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de La Vega MA, XIII A, Massey CS, Spengler JR, Kobinger GP, Woolsey C. An update on nonhuman primate usage for drug and vaccine evaluation against filoviruses. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:1185-1211. [PMID: 39090822 PMCID: PMC11466704 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2386100] [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: 06/23/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Due to their faithful recapitulation of human disease, nonhuman primates (NHPs) are considered the gold standard for evaluating drugs against Ebolavirus and other filoviruses. The long-term goal is to reduce the reliance on NHPs with more ethical alternatives. In silico simulations and organoid models have the potential to revolutionize drug testing by providing accurate, human-based systems that mimic disease processes and drug responses without the ethical concerns associated with animal testing. However, as these emerging technologies are still in their developmental infancy, NHP models are presently needed for late-stage evaluation of filovirus vaccines and drugs, as they provide critical insights into the efficacy and safety of new medical countermeasures. AREAS COVERED In this review, the authors introduce available NHP models and examine the existing literature on drug discovery for all medically significant filoviruses in corresponding models. EXPERT OPINION A deliberate shift toward animal-free models is desired to align with the 3Rs of animal research. In the short term, the use of NHP models can be refined and reduced by enhancing replicability and publishing negative data. Replacement involves a gradual transition, beginning with the selection and optimization of better small animal models; advancing organoid systems, and using in silico models to accurately predict immunological outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc-Antoine de La Vega
- Galveston National Laboratory, Department of Microbiology
and Immunology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas
Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Ara XIII
- Galveston National Laboratory, Department of Microbiology
and Immunology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas
Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Christopher S. Massey
- Galveston National Laboratory, Department of Microbiology
and Immunology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas
Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jessica R. Spengler
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch and Infectious Diseases
Pathology Branch, Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Gary P. Kobinger
- Galveston National Laboratory, Department of Microbiology
and Immunology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas
Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Courtney Woolsey
- Galveston National Laboratory, Department of Microbiology
and Immunology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas
Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
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2
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Camargos VN, Rossi SL, Juelich TL, Smith JK, Vasilakis N, Freiberg AN, Nichols R, Fusco J. Efficacy and Immunogenicity of a Recombinant Vesicular Stomatitis Virus-Vectored Marburg Vaccine in Cynomolgus Macaques. Viruses 2024; 16:1181. [PMID: 39205155 PMCID: PMC11359148 DOI: 10.3390/v16081181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2024] [Revised: 06/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Filoviruses, like the Marburg (MARV) and Ebola (EBOV) viruses, have caused outbreaks associated with significant hemorrhagic morbidity and high fatality rates. Vaccines offer one of the best countermeasures for fatal infection, but to date only the EBOV vaccine has received FDA licensure. Given the limited cross protection between the EBOV vaccine and Marburg hemorrhagic fever (MHF), we analyzed the protective efficacy of a similar vaccine, rVSV-MARV, in the lethal cynomolgus macaque model. NHPs vaccinated with a single dose (as little as 1.6 × 107 pfu) of rVSV-MARV seroconverted to MARV G-protein prior to challenge on day 42. Vaccinemia was measured in all vaccinated primates, self-resolved by day 14 post vaccination. Importantly, all vaccinated NHPs survived lethal MARV challenge, and showed no significant alterations in key markers of morbid disease, including clinical signs, and certain hematological and clinical chemistry parameters. Further, apart from one primate (from which tissues were not collected and no causal link was established), no pathology associated with Marburg disease was observed in vaccinated animals. Taken together, rVSV-MARV is a safe and efficacious vaccine against MHF in cynomolgus macaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vidyleison N. Camargos
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; (V.N.C.); (T.L.J.); (J.K.S.)
| | - Shannan L. Rossi
- Departments of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Human Infection and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA;
| | - Terry L. Juelich
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; (V.N.C.); (T.L.J.); (J.K.S.)
| | - Jennifer K. Smith
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; (V.N.C.); (T.L.J.); (J.K.S.)
