vaccine elicits an early protective immune response in mice. Vaccine 2022; 40:7255-7261. [PMID: 36333222 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.10.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is an important mosquito-borne pathogen that causes outbreaks of severe disease in people and livestock throughout Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. The development of an effective veterinary and human vaccine to protect against Rift Valley fever (RVF) disease remains a high priority. The live attenuated RVFV MP-12 is a promising vaccine candidate for the prevention of RVF in both human and domestic ruminants. The aim of this study was to determine the onset of protective immunity elicted in mice by a single dose of this vaccine. Groups of CD-1 mice were vaccinated intraperitoneally with RVFV MP-12 vaccine and challenged on days 2, 5, 6 and 7 post-vaccination (PV) with a lethal dose of virulent RVFV. The mice were observed once daily for terminal morbidity and blood samples were obtained from the retro-orbital sinus complex on days 23 and 28 PV of surviving mice to determine RVFV neutralizing antibody titers. In one test, 2 of 3 mice challenged on day 2 PV survived and all 3 mice challenged at days 5 and 7 PV also survived. A second test of 10 mice per group was performed, and half (5) of those challenged at day 2 PV survived while all (10) survived challenge at day 4 and 6 PV. All surviving animals develop antibody that ranged from 1:80 to 1:1,280 PV. In a separate experiment, RVFV MP-12 vaccinated CD-1 mice, but not challenged developed a low viremia for the first 3 days PV and neutralzing antibody was detected on days 5 through day 28 PV. These findings demonstrated that the RVFV MP-12 vaccine elicited a rapid protective immune response in mice as early as 2 days PV, thus further supporting the effectiveness of this vaccine candidate for preventing RVF among humans and domestic ruminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Morrill
- Departmentof Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, TX 77555, United States.
| | - C J Peters
- Departments of Microbiology & Immunology and Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, TX 77555, United States.
| | - G E Bettinger
- Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, United States
| | - P M Palermo
- Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, United States.
| | - D R Smith
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Naval Medical Research Center, Biological Defense Research Directorate, Fort Detrick, MD 21702, United States.
| | - D M Watts
- Dept. of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, United States.
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9
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Evaluations of rationally designed rift valley fever vaccine candidate RVax-1 in mosquito and rodent models. NPJ Vaccines 2022; 7:109. [PMID: 36131104 PMCID: PMC9492667 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-022-00536-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne zoonosis endemic to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, which causes large outbreaks among humans and ruminants. Single dose vaccinations using live-attenuated RVF virus (RVFV) support effective prevention of viral spread in endemic countries. Due to the segmented nature of RVFV genomic RNA, segments of vaccine strain-derived genomic RNA could be incorporated into wild-type RVFV within co-infected mosquitoes or animals. Rationally designed vaccine candidate RVax-1 displays protective epitopes fully identical to the previously characterized MP-12 vaccine. Additionally, all genome segments of RVax-1 contribute to the attenuation phenotype, which prevents the formation of pathogenic reassortant strains. This study demonstrated that RVax-1 cannot replicate efficiently in orally fed Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, while retaining strong immunogenicity and protective efficacy in an inbred mouse model, which were indistinguishable from the MP-12 vaccine. These findings support further development of RVax-1 as the next generation MP-12-based vaccine for prevention of Rift Valley fever in humans and animals.
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10
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Borrego B, Moreno S, López-Valiñas Á, de la Losa N, Weber F, Núñez JI, Brun A. Identification of Single Amino Acid Changes in the Rift Valley Fever Virus Polymerase Core Domain Contributing to Virus Attenuation In Vivo. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:875539. [PMID: 35573791 PMCID: PMC9096444 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.875539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an arboviral zoonotic disease affecting many African countries with the potential to spread to other geographical areas. RVF affects sheep, goats, cattle and camels, causing a high rate of abortions and death of newborn lambs. Also, humans can be infected, developing a usually self-limiting disease that can turn into a more severe illness in a low percentage of cases. Although different veterinary vaccines are available in endemic areas in Africa, to date no human vaccine has been licensed. In previous works, we described the selection and characterization of a favipiravir-mutagenized RVFV variant, termed 40Fp8, with potential as a RVF vaccine candidate due to the strong attenuation shown in immunocompromised animal models. Compared to the parental South African 56/74 viral strain, 40Fp8 displayed 7 amino acid substitutions in the L-protein, three of them located in the central region corresponding to the catalytic core of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). In this work, by means of a reverse genetics system, we have analyzed the effect on virulence of these amino acid changes, alone or combined, both in vitro and in vivo. We found that the simultaneous introduction of two changes (G924S and A1303T) in the heterologous ZH548-RVFV Egyptian strain conferred attenuated phenotypes to the rescued viruses as shown in infected mice without affecting virus immunogenicity. Our results suggest that both changes induce resistance to favipiravir likely associated to some fitness cost that could be the basis for the observed attenuation in vivo. Conversely, the third change, I1050V, appears to be a compensatory mutation increasing viral fitness. Altogether, these results provide relevant information for the safety improvement of novel live attenuated RVFV vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belén Borrego
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal, CISA (Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (INIA/CSIC)), Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Belén Borrego, ; Alejandro Brun,
| | - Sandra Moreno
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal, CISA (Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (INIA/CSIC)), Madrid, Spain
| | - Álvaro López-Valiñas
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA) Institut de Recerca en Tecnologies Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nuria de la Losa
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal, CISA (Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (INIA/CSIC)), Madrid, Spain
| | - Friedemann Weber
- Institut für Virologie, FB10-Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - José Ignacio Núñez
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA) Institut de Recerca en Tecnologies Agroalimentàries (IRTA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alejandro Brun
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal, CISA (Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria/Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (INIA/CSIC)), Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Belén Borrego, ; Alejandro Brun,
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Preliminary Evaluation of a Recombinant Rift Valley Fever Virus Glycoprotein Subunit Vaccine Providing Full Protection against Heterologous Virulent Challenge in Cattle. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9070748. [PMID: 34358166 PMCID: PMC8310273 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9070748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic pathogen that causes periodic outbreaks of abortion in ruminant species and hemorrhagic disease in humans in sub-Saharan Africa. These outbreaks have a significant impact on veterinary and public health. Its introduction to the Arabian Peninsula in 2003 raised concerns of further spread of this transboundary pathogen to non-endemic areas. These concerns are supported by the presence of competent vectors in many non-endemic countries. There is no licensed RVF vaccine available for humans and only a conditionally licensed veterinary vaccine available in the United States. Currently employed modified live attenuated virus vaccines in endemic countries lack the ability for differentiating infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA). Previously, the efficacy of a recombinant subunit vaccine based on the RVFV Gn and Gc glycoproteins, derived from the 1977 human RVFV isolate ZH548, was demonstrated in sheep. In the current study, cattle were vaccinated subcutaneously with the Gn only, or Gn and Gc combined, with either one or two doses of the vaccine and then subjected to heterologous virus challenge with the virulent Kenya-128B-15 RVFV strain, isolated from Aedes mosquitoes in 2006. The elicited immune responses by some vaccine formulations (one or two vaccinations) conferred complete protection from RVF within 35 days after the first vaccination. Vaccines given 35 days prior to RVFV challenge prevented viremia, fever and RVFV-associated histopathological lesions. This study indicates that a recombinant RVFV glycoprotein-based subunit vaccine platform is able to prevent and control RVFV infections in target animals.
