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Fischer RJ, Bushmaker T, Williamson BN, Pérez-Pérez L, Feldmann F, Lovaglio J, Scott D, Saturday G, Feldmann H, Munster VJ, de Wit E, van Doremalen N. Compartmentalized SARS-CoV-2 Replication in the Upper vs Lower Respiratory Tract After Intranasal Inoculation or Aerosol Exposure. J Infect Dis 2024; 230:657-661. [PMID: 38261786 PMCID: PMC11420804 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiae018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Nonhuman primate models are essential for the development of vaccines and antivirals against infectious diseases. Rhesus macaques are a widely utilized infection model for SARS-CoV-2. We compared cellular tropism and virus replication in rhesus macaques inoculated with SARS-CoV-2 via the intranasal route or via exposure to aerosols. Intranasal inoculation resulted in replication in the upper respiratory tract with limited involvement in the lower respiratory tract, whereas exposure to aerosols resulted in infection throughout the respiratory tract. In comparison with multiroute inoculation, intranasal and aerosol inoculation resulted in reduced SARS-CoV-2 replication in the respiratory tract.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Friederike Feldmann
- Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana
| | - Jamie Lovaglio
- Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana
| | - Dana Scott
- Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana
| | - Greg Saturday
- Rocky Mountain Veterinary Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana
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Nussbaum J, Cao X, Railkar RA, Sachs JR, Spellman DS, Luk J, Shaw CA, Cejas PJ, Citron MP, Al-Ibrahim M, Han D, Pagnussat S, Stoch SA, Lai E, Bett AJ, Espeseth AS. Evaluation of a stabilized RSV pre-fusion F mRNA vaccine: Preclinical studies and Phase 1 clinical testing in healthy adults. Vaccine 2023; 41:6488-6501. [PMID: 37777449 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.05.062] [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: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes a substantial proportion of respiratory tract infections worldwide. Although RSV reinfections occur throughout life, older adults, particularly those with underlying comorbidities, are at risk for severe complications from RSV. There is no RSV vaccine available to date, and treatment of RSV in adults is largely supportive. A correlate of protection for RSV has not yet been established, but antibodies targeting the pre-fusion conformation of the RSV F glycoprotein play an important role in RSV neutralization. We previously reported a Phase 1 study of an mRNA-based vaccine (V171) expressing a pre-fusion-stabilized RSV F protein (mDS-Cav1) in healthy adults. Here, we evaluated an mRNA-based vaccine (V172) expressing a further stabilized RSV pre-fusion F protein (mVRC1). mVRC1 is a single chain version of RSV F with interprotomer disulfides in addition to the stabilizing mutations present in the mDS-Cav1 antigen. The immunogenicity of the two mRNA-based vaccines encoding mVRC1 (V172) or a sequence-optimized version of mDS-Cav1 to improve transcriptional fidelity (V171.2) were compared in RSV-naïve and RSV-experienced African green monkeys (AGMs). V172 induced higher neutralizing antibody titers than V171.2 and demonstrated protection in the AGM challenge model. We conducted a Phase 1, randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of 25 μg, 100 μg, 200 μg, or 300 μg of V172 in healthy older adults (60-79 years old; N = 112) and 100 μg, 200 μg, or 300 μg of V172 in healthy younger adults (18-49 years old; N = 48). The primary clinical objectives were to evaluate the safety and tolerability of V172, and the secondary objective was to evaluate RSV serum neutralization titers. The most commonly reported solicited adverse events were injection-site pain, injection-site swelling, headache, and tiredness. V172 was generally well tolerated in older and younger adults and increased serum neutralizing antibody titers, pre-fusion F-specific competing antibody titers, and RSV F-specific T-cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xin Cao
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA
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3
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Soto JA, Galvez NMS, Rivera DB, Díaz FE, Riedel CA, Bueno SM, Kalergis AM. From animal studies into clinical trials: the relevance of animal models to develop vaccines and therapies to reduce disease severity and prevent hRSV infection. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2022; 17:1237-1259. [PMID: 36093605 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2022.2123468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) is an important cause of lower respiratory tract infections in the pediatric and the geriatric population worldwide. There is a substantial economic burden resulting from hRSV disease during winter. Although no vaccines have been approved for human use, prophylactic therapies are available for high-risk populations. Choosing the proper animal models to evaluate different vaccine prototypes or pharmacological treatments is essential for developing efficient therapies against hRSV. AREAS COVERED This article describes the relevance of using different animal models to evaluate the effect of antiviral drugs, pharmacological molecules, vaccine prototypes, and antibodies in the protection against hRSV. The animal models covered are rodents, mustelids, bovines, and nonhuman primates. Animals included were chosen based on the available literature and their role in the development of the drugs discussed in this manuscript. EXPERT OPINION Choosing the correct animal model is critical for exploring and testing treatments that could decrease the impact of hRSV in high-risk populations. Mice will continue to be the most used preclinical model to evaluate this. However, researchers must also explore the use of other models such as nonhuman primates, as they are more similar to humans, prior to escalating into clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Soto