| | - Nikos Vasilakis
- Departments of Pathology, Center for Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, Institute of Human Infection and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA;
| | - Alexander N. Freiberg
- Departments of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Human Infection and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA;
| | - Rick Nichols
- Public Health Vaccines, LLC, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA;
| | - Joan Fusco
- Public Health Vaccines, LLC, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA;
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3
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To A, Wong TAS, Ball AH, Lieberman MM, Yalley-Ogunro J, Cabus M, Nezami S, Paz F, Elyard HA, Borisevich V, Agans KN, Deer DJ, Woolsey C, Cross RW, Geisbert TW, Donini O, Lehrer AT. Thermostable bivalent filovirus vaccine protects against severe and lethal Sudan ebolavirus and marburgvirus infection. Vaccine 2024; 42:598-607. [PMID: 38158300 PMCID: PMC10872277 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.12.053] [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: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Although two vaccines for Zaire ebolavirus (EBOV) have been licensed and deployed successfully to combat recurring outbreaks of Ebolavirus Disease in West Africa, there are no vaccines for two other highly pathogenic members of the Filoviridae, Sudan ebolavirus (SUDV) and Marburg marburgvirus (MARV). The results described herein document the immunogenicity and protective efficacy in cynomolgus macaques of a single-vial, thermostabilized (lyophilized) monovalent (SUDV) and bivalent (SUDV & MARV) protein vaccines consisting of recombinant glycoproteins (GP) formulated with a clinical-grade oil-in-water nanoemulsion adjuvant (CoVaccine HT™). Lyophilized formulations of the vaccines were reconstituted with Water for Injection and used to immunize groups of cynomolgus macaques before challenge with a lethal dose of a human SUDV or MARV isolate. Sera collected after each of the three immunizations showed near maximal GP-binding IgG concentrations starting as early as the second dose. Most importantly, the vaccine candidates (monovalent or bivalent) provided 100% protection against severe and lethal filovirus disease after either SUDV or MARV infection. Although mild, subclinical infection was observed in a few macaques, all vaccinated animals remained healthy and survived the filovirus challenge. These results demonstrate the value that thermostabilized protein vaccines could provide for addressing an important gap in preparedness for future filovirus outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert To
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
| | - Teri Ann S Wong
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
| | - Aquena H Ball
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
| | - Michael M Lieberman
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Viktoriya Borisevich
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA; Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA
| | - Krystle N Agans
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA; Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA
| | - Daniel J Deer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA; Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA
| | - Courtney Woolsey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA; Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA
| | - Robert W Cross
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA; Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA
| | - Thomas W Geisbert
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA; Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA
| | | | - Axel T Lehrer
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA.
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Woolsey C, Borisevich V, Agans KN, O’Toole R, Fenton KA, Harrison MB, Prasad AN, Deer DJ, Gerardi C, Morrison N, Cross RW, Eldridge JH, Matassov D, Geisbert TW. A Highly Attenuated Panfilovirus VesiculoVax Vaccine Rapidly Protects Nonhuman Primates Against Marburg Virus and 3 Species of Ebola Virus. J Infect Dis 2023; 228:S660-S670. [PMID: 37171813 PMCID: PMC11009496 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad157] [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: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The family Filoviridae consists of several virus members known to cause significant mortality and disease in humans. Among these, Ebola virus (EBOV), Marburg virus (MARV), Sudan virus (SUDV), and Bundibugyo virus (BDBV) are considered the deadliest. The vaccine, Ervebo, was shown to rapidly protect humans against Ebola disease, but is indicated only for EBOV infections with limited cross-protection against other filoviruses. Whether multivalent formulations of similar recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV)-based vaccines could likewise confer rapid protection is unclear. METHODS Here, we tested the ability of an attenuated, quadrivalent panfilovirus VesiculoVax vaccine (rVSV-Filo) to elicit fast-acting protection against MARV, EBOV, SUDV, and BDBV. Groups of cynomolgus monkeys were vaccinated 7 days before exposure to each of the 4 viral pathogens. All subjects (100%) immunized 1 week earlier survived MARV, SUDV, and BDBV challenge; 80% survived EBOV challenge. Survival correlated with lower viral load, higher glycoprotein-specific immunoglobulin G titers, and the expression of B-cell-, cytotoxic cell-, and antigen presentation-associated transcripts. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate multivalent VesiculoVax vaccines are suitable for filovirus outbreak management. The highly attenuated nature of the rVSV-Filo vaccine may be preferable to the Ervebo "delta G" platform, which induced adverse events in a subset of recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney Woolsey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Viktoriya Borisevich
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Krystle N Agans
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Rachel O’Toole
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Karla A Fenton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Mack B Harrison
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Abhishek N Prasad
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Daniel J Deer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Cheryl Gerardi
- Department of Viral Vaccine Development, Auro Vaccines, Pearl River, New York, USA
| | - Nneka Morrison
- Department of Viral Vaccine Development, Auro Vaccines, Pearl River, New York, USA