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12
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Rift Valley Fever: a Threat to Pregnant Women Hiding in Plain Sight? J Virol 2021; 95:JVI.01394-19. [PMID: 33597209 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01394-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The potential for emerging mosquito-borne viruses to cause fetal infection in pregnant women was overlooked until the Zika fever outbreak several years ago. Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is an emerging arbovirus with a long history of fetal infection and death in pregnant livestock. The effect of RVFV infection on pregnant women is not well understood. This Gem examines the effects that this important emerging pathogen has during pregnancy, its potential impact on pregnant women, and the current research efforts designed to understand and mitigate adverse effects of RVFV infection during pregnancy.
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13
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Chapman NS, Zhao H, Kose N, Westover JB, Kalveram B, Bombardi R, Rodriguez J, Sutton R, Genualdi J, LaBeaud AD, Mutuku FM, Pittman PR, Freiberg AN, Gowen BB, Fremont DH, Crowe JE. Potent neutralization of Rift Valley fever virus by human monoclonal antibodies through fusion inhibition. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2025642118. [PMID: 33782133 PMCID: PMC8040655 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2025642118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), an emerging arboviral and zoonotic bunyavirus, causes severe disease in livestock and humans. Here, we report the isolation of a panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from the B cells of immune individuals following natural infection in Kenya or immunization with MP-12 vaccine. The B cell responses of individuals who were vaccinated or naturally infected recognized similar epitopes on both Gc and Gn proteins. The Gn-specific mAbs and two mAbs that do not recognize either monomeric Gc or Gn alone but recognized the hetero-oligomer glycoprotein complex (Gc+Gn) when Gc and Gn were coexpressed exhibited potent neutralizing activities in vitro, while Gc-specific mAbs exhibited relatively lower neutralizing capacity. The two Gc+Gn-specific mAbs and the Gn domain A-specific mAbs inhibited RVFV fusion to cells, suggesting that mAbs can inhibit the exposure of the fusion loop in Gc, a class II fusion protein, and thus prevent fusion by an indirect mechanism without direct fusion loop contact. Competition-binding analysis with coexpressed Gc/Gn and mutagenesis library screening indicated that these mAbs recognize four major antigenic sites, with two sites of vulnerability for neutralization on Gn. In experimental models of infection in mice, representative mAbs recognizing three of the antigenic sites reduced morbidity and mortality when used at a low dose in both prophylactic and therapeutic settings. This study identifies multiple candidate mAbs that may be suitable for use in humans against RVFV infection and highlights fusion inhibition against bunyaviruses as a potential contributor to potent antibody-mediated neutralization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel S Chapman
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232
- The Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232
| | - Haiyan Zhao
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Nurgun Kose
- The Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232
| | - Jonna B Westover
- Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322
| | - Birte Kalveram
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555
| | - Robin Bombardi
- The Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232
| | - Jessica Rodriguez
- The Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232
| | - Rachel Sutton
- The Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232
| | - Joseph Genualdi
- The Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232
| | - A Desiree LaBeaud
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Francis M Mutuku
- Department of Environment and Health Sciences, Technical University of Mombasa, Mombasa, Kenya
| | - Phillip R Pittman
- Medical Research and Material Command, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, MD 21702
| | - Alexander N Freiberg
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555
- Sealy Institute for Vaccine Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555
| | - Brian B Gowen
- Department of Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322
| | - Daved H Fremont
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - James E Crowe
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232;
- The Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232
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14
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Development of a Simian RNA Polymerase I Promoter-Driven Reverse Genetics for the Rescue of Recombinant Rift Valley Fever Virus from Vero Cells. J Virol 2021; 95:JVI.02004-20. [PMID: 33441343 PMCID: PMC8092696 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02004-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Rift Valley fever (RVF), which has been designated as a priority disease by the World Health Organization (WHO), is one of the most pathogenic zoonotic diseases endemic to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Human vaccine preparation requires the use of appropriate cell substrates to support efficient production of seed vaccine with minimum concerns of tumorigenicity, oncogenicity, or adventitious agents. Vero cells, which were derived from the African green monkey kidney, represent one of the few mammalian cell lines that are used for vaccine manufacturing. This study demonstrated the rescue of RVFV MP-12 infectious clones in Vero cells using plasmids encoding the Macaca mulatta RNA polymerase I promoter. Although Vero cells demonstrated an approximately 20% transfection efficiency, only 0.5% of transfected cells showed the replication of viral genomic RNA, supported by the co-expression of RVFV N and L helper proteins. RVFV Infectious clones were detectable in the culture supernatants approximately 4 to 9 days posttransfection reaching maximum titers during the following 5 days. The re-amplification of rescued recombinant MP-12 (rMP-12) in Vero cells led to an increase in the genetic subpopulations, affecting the viral phenotype via amino acid substitutions in the NSs gene, whereas the rMP-12 re-amplified in human diploid MRC-5 cells did not increase viral sub-populations with NSs gene mutations. The strategy in which RVFV infectious clones are rescued in Vero cells and then subsequently amplified in MRC-5 cells will support the vaccine seed lot systems of live-attenuated recombinant RVFV vaccines for human use.IMPORTANCE RVF is a mosquito-transmitted, viral, zoonotic disease endemic to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, and its spread outside of the endemic area will potentially cause devastating economic damages and serious public health problems. Different from classical live-attenuated vaccines, live-attenuated recombinant vaccines allow rational improvement of vaccine production efficiency, protective efficacy, and vaccine safety via the genetic engineering. This study demonstrated the generation of infectious Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus from cloned cDNA using Vero cells, which are one of a few mammalian cell lines used for vaccine manufacturing. Subsequent re-amplification of virus clones in Vero cells unexpectedly increased viral subpopulations encoding unfavorable mutations, whereas viral re-amplification in human diploid MRC-5 cells could minimize the emergence of such mutants. Rescue of recombinant RVFV from Vero cells and re-amplification in MRC-5 cells will support the vaccine seed lot systems of live-attenuated recombinant RVFV vaccines for human use.