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - N M S Galvez
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - D B Rivera
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - F E Díaz
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - C A Riedel
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - S M Bueno
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - A M Kalergis
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Departamento de Endocrinología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Volume-Associated Clinical and Histopathological Effects of Intranasal Instillation in Syrian Hamsters: Considerations for Infection and Therapeutic Studies. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11080898. [PMID: 36015019 PMCID: PMC9413582 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11080898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Syrian hamsters are a key animal model of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses and are useful for the evaluation of associated medical countermeasures. Delivery of an infectious agent or intervention to the respiratory tract mirrors natural routes of exposure and allows for the evaluation of clinically relevant therapeutic administration. The data to support instillation or inoculation volumes are important both for optimal experimental design and to minimize or avoid effects of diluent alone, which may compromise both data interpretation and animal welfare. Here we investigate four intranasal (IN) instillation volumes in hamsters (50, 100, 200, or 400 µL). The animals were monitored daily, and a subset were serially euthanized at one of four pre-determined time-points (1, 3, 7, and 14 days post-instillation). Weight, temperature, oxygen saturation, CBC, radiographs, and respiratory tissue histopathology were assessed to determine changes associated with instillation volume alone. With all the delivery volumes, we found no notable differences between instilled and non-instilled controls in all of the parameters assessed, except for histopathology. In the animals instilled with 200 or 400 µL, inflammation associated with foreign material was detected in the lower respiratory tract indicating that higher volumes may result in aspiration of nasal and/or oropharyngeal material in a subset of animals, resulting in IN instillation-associated histopathology.
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Espeseth AS, Yuan M, Citron M, Reiserova L, Morrow G, Wilson A, Horton M, Rukhman M, Kinek K, Hou F, Li SL, Li F, Choi Y, Heidecker G, Luo B, Wu G, Zhang L, Strable E, DeStefano J, Secore S, Mukhopadhyay TK, Richardson DD, Sayeed E, Welch LS, Bett AJ, Feinberg MB, Gupta SB, Cooper CL, Parks CL. Preclinical immunogenicity and efficacy of a candidate COVID-19 vaccine based on a vesicular stomatitis virus-SARS-CoV-2 chimera. EBioMedicine 2022; 82:104203. [PMID: 35915046 PMCID: PMC9338221 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To investigate a vaccine technology with potential to protect against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and reduce transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) with a single vaccine dose, we developed a SARS-CoV-2 candidate vaccine using the live vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) chimeric virus approach previously used to develop a licensed Ebola virus vaccine. Methods We generated a replication-competent chimeric VSV-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate by replacing the VSV glycoprotein (G) gene with coding sequence for the SARS-CoV-2 Spike glycoprotein (S). Immunogenicity of the lead vaccine candidate (VSV∆G-SARS-CoV-2) was evaluated in cotton rats and golden Syrian hamsters, and protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection also was assessed in hamsters. Findings VSV∆G-SARS-CoV-2 delivered with a single intramuscular (IM) injection was immunogenic in cotton rats and hamsters and protected hamsters from weight loss following SARS-CoV-2 challenge. When mucosal vaccination was evaluated, cotton rats did not respond to the vaccine, whereas mucosal administration of VSV∆G-SARS-CoV-2 was found to be more immunogenic than IM injection in hamsters and induced immunity that significantly reduced SARS-CoV-2 challenge virus loads in both lung and nasal tissues. Interpretation VSV∆G-SARS-CoV-2 delivered by IM injection or mucosal administration was immunogenic in golden Syrian hamsters, and both vaccination methods effectively protected the lung from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Hamsters vaccinated by mucosal application of VSV∆G-SARS-CoV-2 also developed immunity that controlled SARS-CoV-2 replication in nasal tissue. Funding The study was funded by Merck Sharp & Dohme, Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, and The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. (IAVI), New York, USA. Parts of this research was supported by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) of the US Department of Defense.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maoli Yuan