| | - Robert W Cross
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - John H Eldridge
- Department of Viral Vaccine Development, Auro Vaccines, Pearl River, New York, USA
| | - Demetrius Matassov
- Department of Viral Vaccine Development, Auro Vaccines, Pearl River, New York, USA
| | - Thomas W Geisbert
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
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5
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Woolsey C, Strampe J, Fenton KA, Agans KN, Martinez J, Borisevich V, Dobias NS, Deer DJ, Geisbert JB, Cross RW, Connor JH, Geisbert TW. A Recombinant Vesicular Stomatitis Virus-Based Vaccine Provides Postexposure Protection Against Bundibugyo Ebolavirus Infection. J Infect Dis 2023; 228:S712-S720. [PMID: 37290053 PMCID: PMC10651203 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad207] [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: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The filovirus Bundibugyo virus (BDBV) causes severe disease with a mortality rate of approximately 20%-51%. The only licensed filovirus vaccine in the United States, Ervebo, consists of a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV) vector that expresses Ebola virus (EBOV) glycoprotein (GP). Ervebo was shown to rapidly protect against fatal Ebola disease in clinical trials; however, the vaccine is only indicated against EBOV. Recent outbreaks of other filoviruses underscore the need for additional vaccine candidates, particularly for BDBV infections. METHODS To examine whether the rVSV vaccine candidate rVSVΔG/BDBV-GP could provide therapeutic protection against BDBV, we inoculated seven cynomolgus macaques with 1000 plaque-forming units of BDBV, administering rVSVΔG/BDBV-GP vaccine to 6 of them 20-23 minutes after infection. RESULTS Five of the treated animals survived infection (83%) compared to an expected natural survival rate of 21% in this macaque model. All treated animals showed an early circulating immune response, while the untreated animal did not. Surviving animals showed evidence of both GP-specific IgM and IgG production, while animals that succumbed did not produce significant IgG. CONCLUSIONS This small, proof-of-concept study demonstrated early treatment with rVSVΔG/BDBV-GP provides a survival benefit in this nonhuman primate model of BDBV infection, perhaps through earlier initiation of adaptive immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney Woolsey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Jamie Strampe
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Karla A Fenton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Krystle N Agans
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Jasmine Martinez
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Viktoriya Borisevich
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Natalie S Dobias
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Daniel J Deer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Joan B Geisbert
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Robert W Cross
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - John H Connor
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Thomas W Geisbert
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
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Cross RW, Prasad AN, Woolsey CB, Agans KN, Borisevich V, Dobias NS, Comer JE, Deer DJ, Geisbert JB, Rasmussen AL, Lipkin WI, Fenton KA, Geisbert TW. Natural history of nonhuman primates after conjunctival exposure to Ebola virus. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4175. [PMID: 36914721 PMCID: PMC10011569 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31027-7] [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: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Transmission of Ebola virus (EBOV) primarily occurs via contact exposure of mucosal surfaces with infected body fluids. Historically, nonhuman primate (NHP) challenge studies have employed intramuscular (i.m.) or small particle aerosol exposure, which are largely lethal routes of infection, but mimic worst-case scenarios such as a needlestick or intentional release, respectively. When exposed by more likely routes of natural infection, limited NHP studies have shown delayed onset of disease and reduced mortality. Here, we performed a series of systematic natural history studies in cynomolgus macaques with a range of conjunctival exposure doses. Challenge with 10,000 plaque forming units (PFU) of EBOV was uniformly lethal, whereas 5/6 subjects survived lower dose challenges (100 or 500 PFU). Conjunctival challenge resulted in a protracted time-to death compared to i.m. Asymptomatic infection was observed in survivors with limited detection of EBOV replication. Inconsistent seropositivity in survivors may suggest physical or natural immunological barriers are sufficient to prevent widespread viral dissemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert W Cross
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77550, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77550, USA
| | - Abhishek N Prasad
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77550, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77550, USA
| | - Courtney B Woolsey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77550, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77550, USA
| | - Krystle N Agans
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77550, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77550, USA
| | - Viktoriya Borisevich
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77550, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77550, USA
| | - Natalie S Dobias
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77550, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77550, USA
| | - Jason E Comer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77550, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77550, USA
| | - Daniel J Deer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77550, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77550, USA
| | - Joan B Geisbert
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77550, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77550, USA
| | - Angela L Rasmussen
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Walter Ian Lipkin
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Karla A Fenton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77550, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77550, USA
| | - Thomas W Geisbert
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77550, USA.
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77550, USA.