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15
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Borrego B, Brun A. A Hyper-Attenuated Variant of Rift Valley Fever Virus Generated by a Mutagenic Drug (Favipiravir) Unveils Potential Virulence Markers. Front Microbiol 2021; 11:621463. [PMID: 33633696 PMCID: PMC7900410 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.621463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-borne bunyavirus that causes Rift Valley fever (RVF), a zoonotic disease of wild and domestic ruminants, causing serious economic losses and a threat to human health that could be controlled by vaccination. Though RVF vaccines are available for livestock, no RVF vaccines have been licensed for veterinary use in non-endemic countries nor for human populations in RVF risk areas. In a recent work, we showed that favipiravir, a promising drug with antiviral activity against a number of RNA viruses, led to the extinction of RVFV from infected cell cultures. Nevertheless, certain drug concentrations allowed the recovery of a virus variant showing increased resistance to favipiravir. In this work, we characterized this novel resistant variant both at genomic and phenotypic level in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, the resistant virus displayed reduced growth rates in C6/36 insect cells but not in mammalian cell lines, and was highly attenuated but still immunogenic in vivo. Some amino acid substitutions were identified in the viral RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase (RdRp) gene and in the virus encoded type I-interferon (IFN-I) antagonist NSs gene, in catalytic core motifs and nuclear localization associated positions, respectively. These data may help to characterize novel potential virulence markers, offering additional strategies for further safety improvements of RVF live attenuated vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alejandro Brun
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA), Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Madrid, Spain
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16
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Boumart Z, Bamouh Z, Hamdi J, Safini N, Tadlaoui K, Bettinger G, Watts D, Elharrak M. Safety and immunogenicity of the Rift Valley fever arMP-12 ΔNSm21/384 candidate vaccine in pregnant ewes. Vaccine X 2020; 6:100070. [PMID: 32793877 PMCID: PMC7415414 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvacx.2020.100070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rift Valley fever virus causes abortion, teratogenicity and mortality in domestic ruminants. Safety and immunogenicity RVFV arMP-12ΔNSm21/384 vaccine was determined in pregnant ewes. Vaccine was safe and immunogenic last stages of pregnancy, but may caused malformed lambs early stage. Pregnant sheep should not be vaccinated with the RVFV vaccine during the first month of gestation.
Rift Valley fever (RVF) poses a threat to human and animal health as well as economic losses due to abortion, new-born teratogenic effect and mortality. Safe and effective vaccines are critically needed to prevent the disease in humans and livestock. The objective of this study was to assess safety and immunogenicity of the Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) arMP-12DNSm21/384 attenuated vaccine in 32 pregnant ewes at different stages of pregnancy including 17 ewes vaccinated during the early stage (G1) of pregnancy (<35 days) and 15 ewes vaccinated during the last two stages (G2) of pregnancy (>35 days). Ewes were monitored for clinical observations, rectal temperature and abortions and lambs were monitored for general health and rectal temperature. Vaccinated ewes and lambs were periodically sampled for their neutralizing antibody response to RVFV vaccination. All ewes were positive for antibody two weeks post-vaccination and 79% of ewes were positive at delivery. None of the 32 ewes aborted during pregnancy and all ewes vaccinated during the G2 stages of pregnancy gave birth to healthy lambs. However, among the 17 ewes vaccinated during the G1 stage of pregnancy, 2 ewes gave birth to 2 lambs with fore limb malformations that died at 1-day of age. One ewe gave birth to 2 punny twins that died at 2 days of age. Another ewe, gave birth to one lamb with a deformed tail that died at 20 days of age. At post-mortem, tissues of dead lambs (spleen, lung, brain and long bone) were negative for RVFV by PCR assay. While the findings did not link the malformed lambs directly to infection by the vaccine virus, these results indicated that pregnant sheep should not be vaccinated with the RVFV arMP-12DNSm21/384 vaccine during the first month of gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z. Boumart
- Research and Development Dept., Multi-Chemical Industry, Lot. 157, Z I, Sud-Ouest (ERAC) B.P.: 278, Mohammedia 28810, Morocco
| | - Z. Bamouh
- Research and Development Dept., Multi-Chemical Industry, Lot. 157, Z I, Sud-Ouest (ERAC) B.P.: 278, Mohammedia 28810, Morocco
| | - J. Hamdi
- Research and Development Dept., Multi-Chemical Industry, Lot. 157, Z I, Sud-Ouest (ERAC) B.P.: 278, Mohammedia 28810, Morocco
| | - N. Safini
- Research and Development Dept., Multi-Chemical Industry, Lot. 157, Z I, Sud-Ouest (ERAC) B.P.: 278, Mohammedia 28810, Morocco
| | - K.O. Tadlaoui
- Research and Development Dept., Multi-Chemical Industry, Lot. 157, Z I, Sud-Ouest (ERAC) B.P.: 278, Mohammedia 28810, Morocco
| | - G. Bettinger
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, United States
| | - D.M. Watts
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, United States
- Corresponding author.