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. (IAVI), Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, New York, USA
| | | | - Lucia Reiserova
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. (IAVI), Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, New York, USA
| | - Gavin Morrow
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. (IAVI), Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, New York, USA
| | - Aaron Wilson
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. (IAVI), Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, New York, USA
| | | | - Mark Rukhman
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. (IAVI), Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, New York, USA
| | | | - Fuxiang Hou
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. (IAVI), Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, New York, USA
| | - Shui L Li
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. (IAVI), Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, New York, USA
| | | | - Yesle Choi
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. (IAVI), Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, New York, USA
| | | | - Bin Luo
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Guoxin Wu
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Lan Zhang
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey, USA
| | | | - Joanne DeStefano
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. (IAVI), Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, New York, USA
| | | | | | | | - Eddy Sayeed
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. (IAVI), New York, USA
| | - Lisa S Welch
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. (IAVI), New York, USA; Currently at Clover Biopharmaceuticals, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Mark B Feinberg
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. (IAVI), New York, USA
| | - Swati B Gupta
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. (IAVI), New York, USA
| | - Christopher L Cooper
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. (IAVI), Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, New York, USA
| | - Christopher L Parks
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Inc. (IAVI), Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, New York, USA.
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Cai L, Xu H, Cui Z. Factors Limiting the Translatability of Rodent Model-Based Intranasal Vaccine Research to Humans. AAPS PharmSciTech 2022; 23:191. [PMID: 35819736 PMCID: PMC9274968 DOI: 10.1208/s12249-022-02330-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The intranasal route of vaccination presents an attractive alternative to parenteral routes and offers numerous advantages, such as the induction of both mucosal and systemic immunity, needle-free delivery, and increased patient compliance. Despite demonstrating promising results in preclinical studies, however, few intranasal vaccine candidates progress beyond early clinical trials. This discrepancy likely stems in part from the limited predictive value of rodent models, which are used frequently in intranasal vaccine research. In this review, we explored the factors that limit the translatability of rodent-based intranasal vaccine research to humans, focusing on the differences in anatomy, immunology, and disease pathology between rodents and humans. We also discussed approaches that minimize these differences and examined alternative animal models that would produce more clinically relevant research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Cai
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, Texas, 75390, USA
| | - Haiyue Xu
- The University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy, Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, 2409 University Ave., A1900, Austin, Texas, 78712, USA
| | - Zhengrong Cui
- The University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy, Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, 2409 University Ave., A1900, Austin, Texas, 78712, USA.
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Different Methods and Formulations of Drugs and Vaccines for Nasal Administration. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14051073. [PMID: 35631663 PMCID: PMC9144811 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14051073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Nasal drug delivery is advantageous when compared with other routes of drug delivery as it avoids the hepatic first-pass effect, blood–brain barrier penetration, and compliance issues with parenteral administration. However, nasal administration also has some limitations, such as its low bioavailability due to metabolism on the mucosal surface, and irreversible damage to the nasal mucosa due to the ingredients added into the formula. Moreover, the method of nasal administration is not applicable to all drugs. The current review presents the nasal anatomy and mucosal environment for the nasal delivery of vaccines and drugs, as well as presents various methods for enhancing nasal absorption, and different drug carriers and delivery devices to improve nasal drug delivery. It also presents future prospects on the nasal drug delivery of vaccines and drugs.