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7
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Mateo M, Reynard S, Pietrosemoli N, Perthame E, Journeaux A, Noy K, Germain C, Carnec X, Picard C, Borges-Cardoso V, Hortion J, Lopez-Maestre H, Regnard P, Fellmann L, Vallve A, Barron S, Jourjon O, Lacroix O, Duthey A, Dirheimer M, Daniau M, Legras-Lachuer C, Carbonnelle C, Raoul H, Tangy F, Baize S. Rapid protection induced by a single-shot Lassa vaccine in male cynomolgus monkeys. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1352. [PMID: 36906645 PMCID: PMC10008018 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37050-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Lassa fever hits West African countries annually in the absence of licensed vaccine to limit the burden of this viral hemorrhagic fever. We previously developed MeV-NP, a single-shot vaccine protecting cynomolgus monkeys against divergent strains one month or more than a year before Lassa virus infection. Given the limited dissemination area during outbreaks and the risk of nosocomial transmission, a vaccine inducing rapid protection could be useful to protect exposed people during outbreaks in the absence of preventive vaccination. Here, we test whether the time to protection can be reduced after immunization by challenging measles virus pre-immune male cynomolgus monkeys sixteen or eight days after a single shot of MeV-NP. None of the immunized monkeys develop disease and they rapidly control viral replication. Animals immunized eight days before the challenge are the best controllers, producing a strong CD8 T-cell response against the viral glycoprotein. A group of animals was also vaccinated one hour after the challenge, but was not protected and succumbed to the disease as the control animals. This study demonstrates that MeV-NP can induce a rapid protective immune response against Lassa fever in the presence of MeV pre-existing immunity but can likely not be used as therapeutic vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Mateo
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, 69007, Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Stéphanie Reynard
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, 69007, Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Natalia Pietrosemoli
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Hub, Paris, France
| | - Emeline Perthame
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Hub, Paris, France
| | - Alexandra Journeaux
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, 69007, Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Kodie Noy
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, 69007, Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Clara Germain
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, 69007, Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Xavier Carnec
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, 69007, Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Caroline Picard
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, 69007, Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Virginie Borges-Cardoso
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, 69007, Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Jimmy Hortion
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, 69007, Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Hélène Lopez-Maestre
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Hub, Paris, France
| | - Pierrick Regnard
- SILABE, Université de Strasbourg, fort Foch, Niederhausbergen, France
| | - Lyne Fellmann
- SILABE, Université de Strasbourg, fort Foch, Niederhausbergen, France
| | - Audrey Vallve
- Laboratoire P4 INSERM - Jean Mérieux, INSERM US003, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Stéphane Barron
- Laboratoire P4 INSERM - Jean Mérieux, INSERM US003, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Ophélie Jourjon
- Laboratoire P4 INSERM - Jean Mérieux, INSERM US003, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Orianne Lacroix
- Laboratoire P4 INSERM - Jean Mérieux, INSERM US003, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Aurélie Duthey
- Laboratoire P4 INSERM - Jean Mérieux, INSERM US003, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Manon Dirheimer
- INSERM, Délégation Régionale Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, 69500, Bron, France
| | | | | | | | - Hervé Raoul
- Laboratoire P4 INSERM - Jean Mérieux, INSERM US003, 69007, Lyon, France
| | - Frédéric Tangy
- Vaccine Innovation Laboratory, Institut Pasteur, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Sylvain Baize
- Unité de Biologie des Infections Virales Emergentes, Institut Pasteur, 69007, Lyon, France. .,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Université de Lyon, INSERM U1111, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS UMR5308, 69007, Lyon, France.
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8
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Woolsey C, Borisevich V, Fears AC, Agans KN, Deer DJ, Prasad AN, O’Toole R, Foster SL, Dobias NS, Geisbert JB, Fenton KA, Cross RW, Geisbert TW. Recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus-vectored vaccine induces long-lasting immunity against Nipah virus disease. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e164946. [PMID: 36445779 PMCID: PMC9888376 DOI: 10.1172/jci164946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of the novel henipavirus, Langya virus, received global attention after the virus sickened over three dozen people in China. There is heightened concern that henipaviruses, as respiratory pathogens, could spark another pandemic, most notably the deadly Nipah virus (NiV). NiV causes near-annual outbreaks in Bangladesh and India and induces a highly fatal respiratory disease and encephalitis in humans. No licensed countermeasures against this pathogen exist. An ideal NiV vaccine would confer both fast-acting and long-lived protection. Recently, we reported the generation of a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus-based (rVSV-based) vaccine expressing the NiV glycoprotein (rVSV-ΔG-NiVBG) that protected 100% of nonhuman primates from NiV-associated lethality within a week. Here, to evaluate the durability of rVSV-ΔG-NiVBG, we vaccinated African green monkeys (AGMs) one year before challenge with an uniformly lethal dose of NiV. The rVSV-ΔG-NiVBG vaccine induced stable and robust humoral responses, whereas cellular responses were modest. All immunized AGMs (whether receiving a single dose or prime-boosted) survived with no detectable clinical signs or NiV replication. Transcriptomic analyses indicated that adaptive immune signatures correlated with vaccine-mediated protection. While vaccines for certain respiratory infections (e.g., COVID-19) have yet to provide durable protection, our results suggest that rVSV-ΔG-NiVBG elicits long-lasting immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney Woolsey