| | - M. Elharrak
- Research and Development Dept., Multi-Chemical Industry, Lot. 157, Z I, Sud-Ouest (ERAC) B.P.: 278, Mohammedia 28810, Morocco
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17
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Wright D, Allen ER, Clark MH, Gitonga JN, Karanja HK, Hulswit RJ, Taylor I, Biswas S, Marshall J, Mwololo D, Muriuki J, Bett B, Bowden TA, Warimwe GM. Naturally Acquired Rift Valley Fever Virus Neutralizing Antibodies Predominantly Target the Gn Glycoprotein. iScience 2020; 23:101669. [PMID: 33134899 PMCID: PMC7588868 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a viral hemorrhagic disease first discovered in Kenya in 1930. Numerous animal studies have demonstrated that protective immunity is acquired following RVF virus (RVFV) infection and that this correlates with acquisition of virus-neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) that target the viral envelope glycoproteins. However, naturally acquired immunity to RVF in humans is poorly described. Here, we characterized the immune response to the viral envelope glycoproteins, Gn and Gc, in RVFV-exposed Kenyan adults. Long-lived IgG (dominated by IgG1 subclass) and T cell responses were detected against both Gn and Gc. However, antigen-specific antibody depletion experiments showed that Gn-specific antibodies dominate the RVFV nAb response. IgG avidity against Gn, but not Gc, correlated with nAb titers. These data are consistent with the greater level of immune accessibility of Gn on the viral envelope surface and confirm the importance of Gn as an integral component for RVF vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Wright
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, CGMRC, PO Box 230-80108, Kilifi, Kenya
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Elizabeth R. Allen
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Division of Structural Biology, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | | | - John N. Gitonga
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, CGMRC, PO Box 230-80108, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Henry K. Karanja
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, CGMRC, PO Box 230-80108, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Ruben J.G. Hulswit
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Division of Structural Biology, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Iona Taylor
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Sumi Biswas
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | | | - Damaris Mwololo
- International Livestock Research Institute, PO Box 30709, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
| | - John Muriuki
- International Livestock Research Institute, PO Box 30709, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
| | - Bernard Bett
- International Livestock Research Institute, PO Box 30709, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
| | - Thomas A. Bowden
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Division of Structural Biology, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - George M. Warimwe
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, CGMRC, PO Box 230-80108, Kilifi, Kenya
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK
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18
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Grossi-Soyster EN, LaBeaud AD. Rift Valley Fever: Important Considerations for Risk Mitigation and Future Outbreaks. Trop Med Infect Dis 2020; 5:tropicalmed5020089. [PMID: 32498264 PMCID: PMC7345646 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed5020089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a zoonotic phlebovirus of the Phenuiviridae family with great opportunity for emergence in previously unaffected regions, despite its current geographical limits. Outbreaks of RVFV often infect humans or domesticated animals, such as livestock, concurrently and occur sporadically, ranging from localized outbreaks in villages to multi-country events that spread rapidly. The true burden of Rift Valley fever (RVF) is not well defined due to underreporting, misdiagnosis caused by the broad spectrum of disease presentation, and minimal access for rapid and accurate laboratory confirmation. Severe symptoms may include hemorrhagic fever, loss of vision, psychological impairment or disturbances, and organ failure. Those living in endemic areas and travelers should be aware of the potential for exposure to ongoing outbreaks or interepidemic transmission, and engage in behaviors to minimize exposure risks, as vaccinations in humans are currently unavailable and animal vaccinations are not used routinely or ubiquitously. The lack of vaccines approved for use in humans is concerning, as RVFV has proven to be highly pathogenic in naïve populations, causing severe disease in a large percent of confirmed cases, which could have considerable impact on human health.
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19
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Monath TP, Kortekaas J, Watts DM, Christofferson RC, Desiree LaBeaud A, Gowen B, Peters CJ, Smith DR, Swanepoel R, Morrill JC, Ksiazek TG, Pittman PR, Bird BH, Bettinger G. Theoretical risk of genetic reassortment should not impede development of live, attenuated Rift Valley fever (RVF) vaccines commentary on the draft WHO RVF Target Product Profile. Vaccine X 2020; 5:100060. [PMID: 32337506 PMCID: PMC7176985 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvacx.2020.100060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
WHO published draft Target Product Profiles (TPPs) for Rift Valley Fever virus (RVFV) vaccines. The TPPs contain restrictive requirements aimed at reducing the risk of genetic reassortment. We find no evidence for reassortment despite use of live RVFV vaccines. If genetic reassortment occurred with wild-type RVFV it would be of no consequence. The hypothetical risks of reassortment do not outweigh the benefits of vaccination
In November 2019, The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a draft set of Target Product Profiles (TPPs) describing optimal and minimally acceptable targets for vaccines against Rift Valley fever (RVF), a Phlebovirus with a three segmented genome, in both humans and ruminants. The TPPs contained rigid requirements to protect against genomic reassortment of live, attenuated vaccines (LAVs) with wild-type RVF virus (RVFV), which place undue constraints on development and regulatory approval of LAVs. We review the current LAVs in use and in development, and conclude that there is no evidence that reassortment between LAVs and wild-type RVFV has occurred during field use, that such a reassortment event if it occurred would have no untoward consequence, and that the TPPs should be revised to provide a more balanced assessment of the benefits versus the theoretical risks of reassortment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas P Monath
- Managing Partner and Chief Scientific Officer, Crozet BioPharma LLC, Devens, MA, USA
| | - Jeroen Kortekaas
- Professor of Veterinary Arbovirology, Department of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, the Netherlands
| | - Douglas M Watts
- Executive Director of Vet Services, and Director of Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory and Co-Director of BBRC Infectious Disease and Immunology, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
| | - Rebecca C Christofferson
- Pathobiological Sciences, Louisiana State University, School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Angelle Desiree LaBeaud
- Professor of Pediatrics (Infectious Diseases), Stanford University School of Medicine, Senior Fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment and Professor of Health Research and Policy (Epidemiology) at the Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Clarence J Peters
- Professor (Emeritus) Departments of Microbiology & Immunology and Pathology Director (Emeritus) for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Darci R Smith
- Immunodiagnostics Department, Naval Medical Research Center, Biological Defense Research Directorate, Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Robert Swanepoel
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - John C Morrill
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Thomas G Ksiazek
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Phillip R Pittman
- U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Medical Research and Materiel Command, Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Brian H Bird
- 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, GA, USA.,University of California, Davis, One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis 956164, CA, USA
| | - George Bettinger
- USAID Rift Valley Fever Vaccine Project at The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, USA
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20
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Stedman A, Wright D, Wichgers Schreur PJ, Clark MHA, Hill AVS, Gilbert SC, Francis MJ, van Keulen L, Kortekaas J, Charleston B, Warimwe GM. Safety and efficacy of ChAdOx1 RVF vaccine against Rift Valley fever in pregnant sheep and goats. NPJ Vaccines 2019; 4:44. [PMID: 31646004 PMCID: PMC6802222 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-019-0138-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a zoonotic mosquito-borne virus that was first discovered in Kenya in 1930 and has since spread to become endemic in much of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Rift Valley fever (RVF) causes recurrent outbreaks of febrile illness associated with high levels of mortality and poor outcomes during pregnancy-including foetal malformations, spontaneous abortion and stillbirths-in livestock, and associated with miscarriage in humans. No vaccines are available for human use and those licensed for veterinary use have potential drawbacks, including residual virulence that may contraindicate their use in pregnancy. To address this gap, we previously developed a simian adenovirus vectored vaccine, ChAdOx1 RVF, that encodes RVFV envelope glycoproteins. ChAdOx1 RVF is fully protective against RVF in non-pregnant livestock and is also under development for human use. Here, we now demonstrate that when administered to pregnant sheep and goats, ChAdOx1 RVF is safe, elicits high titre RVFV neutralizing antibody, and provides protection against viraemia and foetal loss, although this protection is not as robust for the goats. In addition, we provide a description of RVFV challenge in pregnant goats and contrast this to the pathology observed in pregnant sheep. Together, our data further support the ongoing development of ChAdOx1 RVF vaccine for use in livestock and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Stedman