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Zohar T, Hsiao JC, Mehta N, Das J, Devadhasan A, Karpinski W, Callahan C, Citron MP, DiStefano DJ, Touch S, Wen Z, Sachs JR, Cejas PJ, Espeseth AS, Lauffenburger DA, Bett AJ, Alter G. Upper and lower respiratory tract correlates of protection against respiratory syncytial virus following vaccination of nonhuman primates. Cell Host Microbe 2021; 30:41-52.e5. [PMID: 34879230 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2021.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is a major cause of respiratory illness in infants and the elderly. Although several vaccines have been developed, none have succeeded in part due to our incomplete understanding of the correlates of immune protection. While both T cells and antibodies play a role, emerging data suggest that antibody-mediated mechanisms alone may be sufficient to provide protection. Therefore, to map the humoral correlates of immunity against RSV, antibody responses across six different vaccines were profiled in a highly controlled nonhuman primate-challenge model. Viral loads were monitored in both the upper and lower respiratory tracts, and machine learning was used to determine the vaccine platform-agnostic antibody features associated with protection. Upper respiratory control was associated with virus-specific IgA levels, neutralization, and complement activity, whereas lower respiratory control was associated with Fc-mediated effector mechanisms. These findings provide critical compartment-specific insights toward the rational development of future vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomer Zohar
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jeff C Hsiao
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Nickita Mehta
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jishnu Das
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Anush Devadhasan
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Wiktor Karpinski
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Zhiyun Wen
- Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA
| | | | | | | | - Douglas A Lauffenburger
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - Galit Alter
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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Brakel KA, Binjawadagi B, French-Kim K, Watts M, Harder O, Ma Y, Li J, Niewiesk S. Coexpression of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) fusion (F) protein and attachment glycoprotein (G) in a vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) vector system provides synergistic effects against RSV infection in a cotton rat model. Vaccine 2021; 39:6817-6828. [PMID: 34702618 PMCID: PMC8595748 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.10.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most important causes of respiratory disease in infants, immunocompromised individuals, and the elderly. Natural infection does not result in long-term immunity, and there is no licensed vaccine. Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is a commonly used vaccine vector platform against infectious diseases, and has been used as a vector for a licensed Ebola vaccine. In this study, we expressed the RSV fusion (F) protein, the RSV F protein stabilized in either a pre-fusion or a post-fusion configuration, the attachment glycoprotein (G), or the G and F proteins of RSV in combination in a VSV vector. Cotton rats were immunized with these recombinants intranasally or subcutaneously to test immunogenicity. RSV F stabilized in either a pre-fusion or a post-fusion configuration proved to be poorly immunogenic and protective when compared to unmodified F. RSV G provided partial protection and moderate levels of neutralizing antibody production, both of which improved with intranasal administration compared to subcutaneous inoculation. The most successful vaccine vector was VSV expressing both the G and F proteins after intranasal inoculation. Immunization with this recombinant induced neutralizing antibodies and provided protection from RSV challenge in the upper and lower respiratory tract for at least 80 days. Our results demonstrate that co-expression of F and G proteins in a VSV vector provides synergistic effects in inducing RSV-specific neutralizing antibodies and protection against RSV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey A Brakel
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States.