- Galveston National Laboratory and
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Viktoriya Borisevich
- Galveston National Laboratory and
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Alyssa C. Fears
- Galveston National Laboratory and
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Krystle N. Agans
- Galveston National Laboratory and
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Daniel J. Deer
- Galveston National Laboratory and
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Abhishek N. Prasad
- Galveston National Laboratory and
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Rachel O’Toole
- Galveston National Laboratory and
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Stephanie L. Foster
- Galveston National Laboratory and
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Natalie S. Dobias
- Galveston National Laboratory and
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Joan B. Geisbert
- Galveston National Laboratory and
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Karla A. Fenton
- Galveston National Laboratory and
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Robert W. Cross
- Galveston National Laboratory and
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Thomas W. Geisbert
- Galveston National Laboratory and
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
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9
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Woolsey C, Fears AC, Borisevich V, Agans KN, Dobias NS, Prasad AN, Deer DJ, Geisbert JB, Fenton KA, Geisbert TW, Cross RW. Natural history of Sudan ebolavirus infection in rhesus and cynomolgus macaques. Emerg Microbes Infect 2022; 11:1635-1646. [PMID: 35657325 PMCID: PMC9225728 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2022.2086072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Due to its high mortality rate and continued re-emergence, Ebolavirus disease (EVD) continues to pose a serious threat to global health. A group of viruses within the genus Ebolavirus causes this severe hemorrhagic disease in humans: Ebola virus (EBOV; species Zaire ebolavirus), Sudan virus (SUDV; species Sudan ebolavirus), Bundibugyo virus, and Taï Forest virus. EBOV and SUDV are associated with the highest case fatality rates. While the host response to EBOV has been comprehensively examined, limited data exists for SUDV infection. For medical countermeasure testing, well-characterized SUDV nonhuman primate (NHP) models are thus needed. Here, we describe a natural history study in which rhesus (N = 11) and cynomolgus macaques (N = 14) were intramuscularly exposed to a 1000 plaque-forming unit dose of SUDV (Gulu variant). Time-course analyses of various hematological, pathological, serological, coagulation, and transcriptomic findings are reported. SUDV infection was uniformly lethal in cynomolgus macaques (100% mortality), whereas a single rhesus macaque subject (91% mortality) survived to the study endpoint (median time-to-death of ∼8.0 and ∼8.5 days in cynomolgus and rhesus macaques, respectively). Infected macaques exhibited hallmark features of human EVD. The early stage was typified by viremia, granulocytosis, lymphopenia, albuminemia, thrombocytopenia, and decreased expression of HLA-class transcripts. At mid-to-late disease, animals developed fever and petechial rashes, and expressed high levels of pro-inflammatory mediators, pro-thrombotic factors, and markers indicative of liver and kidney injury. End-stage disease was characterized by shock and multi-organ failure. In summary, macaques recapitulate human SUDV disease, supporting these models for use in the development of vaccines and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney Woolsey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Alyssa C. Fears
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Viktoriya Borisevich
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Krystle N. Agans
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Natalie S. Dobias
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Abhishek N. Prasad
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Daniel J. Deer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Joan B. Geisbert
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Karla A. Fenton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Thomas W. Geisbert
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Robert W. Cross
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
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10
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Cross RW, Longini IM, Becker S, Bok K, Boucher D, Carroll MW, Díaz JV, Dowling WE, Draghia-Akli R, Duworko JT, Dye JM, Egan MA, Fast P, Finan A, Finch C, Fleming TR, Fusco J, Geisbert TW, Griffiths A, Günther S, Hensley LE, Honko A, Hunegnaw R, Jakubik J, Ledgerwood J, Luhn K, Matassov D, Meshulam J, Nelson EV, Parks CL, Rustomjee R, Safronetz D, Schwartz LM, Smith D, Smock P, Sow Y, Spiropoulou CF, Sullivan NJ, Warfield KL, Wolfe D, Woolsey C, Zahn R, Henao-Restrepo AM, Muñoz-Fontela C, Marzi A. An introduction to the Marburg virus vaccine consortium, MARVAC. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010805. [PMID: 36227853 PMCID: PMC9560149 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of Marburg virus (MARV) in Guinea and Ghana triggered the assembly of the MARV vaccine "MARVAC" consortium representing leaders in the field of vaccine research and development aiming to facilitate a rapid response to this infectious disease threat. Here, we discuss current progress, challenges, and future directions for MARV vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert W. Cross
- Galveston National Laboratory, and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Ira M. Longini