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Surrey GU24 0NF UK
| | - Daniel Wright
- The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ UK
| | | | - Madeleine H. A. Clark
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Surrey GU24 0NF UK
- The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ UK
| | - Adrian V. S. Hill
- The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ UK
| | - Sarah C. Gilbert
- The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ UK
| | - Michael J. Francis
- BioVacc Consulting Ltd, The Red House, 10 Market Square, Amersham, HP7 0DQ UK
| | - Lucien van Keulen
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Houtribweg 39, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Kortekaas
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Houtribweg 39, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Bryan Charleston
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Surrey GU24 0NF UK
| | - George M. Warimwe
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, NDM Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7FZ UK
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, P.O. Box 230, Kilifi, 80108 Kenya
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21
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Noad RJ, Simpson K, Fooks AR, Hewson R, Gilbert SC, Stevens MP, Hosie MJ, Prior J, Kinsey AM, Entrican G, Simpson A, Whitty CJM, Carroll MW. UK vaccines network: Mapping priority pathogens of epidemic potential and vaccine pipeline developments. Vaccine 2019; 37:6241-6247. [PMID: 31522809 PMCID: PMC7127063 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 09/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
During the 2013-2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa an expert panel was established on the instructions of the UK Prime Minister to identify priority pathogens for outbreak diseases that had the potential to cause future epidemics. A total of 13 priority pathogens were identified, which led to the prioritisation of spending in emerging diseases vaccine research and development from the UK. This meeting report summarises the process used to develop the UK pathogen priority list, compares it to lists generated by other organisations (World Health Organisation, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) and summarises clinical progress towards the development of vaccines against priority diseases. There is clear technical progress towards the development of vaccines. However, the availability of these vaccines will be dependent on sustained funding for clinical trials and the preparation of clinically acceptable manufactured material during inter-epidemic periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rob J Noad
- Pathobiology and Population Science, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK.
| | - Karl Simpson
- JKS Bioscience Ltd, 2 Midanbury Court, 44 Midanbury Lane, Southampton SO18 4HF, UK.
| | | | - Roger Hewson
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Sarah C Gilbert
- Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK.
| | - Mark P Stevens
- The Roslin Institute & Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK.
| | - Margaret J Hosie
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, College of Veterinary, Medical and Life Sciences, Garscube Estate, Bearsden, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK.
| | - Joann Prior
- CBR Division, Dstl Porton Down, Wiltshire SP3 4DZ, UK.
| | - Anna M Kinsey
- Medical Research Council, One Kemble Street, London WC2B 4AN, UK.
| | - Gary Entrican
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Near Edinburgh, Scotland EH26 0PZ, UK.
| | - Andrew Simpson
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, UK.
| | | | - Miles W Carroll
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JG, UK.
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22
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Abstract
Introduction: Rift Valley fever (RVF) outbreaks can cause devastating economic loss and public health concerns. RVF virus (RVFV: genus Phlebovirus family Phenuiviridae) is transmitted by mosquitoes, causes abortion in sheep, cattle, and goats, and severe diseases in humans including hemorrhagic fever, encephalitis, or retinitis. RVFV has spread from sub-Saharan Africa into Madagascar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.Area covered: There are a few licensed veterinary RVF vaccines in endemic countries, whereas no licensed RVF vaccines are available for human use. There are two Investigational New Drug (IND) RVF candidate vaccines used in clinical trials. This review will discuss the development of two IND vaccines for RVF over the past 20-40 years, and further innovation for future RVF vaccines applicable for the use in endemic areas.Expert opinion: Vaccination for human RVF can protect at-risk personnel against severe RVF illness. Formalin-inactivated RVF candidate vaccine requires three doses to induce protective immunity, whereas the live-attenuated MP-12 candidate vaccine retains strong immunogenicity. Further innovation in safety, immunogenicity, and thermostability will facilitate future RVF vaccines for humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuro Ikegami
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
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23
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Williamson ED, Westlake GE. Vaccines for emerging pathogens: prospects for licensure. Clin Exp Immunol 2019; 198:170-183. [PMID: 30972733 PMCID: PMC6797873 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, there are a number of emerging pathogens. For most, there are no licensed vaccines available for human use, although there is ongoing research and development. However, given the extensive and increasing list of emerging pathogens and the investment required to bring vaccines into clinical use, the task is huge. Overlaid on this task is the risk of anti‐microbial resistance (AMR) acquisition by micro‐organisms which can endow a relatively harmless organism with pathogenic potential. Furthermore, climate change also introduces a challenge by causing some of the insect vectors and environmental conditions prevalent in tropical regions to begin to spread out from these traditional areas, thus increasing the risk of migration of zoonotic disease. Vaccination provides a defence against these emerging pathogens. However, vaccines for pathogens which cause severe, but occasional, disease outbreaks in endemic pockets have suffered from a lack of commercial incentive for development to a clinical standard, encompassing Phase III clinical trials for efficacy. An alternative is to develop such vaccines to request US Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), or equivalent status in the United States, Canada and the European Union, making use of a considerable number of regulatory mechanisms that are available prior to licensing. This review covers the status of vaccine development for some of the emerging pathogens, the hurdles that need to be overcome to achieve EUA or an equivalent regional or national status and how these considerations may impact vaccine development for the future, such that a more comprehensive stockpile of promising vaccines can be achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- E D Williamson
- CBR Division, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK
| | - G E Westlake
- CBR Division, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK
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24
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Boumart Z, Daouam S, Bamouh Z, Jazouli M, Tadlaoui KO, Dungu B, Bettinger G, Watts DM, Elharrak M. Safety and immunogenicity of a live attenuated Rift Valley Fever recombinant arMP-12ΔNSm21/384 vaccine candidate for sheep, goats and calves. Vaccine 2019; 37:1642-1650. [PMID: 30773401 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.01.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Rift Valley fever (RVF) causes serious health and economic losses to the livestock industry as well as a significant cause of human disease. The prevention of RVF in Africa is a global priority, however, available vaccines have only been partially effective. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a live, attenuated recombinant RVFV arMP-12ΔNSm21/384 nucleotide deletion vaccine candidate in domestic ruminants. Evaluation involved testing to determine the infectivity titer of the vaccine virus in Vero cells for industrial scale up vaccine production. Safety experiments were conducted to determine the potential of the vaccine virus to revert to virulence by serial passages in sheep, the possibility of virus spread from vaccinated sheep and calves to unvaccinated animals, and the potential health effects of administering overdoses of the vaccine to sheep, goats and calves. The immunogenicity of 3 doses of 104, 105 and 106 Tissue Culture Infectious Doses50% (TCID50) of the vaccine was assessed in 3 groups of 10 sheep and 3 groups of 10 goats, and doses of 105, 106 and 107 TCID50 was evaluated in 3 groups of 10 calves subcutaenous vaccintation. The results showed that the infectivity titer of the vaccine virus was 108.4 TCID50/ml, that the vaccine did not spread from vaccinated to un-vaccinated animals, there was no evidence of reversion to virulence in sheep and the vaccine overdoses did not cause any adverse effects. The immunogenicity among sheep, goats and calves indicated that doses of 104-106 TCID50 elicited detectable antibody by day 7 post-vaccination (PV) with antibody titers ranging from 0.6 log to 2.1 log on day 14 PV with sustained titers through day 28 PV. Overall, these findings indicated that the RVFV arMP-12ΔNSm21/384 vaccine is a promising candidate for the prevention of RVF among domestic ruminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Boumart
- Research and Development Dept., Multi-Chemical Industry, Lot. 157, Z I, Sud-Ouest (ERAC) B.P.: 278, Mohammedia 28810, Morocco.