| | - Basavaraj Binjawadagi
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States; Ceva Sante Animale, Lenexa, KS, United States
| | - Kristen French-Kim
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Mauria Watts
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Olivia Harder
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Yuanmei Ma
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Jianrong Li
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Stefan Niewiesk
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
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Citron MP, McAnulty J, Callahan C, Knapp W, Fontenot J, Morales P, Flynn JA, Douglas CM, Espeseth AS. Transplacental Antibody Transfer of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Specific IgG in Non-Human Primate Mother-Infant Pairs. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10111441. [PMID: 34832599 PMCID: PMC8624788 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
One approach to protect new-borns against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is to vaccinate pregnant women in the last trimester of pregnancy. The boosting of circulating antibodies which can be transferred to the foetus would offer immune protection against the virus and ultimately the disease. Since non-human primates (NHPs) have similar reproductive anatomy, physiology, and antibody architecture and kinetics to humans, we utilized this preclinical species to evaluate maternal immunization (MI) using an RSV F subunit vaccine. Three species of NHPs known for their ability to be infected with human RSV in experimental challenge studies were tested for RSV-specific antibodies. African green monkeys had the highest overall antibody levels of the old-world monkeys evaluated and they gave birth to offspring with anti-RSV titers that were proportional to their mother. These higher overall antibody levels are associated with greater durability found in their offspring. Immunization of RSV seropositive AGMs during late pregnancy boosts RSV titers, which consequentially results in significantly higher titers in the vaccinated new-borns compared to the new-borns of unvaccinated mothers. These findings, accomplished in small treatment group sizes, demonstrate a model that provides an efficient, resource sparing and translatable preclinical in vivo system for evaluating vaccine candidates for maternal immunization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P. Citron
- Infectious Disease & Vaccines, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA; (J.M.); (C.C.); (J.A.F.); (C.M.D.); (A.S.E.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Jessica McAnulty
- Infectious Disease & Vaccines, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA; (J.M.); (C.C.); (J.A.F.); (C.M.D.); (A.S.E.)
| | - Cheryl Callahan
- Infectious Disease & Vaccines, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA; (J.M.); (C.C.); (J.A.F.); (C.M.D.); (A.S.E.)
| | - Walter Knapp
- Safety Assessment and Laboratory Animal Resources, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA;
| | - Jane Fontenot
- The New Iberia Research Center, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, New Iberia, LA 70560, USA;
| | - Pablo Morales
- The Mannheimer Foundation, Homestead, FL 33034, USA;
| | - Jessica A. Flynn
- Infectious Disease & Vaccines, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA; (J.M.); (C.C.); (J.A.F.); (C.M.D.); (A.S.E.)
| | - Cameron M. Douglas
- Infectious Disease & Vaccines, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA; (J.M.); (C.C.); (J.A.F.); (C.M.D.); (A.S.E.)
| | - Amy S. Espeseth
- Infectious Disease & Vaccines, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA; (J.M.); (C.C.); (J.A.F.); (C.M.D.); (A.S.E.)
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11
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Aliprantis AO, Shaw CA, Griffin P, Farinola N, Railkar RA, Cao X, Liu W, Sachs JR, Swenson CJ, Lee H, Cox KS, Spellman DS, Winstead CJ, Smolenov I, Lai E, Zaks T, Espeseth AS, Panther L. A phase 1, randomized, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of an mRNA-based RSV prefusion F protein vaccine in healthy younger and older adults. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2020; 17:1248-1261. [PMID: 33121346 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2020.1829899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) causes lower respiratory tract infections that can be severe and sometimes fatal. The risk for severe RSV infection is highest in infants and older adults. A safe and effective RSV vaccine for older adults represents a serious unmet medical need due to higher morbidity and mortality in this age group. In this randomized, partially double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 1 dose-escalation study, we evaluated the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of an investigational messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccine encoding the RSV fusion protein (F) stabilized in the prefusion conformation. The study was conducted in healthy younger adults (ages ≥18 and ≤49 years) and healthy older adults (ages ≥60 and ≤79 years). Participants received mRNA-1777 (V171) or placebo as a single intramuscular dose. For each dose level, three sentinel participants were administered open-label mRNA-1777 (V171). Seventy-two younger adults were randomized and administered 25, 100, or 200 µg mRNA-1777 (V171) or placebo, and 107 older adults were randomized and administered 25, 100, 200 or 300 µg mRNA-1777 (V171) or placebo. Primary objectives were safety and tolerability and secondary objectives included humoral and cell-mediated immunogenicity. All dose levels of mRNA-1777 (V171) were generally well tolerated and no serious adverse events related to the vaccine were reported. Immunization with mRNA-1777 (V171) elicited a humoral immune response as measured by increases in RSV neutralizing antibody titers, serum antibody titers to RSV prefusion F protein, D25 competing antibody titers to RSV prefusion F protein, and cell-mediated immune responses to RSV-F peptides.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Paul Griffin