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Stephan Becker
- Institute for Virology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Karin Bok
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - David Boucher
- U.S. COVID-19 Response at U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Miles W. Carroll
- Pandemic Sciences Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford University, United Kingdom
| | | | - William E. Dowling
- Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Washington, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Ruxandra Draghia-Akli
- Johnson & Johnson—Global Public Health Research and Development, Spring House, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - James T. Duworko
- Partnership for Research on Infectious Diseases in Liberia, Monrovia, Liberia
| | - John M. Dye
- Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Michael A. Egan
- Auro Vaccines, Pearl River, New York, United States of America
| | | | - Amy Finan
- Sabin vaccine Institute, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Courtney Finch
- Sabin vaccine Institute, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Thomas R. Fleming
- University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Joan Fusco
- Public Health Vaccines, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Thomas W. Geisbert
- Galveston National Laboratory, and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Anthony Griffiths
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Stephan Günther
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lisa E. Hensley
- Integrated Research Facility, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Anna Honko
- National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Ruth Hunegnaw
- Immune Biology of Retroviral Infection Section, Vaccine Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jocelyn Jakubik
- Sabin vaccine Institute, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Julie Ledgerwood
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kerstin Luhn
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Emily V. Nelson
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Roxana Rustomjee
- Sabin vaccine Institute, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - David Safronetz
- Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | | | - Dean Smith
- Bacterial and Combination Vaccines, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paul Smock
- Sabin vaccine Institute, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Ydrissa Sow
- Collaborative Clinical Research Branch, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Christina F. Spiropoulou
- Viral Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Nancy J. Sullivan
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kelly L. Warfield
- Emergent BioSolutions, Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Daniel Wolfe
- Bacterial and Combination Vaccines, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Courtney Woolsey
- Galveston National Laboratory, and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Roland Zahn
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Andrea Marzi
- Laboratory of Virology, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, United States of America
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11
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Cooper CL, Morrow G, Yuan M, Coleman JW, Hou F, Reiserova L, Li SL, Wagner D, Carpov A, Wallace-Selman O, Valentin K, Choi Y, Wilson A, Kilianski A, Sayeed E, Agans KN, Borisevich V, Cross RW, Geisbert TW, Feinberg MB, Gupta SB, Parks CL. Nonhuman Primates Are Protected against Marburg Virus Disease by Vaccination with a Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Vector-Based Vaccine Prepared under Conditions to Allow Advancement to Human Clinical Trials. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:1582. [PMID: 36298451 PMCID: PMC9610558 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10101582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccines are needed to disrupt or prevent continued outbreaks of filoviruses in humans across Western and Central Africa, including outbreaks of Marburg virus (MARV). As part of a filovirus vaccine product development plan, it is important to investigate dose response early in preclinical development to identify the dose range that may be optimal for safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy, and perhaps demonstrate that using lower doses is feasible, which will improve product access. To determine the efficacious dose range for a manufacturing-ready live recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus vaccine vector (rVSV∆G-MARV-GP) encoding the MARV glycoprotein (GP), a dose-range study was conducted in cynomolgus macaques. Results showed that a single intramuscular injection with as little as 200 plaque-forming units (PFUs) was 100% efficacious against lethality and prevented development of viremia and clinical pathologies associated with MARV Angola infection. Across the vaccine doses tested, there was nearly a 2000-fold range of anti-MARV glycoprotein (GP) serum IgG titers with seroconversion detectable even at the lowest doses. Virus-neutralizing serum antibodies also were detected in animals vaccinated with the higher vaccine doses indicating that vaccination induced functional antibodies, but that the assay was a less sensitive indicator of seroconversion. Collectively, the data indicates that a relatively wide range of anti-GP serum IgG titers are observed in animals that are protected from disease implying that seroconversion is positively associated with efficacy, but that more extensive immunologic analyses on samples collected from our study as well as future preclinical studies will be valuable in identifying additional immune responses correlated with protection that can serve as markers to monitor in human trials needed to generate data that can support vaccine licensure in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Krystle N. Agans
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Viktoriya Borisevich
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Robert W. Cross
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Thomas W. Geisbert
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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12