| | - S Daouam
- Research and Development Dept., Multi-Chemical Industry, Lot. 157, Z I, Sud-Ouest (ERAC) B.P.: 278, Mohammedia 28810, Morocco.
| | - Z Bamouh
- Research and Development Dept., Multi-Chemical Industry, Lot. 157, Z I, Sud-Ouest (ERAC) B.P.: 278, Mohammedia 28810, Morocco.
| | - M Jazouli
- Research and Development Dept., Multi-Chemical Industry, Lot. 157, Z I, Sud-Ouest (ERAC) B.P.: 278, Mohammedia 28810, Morocco.
| | - K O Tadlaoui
- Research and Development Dept., Multi-Chemical Industry, Lot. 157, Z I, Sud-Ouest (ERAC) B.P.: 278, Mohammedia 28810, Morocco.
| | - B Dungu
- Research and Development Dept., Multi-Chemical Industry, Lot. 157, Z I, Sud-Ouest (ERAC) B.P.: 278, Mohammedia 28810, Morocco.
| | - G Bettinger
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA.
| | - D M Watts
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA.
| | - M Elharrak
- Research and Development Dept., Multi-Chemical Industry, Lot. 157, Z I, Sud-Ouest (ERAC) B.P.: 278, Mohammedia 28810, Morocco.
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25
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Nyundo S, Adamson E, Rowland J, Palermo PM, Matiko M, Bettinger GE, Wambura P, Morrill JC, Watts DM. Safety and immunogenicity of Rift Valley fever MP-12 and arMP-12ΔNSm21/384 vaccine candidates in goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) from Tanzania. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 86:e1-e8. [PMID: 30843406 PMCID: PMC6407455 DOI: 10.4102/ojvr.v86i1.1683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Revised: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Vaccination of domestic ruminants is considered to be an effective strategy for protecting these animals against Rift Valley fever (RVF), but available vaccines have limitations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the safety and immunogenicity of RVF virus (RVFV) mutagenesis passage 12 (MP-12) and arMP-12ΔNSm21/384 vaccine candidates in goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) in Tanzania. Goats were vaccinated intramuscularly with RVFV MP-12 or arMP-12ΔNSm21/384, and then on Day 87 post-vaccination (PV) all animals were revaccinated using the RVFV MP-12 vaccine candidate. Serum samples were collected from the animals before and after vaccination at various intervals to test for RVFV using a Vero cell culture assay and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and for RVFV-neutralising antibody using a plaque reduction neutralisation assay. Serum samples collected before vaccination on Days -14 and 0, and on Days 3, 4 and 5 PV were negative for RVFV and neutralising antibody. All animals remained healthy, and viremia was not detected in any of the animals. Rift Valley fever virus antibody was first detected on Day 5 PV at a 1:10 dilution in five of five animals vaccinated with the MP-12 vaccine and in five of eight animals vaccinated with arMP-12ΔNSm21/384. Titres then increased and were sustained at 1:40 to 1:640 through to Day 87 PV. All animals that were revaccinated on Day 87 PV with MP-12 developed antibody titres ranging from 1:160 to as high as 1:10 240 on Days 14 and 21 PV. Although the antibody titres for goats vaccinated with RVF MP-12 were slightly higher than titres elicited by the arMP-12ΔNSm21/384 vaccine, these findings demonstrated that both vaccines are promising candidates for the prevention of RVF among Tansanian goats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salama Nyundo
- Department of Microbiology, Parasitology and Biotechnology, Sokoine University of Agriculture.