- QPharm, Herston, Australia.,The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.,Mater Research Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane, Australia
| | | | | | - Xin Cao
- Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA
| | - Wen Liu
- Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Eseng Lai
- Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA
| | - Tal Zaks
- Moderna, Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
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Espeseth AS, Cejas PJ, Citron MP, Wang D, DiStefano DJ, Callahan C, Donnell GO, Galli JD, Swoyer R, Touch S, Wen Z, Antonello J, Zhang L, Flynn JA, Cox KS, Freed DC, Vora KA, Bahl K, Latham AH, Smith JS, Gindy ME, Ciaramella G, Hazuda D, Shaw CA, Bett AJ. Modified mRNA/lipid nanoparticle-based vaccines expressing respiratory syncytial virus F protein variants are immunogenic and protective in rodent models of RSV infection. NPJ Vaccines 2020; 5:16. [PMID: 32128257 PMCID: PMC7021756 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-020-0163-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The RSV Fusion (F) protein is a target for neutralizing antibody responses and is a focus for vaccine discovery; however, the process of RSV entry requires F to adopt a metastable prefusion form and transition to a more stable postfusion form, which displays less potent neutralizing epitopes. mRNA vaccines encode antigens that are translated by host cells following vaccination, which may allow conformational transitions similar to those observed during natural infection to occur. Here we evaluate a panel of chemically modified mRNA vaccines expressing different forms of the RSV F protein, including secreted, membrane associated, prefusion-stabilized, and non-stabilized structures, for conformation, immunogenicity, protection, and safety in rodent models. Vaccination with mRNA encoding native RSV F elicited antibody responses to both prefusion- and postfusion-specific epitopes, suggesting that this antigen may adopt both conformations in vivo. Incorporating prefusion stabilizing mutations further shifts the immune response toward prefusion-specific epitopes, but does not impact neutralizing antibody titer. mRNA vaccine candidates expressing either prefusion stabilized or native forms of RSV F protein elicit robust neutralizing antibody responses in both mice and cotton rats, similar to levels observed with a comparable dose of adjuvanted prefusion stabilized RSV F protein. In contrast to the protein subunit vaccine, mRNA-based vaccines elicited robust CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses in mice, highlighting a potential advantage of the technology for vaccines requiring a cellular immune response for efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy S. Espeseth
- ID/Vaccines Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ USA
| | - Pedro J. Cejas
- ID/Vaccines Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ USA
| | | | - Dai Wang
- ID/Vaccines Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ USA
| | | | - Cheryl Callahan
- ID/Vaccines Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ USA
| | | | | | - Ryan Swoyer
- ID/Vaccines Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ USA
| | - Sinoeun Touch
- ID/Vaccines Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ USA
| | - Zhiyun Wen
- ID/Vaccines Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ USA
| | | | - Lan Zhang
- ID/Vaccines Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ USA
| | | | - Kara S. Cox
- ID/Vaccines Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ USA
| | - Daniel C. Freed
- ID/Vaccines Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ USA
| | - Kalpit A. Vora
- ID/Vaccines Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ USA
| | | | | | | | - Marian E. Gindy
- Pharmaceutical Science, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ USA
| | | | - Daria Hazuda
- ID/Vaccines Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ USA
| | | | - Andrew J. Bett
- ID/Vaccines Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ USA
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Nasal route for vaccine and drug delivery: Features and current opportunities. Int J Pharm 2019; 572:118813. [PMID: 31678521 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2019.118813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Mucosal administration, and specifically nasal route, constitutes an alternative and promising strategy for drug and vaccine delivery. Mucosal routes have several advantages supporting their selective use for different pathologies. Currently, many efforts are being made to develop effective drug formulations and novel devices for nasal delivery. This review described the structure and main characteristics of the nasal cavity. The advantages, achievements and challenges of the nasal route use for medical purposes are discussed, with particular focus on vaccine delivery. Compelling evidences support the potentialities and safety of the nasal delivery of vaccines and drugs. This alternative route could become a solution for many unmet medical issues and also may facilitate and cheapen massive immunization campaigns or long-lasting chronic treatments. Nowadays, in spite of certain remaining skepticism, the field of nasal delivery of drugs and vaccines is growing fast, bolstered by current developments in nanotechnology, imaging and administration devices. A notable increase in the number of approved drugs for nasal administration is envisaged.