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Finch CL, Dowling WE, King TH, Martinez C, Nguyen BV, Roozendaal R, Rustomjee R, Skiadopoulos MH, Vert-Wong E, Yellowlees A, Sullivan NJ. Bridging Animal and Human Data in Pursuit of Vaccine Licensure. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:1384. [PMID: 36146462 PMCID: PMC9503666 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10091384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The FDA Animal Rule was devised to facilitate approval of candidate vaccines and therapeutics using animal survival data when human efficacy studies are not practical or ethical. This regulatory pathway is critical for candidates against pathogens with high case fatality rates that prohibit human challenge trials, as well as candidates with low and sporadic incidences of outbreaks that make human field trials difficult. Important components of a vaccine development plan for Animal Rule licensure are the identification of an immune correlate of protection and immunobridging to humans. The relationship of vaccine-induced immune responses to survival after vaccination and challenge must be established in validated animal models and then used to infer predictive vaccine efficacy in humans via immunobridging. The Sabin Vaccine Institute is pursuing licensure for candidate filovirus vaccines via the Animal Rule and has convened meetings of key opinion leaders and subject matter experts to define fundamental components for vaccine licensure in the absence of human efficacy data. Here, filoviruses are used as examples to review immune correlates of protection and immunobridging. The points presented herein reflect the presentations and discussions during the second meeting held in October 2021 and are intended to address important considerations for developing immunobridging strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - William E. Dowling
- Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, Washington, DC 20006, USA
| | | | | | - Bai V. Nguyen
- Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC 20201, USA
| | - Ramon Roozendaal
- Janssen Vaccines and Prevention B.V., Leiden Archimedesweg 4, 2333 CN Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | - Nancy J. Sullivan
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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13
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Cao L, Zhang H, Bai J, Wu T, Wang Y, Wang N, Huang C. HERC6 is upregulated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and promotes the disease progression. Autoimmunity 2022; 55:506-514. [PMID: 35880641 DOI: 10.1080/08916934.2022.2103800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are any peripheral blood cell with round nuclei, including lymphocytes (T cells, B cells) and monocytes, whose physicochemical properties are randomized by obvious immune changes, and are a potentially effective source of SLE blood test samples and therapeutic targets. This study aimed to explore the upregulation molecules of PBMCs in patients with SLE and to explore their biological role. Homologous to the E6-AP carboxyl terminus (HECT) and regulator of chromosome condensation 1 (RCC1)-like domain (RLD) containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase family member 6 (HERC6) expression was found significantly upregulated in four Gene Expression Omnibus gene sets. Moreover, HERC6 expression was upregulated in PBMCs from SLE patients compared with that in PBMCs from normal donors. HERC6 was significantly associated with SLE clinical phenotypes such as complement C3 content, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and SLE disease activity index. In vitro, knockdown of HERC6 inhibited PBMC apoptosis, inflammatory response, and janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signalling pathway, while overexpression of HERC6 led to the opposite results. In addition, AG490, a JAK/STAT pathway inhibitor, reversed the promoting effect of HERC6 overexpression on PBMC apoptosis and inflammation. In conclusion, the level of HERC6 in PBMCs in patients with SLE was upregulated. Overexpression of HERC6 promoted PBMC apoptosis and inflammatory response, which was involved in the JAK/STAT pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Cao
- Pediatric Department, The First Hospital of Yulin, Yulin, PR China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Cardiology Department, The First Hospital of Yulin, Yulin, PR China
| | - Jin Bai
- Pediatric Department, The First Hospital of Yulin, Yulin, PR China
| | - Tingting Wu
- Pediatric Department, The First Hospital of Yulin, Yulin, PR China
| | - Yingjuan Wang
- Pediatric Department, The First Hospital of Yulin, Yulin, PR China
| | - Ning Wang
- Pediatric Department, Xi'an International Medical Center Hospital, Xi'an, PR China
| | - Caihong Huang
- Pediatric Department, The First Hospital of Yulin, Yulin, PR China
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14
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A recombinant VSV-vectored vaccine rapidly protects nonhuman primates against heterologous lethal Lassa fever. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111094. [PMID: 35858566 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Lassa virus (LASV) is recognized by the World Health Organization as one of the top five pathogens likely to cause a severe outbreak. A recent unprecedented resurgence of LASV in Nigeria caused by genetically diverse strains underscores the need for licensed medical countermeasures. Single-injection vaccines that can rapidly control outbreaks and confer long-term immunity are needed. Vaccination of cynomolgus monkeys with a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus vector expressing the glycoprotein precursor of LASV lineage IV strain Josiah (rVSVΔG-LASV-GPC) induces fast-acting protection in monkeys challenged 3 or 7 days later with a genetically heterologous lineage II isolate of LASV from Nigeria, while nonspecifically vaccinated control animals succumb to challenge. The rVSVΔG-LASV-GPC vaccine induces rapid activation of adaptive immunity and the transcription of natural killer (NK) cell-affiliated mRNAs. This study demonstrates that rVSVΔG-LASV-GPC may provide rapid protection in humans against LASV infections in cases where immediate public-health intervention is required.