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Dong F, Li D, Wen D, Li S, Zhao C, Qi Y, Jangra RK, Wu C, Xia D, Zhang X, Deng F, Chandran K, Zou Z, Yuan F, Zheng A. Single dose of a rVSV-based vaccine elicits complete protection against severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus. NPJ Vaccines 2019; 4:5. [PMID: 30701094 PMCID: PMC6347601 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-018-0096-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia virus (SFTSV) is an emerging tick-borne phlebovirus that causes lethal human disease, for which there are no licensed antiviral vaccines or therapies. Herein, we developed a live attenuated recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV)-based vaccine candidate expressing the SFTSV Gn/Gc glycoproteins (rVSV-SFTSV/AH12-GP). High titers of cross-protective, broadly neutralizing antibodies were elicited by a single dose of rVSV-SFTSV/AH12-GP in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised mice against multiple strains of SFTSV and the related but distinct phlebovirus Heartland virus (HRTV). Remarkably, complete protection against lethal challenge with SFTSV was conferred in young and old immunocompromised mice irrespective of any pre-existing vector-specific immunity. Collectively, these results suggest that a rVSV vector expressing SFTSV glycoproteins is a promising candidate vaccine against two emerging phleboviruses associated with severe human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangfang Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dandan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dan Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Suhua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chaoyue Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Rohit K. Jangra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY USA
| | - Cuiping Wu
- Department of Infectious Disease, Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang, Weifang, China
| | - Dequan Xia
- Department of Infectious Disease, Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang, Weifang, China
| | - Xing Zhang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Deng
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Kartik Chandran
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY USA
| | - Zhen Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Yuan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Aihua Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China
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27
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Balkema-Buschmann A, Rissmann M, Kley N, Ulrich R, Eiden M, Groschup MH. Productive Propagation of Rift Valley Fever Phlebovirus Vaccine Strain MP-12 in Rousettus aegyptiacus Fruit Bats. Viruses 2018; 10:v10120681. [PMID: 30513679 PMCID: PMC6315703 DOI: 10.3390/v10120681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Rift Valley fever phlebovirus (RVFV), the causative agent of an emerging zoonotic disease in Africa and Arabia, can infect a variety of species, predominantly ruminants, camelids, and humans. While clinical symptoms are mostly absent in adult ruminants and camelids, RVFV infection may lead to a serious, sometimes fatal disease in humans. Virus transmissions between individuals and between species mainly occur through mosquito bites, but direct or even indirect contact with infectious materials may also result in infection. Although the main reservoir of the virus is not yet identified, small mammals such as rodents and bats may act as amplifying hosts. We therefore inoculated Rousettus aegyptiacus fruit bats that are abundant in northern Africa with the vaccine strain MP-12, in order to elucidate the general competence of this species for virus propagation and transmission. We were able to detect the RVFV genome in the spleen of each of these animals, and re-isolated the virus from the spleen and liver of some animals. Moreover, we were able to identify the Gc RVFV surface antigen in mild subacute multifocal necrotizing hepatic lesions of one bat which was sacrificed 7 days post exposure. These findings demonstrate that Rousettus aegyptiacus fruit bats can propagate RVFV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Balkema-Buschmann
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Melanie Rissmann
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Nils Kley
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Reiner Ulrich
- ²Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Martin Eiden
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Martin H Groschup
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
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28
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Smith DR, Johnston SC, Piper A, Botto M, Donnelly G, Shamblin J, Albariño CG, Hensley LE, Schmaljohn C, Nichol ST, Bird BH. Attenuation and efficacy of live-attenuated Rift Valley fever virus vaccine candidates in non-human primates. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006474. [PMID: 29742102 PMCID: PMC5962102 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is an important mosquito-borne veterinary and human pathogen that has caused large outbreaks of severe disease throughout Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Currently, no licensed vaccine or therapeutics exists to treat this potentially deadly disease. The explosive nature of RVFV outbreaks and the severe consequences of its accidental or intentional introduction into RVFV-free areas provide the impetus for the development of novel vaccine candidates for use in both livestock and humans. Rationally designed vaccine candidates using reverse genetics have been used to develop deletion mutants of two known RVFV virulence factors, the NSs and NSm genes. These recombinant viruses were demonstrated to be protective and immunogenic in rats, mice, and sheep, without producing clinical illness in these animals. Here, we expand upon those findings and evaluate the single deletion mutant (ΔNSs rRVFV) and double deletion mutant (ΔNSs-ΔNSm rRVFV) vaccine candidates in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), a non-human primate (NHP) model resembling severe human RVF disease. We demonstrate that both the ΔNSs and ΔNSs-ΔNSm rRVFV vaccine candidates were found to be safe and immunogenic in the current study. The vaccinated animals received a single dose of vaccine that led to the development of a robust antibody response. No vaccine-induced adverse reactions, signs of clinical illness or infectious virus were detected in the vaccinated marmosets. All vaccinated animals that were subsequently challenged with RVFV were protected against viremia and liver disease. In summary, our results provide the basis for further development of the ΔNSs and ΔNSs-ΔNSm rRVFV as safe and effective human RVFV vaccines for this significant public health threat. Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an important neglected tropical disease that has caused severe epidemics and epizootics throughout Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Severe outbreaks have involved tens of thousands of both human and livestock cases for which no effective, commercially available human vaccines are available. Vaccine candidates have been developed based on the complete deletion of two known RVF virus virulence factors, the NSs and NSm genes. These vaccines were previously demonstrated to be protective in rats, mice, and sheep. In this study, we expand upon those results and evaluate the vaccine candidates in a non-human primate model for RVF. The animals received a single dose of vaccine that led to the development of a robust immune response. No vaccine-induced adverse reactions, signs of clinical illness or infectious virus were detected in the vaccinated animals. All vaccinated animals that were subsequently challenged with RVF virus were protected against viremia and liver disease. These results demonstrate that the vaccines are safe and effective in non-human primates, which provides the impetus for further development of these candidates for use in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darci R. Smith
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, MD, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Sara C. Johnston
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, MD, United States of America
| | - Ashley Piper
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, MD, United States of America
| | - Miriam Botto
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, MD, United States of America
| | - Ginger Donnelly
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, MD, United States of America
| | - Joshua Shamblin
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, MD, United States of America
| | - César G. Albariño
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Lisa E. Hensley
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, MD, United States of America
| | - Connie Schmaljohn
- United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, MD, United States of America
| | - Stuart T. Nichol
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Brian H. Bird
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
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29
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30
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Lokugamage N, Ikegami T. Genetic stability of Rift Valley fever virus MP-12 vaccine during serial passages in culture cells. NPJ Vaccines 2017; 2:20. [PMID: 29167748 PMCID: PMC5627234 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-017-0021-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Revised: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 06/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic disease endemic to Africa which affects both ruminants and humans. RVF causes serious damage to the livestock industry and is also a threat to public health. The Rift Valley fever virus has a segmented negative-stranded RNA genome consisting of Large (L)-, Medium (M)-, and Small (S)-segments. The live-attenuated MP-12 vaccine is immunogenic in livestock and humans, and is conditionally licensed for veterinary use in the U.S. The MP-12 strain encodes 23 mutations (nine amino acid substitutions) and is attenuated through a combination of mutations in the L-, M-, and S-segments. Among them, the M-U795C, M-A3564G, and L-G3104A mutations contribute to viral attenuation through the L- and M-segments. The M-U795C, M-A3564G, L-U533C, and L-G3750A mutations are also independently responsible for temperature-sensitive (ts) phenotype. We hypothesized that a serial passage of the MP-12 vaccine in culture cells causes reversions of the MP-12 genome. The MP-12 vaccine and recombinant rMP12-ΔNSs16/198 were serially passaged 25 times. Droplet digital PCR analysis revealed that the reversion occurred at L-G3750A during passages of MP-12 in Vero or MRC-5 cells. The reversion also occurred at M-A3564G and L-U533C of rMP12-ΔNSs16/198 in Vero cells. Reversion mutations were not found in MP-12 or the variant, rMP12-TOSNSs, in the brains of mice with encephalitis. This study characterized genetic stability of the MP-12 vaccine and the potential risk of reversion mutation at the L-G3750A ts mutation after excessive viral passages in culture cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nandadeva Lokugamage