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Casadei E, Salinas I. Comparative models for human nasal infections and immunity. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 92:212-222. [PMID: 30513304 PMCID: PMC7102639 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2018.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The human olfactory system is a mucosal surface and a major portal of entry for respiratory and neurotropic pathogens into the body. Understanding how the human nasopharynx-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT) halts the progression of pathogens into the lower respiratory tract or the central nervous system is key for developing effective cures. Although traditionally mice have been used as the gold-standard model for the study of human nasal diseases, mouse models present important caveats due to major anatomical and functional differences of the human and murine olfactory system and NALT. We summarize the NALT anatomy of different animal groups that have thus far been used to study host-pathogen interactions at the olfactory mucosa and to test nasal vaccines. The goal of this review is to highlight the strengths and limitations of each animal model of nasal immunity and to identify the areas of research that require further investigation to advance human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Casadei
- University of New Mexico, Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology (CETI), Albuquerque, NM, USA.
| | - Irene Salinas
- University of New Mexico, Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology (CETI), Albuquerque, NM, USA
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Jo YM, Kim J, Chang J. Vaccine containing G protein fragment and recombinant baculovirus expressing M2 protein induces protective immunity to respiratory syncytial virus. Clin Exp Vaccine Res 2019; 8:43-53. [PMID: 30775350 PMCID: PMC6369125 DOI: 10.7774/cevr.2019.8.1.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2018] [Revised: 01/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause serious respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia, asthma, and bronchiolitis in infants and elderly or immunocompromised individuals. An RSV vaccine has yet to be developed; only prophylactic anti-RSV antibody is commercially available. So, we investigated whether our vaccine candidate is able to induce type 1 CD4+ T helper (Th1), CD8+ T-cell responses, and protective immunity without vaccine-enhanced disease (VED) against RSV. Materials and Methods We used RSV G protein fragment (Gcf A) with recombinant baculovirus capable of expressing the RSV M2 protein (Bac M2) as a vaccine candidate, and injected this vaccine (Gcf A/Bac M2) intramuscularly, and challenged with RSV intranasally into mice. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, flow cytometry, plaque assay, and weight measurement were performed to confirm humoral immunity, cellular immunity, and protective immunity. Results The Gcf A/Bac M2 formulation induced a stronger IgG response to Gcf A than Gcf A inoculation alone, and the ratio of IgG1/IgG2a indicated that the responses shifted predominantly to Th1. In addition, both RSV G-specific Th1 responses and RSV M2-specific CD8+ T-cell responses were induced, and G protein-associated eosinophilic infiltration was suppressed compared to the control group. Moreover, the Gcf A/Bac M2 group showed effective protection after an RSV challenge. Conclusion Bac M2 could serve as a vaccine with intrinsic adjuvant activity, and the Gcf A/Bac M2 shows promise as a vaccine candidate for inducing protective immunity without inciting VED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeong-Min Jo
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jungwoo Kim
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jun Chang
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
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