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555 USA
| | - Tetsuro Ikegami
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555 USA
- The Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555 USA
- The Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555 USA
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Abstract
Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a severe veterinary disease of livestock that also causes moderate to severe illness in people. The life cycle of RVF is complex and involves mosquitoes, livestock, people, and the environment. RVF virus is transmitted from either mosquitoes or farm animals to humans, but is generally not transmitted from person to person. People can develop different diseases after infection, including febrile illness, ocular disease, hemorrhagic fever, or encephalitis. There is a significant risk for emergence of RVF into new locations, which would affect human health and livestock industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Hartman
- Center for Vaccine Research, Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, 3501 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
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32
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Ikegami T. Rift Valley fever vaccines: an overview of the safety and efficacy of the live-attenuated MP-12 vaccine candidate. Expert Rev Vaccines 2017; 16:601-611. [PMID: 28425834 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2017.1321482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic viral disease endemic to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. High rates of abortion among infected ruminants and hemorrhagic fever in infected humans are major public health concerns. Commercially available veterinary RVF vaccines are important for preventing the spread of the Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) in endemic countries; however, RVFV outbreaks continue to occur frequently in endemic countries in the 21st century. In the U.S., the live-attenuated MP-12 vaccine has been developed for both animal and human vaccination. This vaccine strain is well attenuated, and a single dose induces neutralizing antibodies in both ruminants and humans. Areas covered: This review describes scientific evidences of MP-12 vaccine efficacy and safety, as well as MP-12 variants recently developed by reverse genetics, in comparison with other RVF vaccines. Expert commentary: The containment of active RVF outbreaks and long-term protection from RVF exposure to infected mosquitoes are important goals for RVF vaccination. MP-12 vaccine will allow immediate vaccination of susceptible animals in case of an unexpected RVF outbreak in the U.S., whereas MP-12 vaccine may be also useful for the RVF control in endemic regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuro Ikegami
- a Department of Pathology, Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases , The University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston , TX , USA
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33
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Rissmann M, Ulrich R, Schröder C, Hammerschmidt B, Hanke D, Mroz C, Groschup MH, Eiden M. Vaccination of alpacas against Rift Valley fever virus: Safety, immunogenicity and pathogenicity of MP-12 vaccine. Vaccine 2016; 35:655-662. [PMID: 28012779 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Revised: 11/25/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an emerging zoonosis of major public health concern in Africa and Arabia. Previous outbreaks attributed camelids a significant role in the epidemiology of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), making them an important target species for vaccination. Using three alpacas as model-organisms for dromedary camels, the safety, immunogenicity and pathogenicity of the MP-12 vaccine were evaluated in this study. To compare both acute and subacute effects, animals were euthanized at 3 and 31days post infection (dpi). Clinical monitoring, analysis of liver enzymes and hematological parameters demonstrated the tolerability of the vaccine, as no significant adverse effects were observed. Comprehensive analysis of serological parameters illustrated the immunogenicity of the vaccine, eliciting high neutralizing antibody titers and antibodies targeting different viral antigens. RVFV was detected in serum and liver of the alpaca euthanized 3dpi, whereas no virus was detectable at 31dpi. Viral replication was confirmed by detection of various RVFV-antigens in hepatocytes by immunohistochemistry and the presence of mild multifocal necrotizing hepatitis. In conclusion, results indicate that MP-12 is a promising vaccine candidate but still has a residual pathogenicity, which requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Rissmann
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - R Ulrich
- Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - C Schröder
- Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - B Hammerschmidt
- Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - D Hanke
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - C Mroz
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - M H Groschup
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - M Eiden
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
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34
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Wilson WC, Davis AS, Gaudreault NN, Faburay B, Trujillo JD, Shivanna V, Sunwoo SY, Balogh A, Endalew A, Ma W, Drolet BS, Ruder MG, Morozov I, McVey DS, Richt JA. Experimental Infection of Calves by Two Genetically-Distinct Strains of Rift Valley Fever Virus. Viruses 2016; 8:v8050145. [PMID: 27223298 PMCID: PMC4885100 DOI: 10.3390/v8050145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Revised: 05/07/2016] [Accepted: 05/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent outbreaks of Rift Valley fever in ruminant livestock, characterized by mass abortion and high mortality rates in neonates, have raised international interest in improving vaccine control strategies. Previously, we developed a reliable challenge model for sheep that improves the evaluation of existing and novel vaccines in sheep. This sheep model demonstrated differences in the pathogenesis of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) infection between two genetically-distinct wild-type strains of the virus, Saudi Arabia 2001 (SA01) and Kenya 2006 (Ken06). Here, we evaluated the pathogenicity of these two RVFV strains in mixed breed beef calves. There was a transient increase in rectal temperatures with both virus strains, but this clinical sign was less consistent than previously reported with sheep. Three of the five Ken06-infected animals had an early-onset viremia, one day post-infection (dpi), with viremia lasting at least three days. The same number of SA01-infected animals developed viremia at 2 dpi, but it only persisted through 3 dpi in one animal. The average virus titer for the SA01-infected calves was 1.6 logs less than for the Ken06-infected calves. Calves, inoculated with either strain, seroconverted by 5 dpi and showed time-dependent increases in their virus-neutralizing antibody titers. Consistent with the results obtained in the previous sheep study, elevated liver enzyme levels, more severe liver pathology and higher virus titers occurred with the Ken06 strain as compared to the SA01 strain. These results demonstrate the establishment of a virulent challenge model for vaccine evaluation in calves.
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Affiliation(s)
- William C Wilson
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Arthropod Borne Animal Disease Research Unit, 1515 College Ave., Manhattan, KS 66502, USA.
| | - A Sally Davis
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA.
| | - Natasha N Gaudreault
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Arthropod Borne Animal Disease Research Unit, 1515 College Ave., Manhattan, KS 66502, USA.
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA.
| | - Bonto Faburay
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA.
| | - Jessie D Trujillo
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA.
| | - Vinay Shivanna
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA.
| | - Sun Young Sunwoo
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA.
| | - Aaron Balogh
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA.
| | - Abaineh Endalew
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA.
| | - Wenjun Ma
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA.
| | - Barbara S Drolet
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Arthropod Borne Animal Disease Research Unit, 1515 College Ave., Manhattan, KS 66502, USA.
| | - Mark G Ruder
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Arthropod Borne Animal Disease Research Unit, 1515 College Ave., Manhattan, KS 66502, USA.
- Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| | - Igor Morozov
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA.
| | - D Scott McVey
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Arthropod Borne Animal Disease Research Unit, 1515 College Ave., Manhattan, KS 66502, USA.
| | - Juergen A Richt
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66502, USA.
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