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15
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Woolsey C, Cross RW, Agans KN, Borisevich V, Deer DJ, Geisbert JB, Gerardi C, Latham TE, Fenton KA, Egan MA, Eldridge JH, Geisbert TW, Matassov D. A highly attenuated Vesiculovax vaccine rapidly protects nonhuman primates against lethal Marburg virus challenge. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010433. [PMID: 35622847 PMCID: PMC9182267 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Marburg virus (MARV), an Ebola-like virus, remains an eminent threat to public health as demonstrated by its high associated mortality rate (23-90%) and recent emergence in West Africa for the first time. Although a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV)-based vaccine (Ervebo) is licensed for Ebola virus disease (EVD), no approved countermeasures exist against MARV. Results from clinical trials indicate Ervebo prevents EVD in 97.5-100% of vaccinees 10 days onwards post-immunization. METHODOLOGY/FINDINGS Given the rapid immunogenicity of the Ervebo platform against EVD, we tested whether a similar, but highly attenuated, rVSV-based Vesiculovax vector expressing the glycoprotein (GP) of MARV (rVSV-N4CT1-MARV-GP) could provide swift protection against Marburg virus disease (MVD). Here, groups of cynomolgus monkeys were vaccinated 7, 5, or 3 days before exposure to a lethal dose of MARV (Angola variant). All subjects (100%) immunized one week prior to challenge survived; 80% and 20% of subjects survived when vaccinated 5- and 3-days pre-exposure, respectively. Lethality was associated with higher viral load and sustained innate immunity transcriptional signatures, whereas survival correlated with development of MARV GP-specific antibodies and early expression of predicted NK cell-, B-cell-, and cytotoxic T-cell-type quantities. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE These results emphasize the utility of Vesiculovax vaccines for MVD outbreak management. The highly attenuated nature of rVSV-N4CT1 vaccines, which are clinically safe in humans, may be preferable to vaccines based on the same platform as Ervebo (rVSV "delta G" platform), which in some trial participants induced vaccine-related adverse events in association with viral replication including arthralgia/arthritis, dermatitis, and cutaneous vasculitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney Woolsey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Robert W. Cross
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Krystle N. Agans
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Viktoriya Borisevich
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Daniel J. Deer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Joan B. Geisbert
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Cheryl Gerardi
- Department of Viral Vaccine Development, Auro Vaccines, Pearl River, New York, United States of America
| | - Theresa E. Latham
- Department of Viral Vaccine Development, Auro Vaccines, Pearl River, New York, United States of America
| | - Karla A. Fenton
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Michael A. Egan
- Department of Immunology, Auro Vaccines, Pearl River, New York, United States of America
| | - John H. Eldridge
- Department of Immunology, Auro Vaccines, Pearl River, New York, United States of America
| | - Thomas W. Geisbert
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Demetrius Matassov
- Department of Viral Vaccine Development, Auro Vaccines, Pearl River, New York, United States of America
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A recombinant VSV-vectored vaccine rapidly protects nonhuman primates against lethal Nipah virus disease. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2200065119. [PMID: 35286211 PMCID: PMC8944267 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2200065119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Concern has increased about the pandemic potential of Nipah virus (NiV). Similar to SARS-CoV-2, NiV is an RNA virus that is transmitted by respiratory droplets. There are currently no NiV vaccines licensed for human use. While several preventive vaccines have shown promise in protecting animals against lethal NiV disease, most studies have assessed protection 1 mo after vaccination. However, in order to contain and control outbreaks, vaccines that can rapidly confer protection in days rather than months are needed. Here, we show that a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus vector expressing the NiV glycoprotein can completely protect monkeys vaccinated 7 d prior to NiV exposure and 67% of animals vaccinated 3 d before NiV challenge. Nipah virus (NiV) is an emerging highly lethal zoonotic disease that, like SARS-CoV-2, can be transmitted via respiratory droplets. Single-injection vaccines that rapidly control NiV outbreaks are needed. To assess the ability of a vaccine to induce fast-acting protection, we immunized African green monkeys with a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) expressing the Bangladesh strain glycoprotein (NiVBG) of NiV (rVSV-ΔG-NiVBG). Monkeys were challenged 3 or 7 d later with a lethal dose of NiVB. All monkeys vaccinated with rVSV-ΔG-NiVBG 7 d prior to NiVB exposure were protected from lethal disease, while 67% of animals vaccinated 3 d before NiVB challenge survived. Vaccine protection correlated with natural killer cell and cytotoxic T cell transcriptional signatures, whereas lethality was linked to sustained interferon signaling. NiV G-specific antibodies in vaccinated survivors corroborated additional transcriptomic findings, supporting activation of humoral immunity. This study demonstrates that rVSV-based vaccines may have utility in rapidly protecting humans against NiV infection.
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Ma Z, Lian H, Lin X, Li Y. LncRNA MIAT Promotes Allergic Inflammation and Symptoms by Targeting MiR-10b-5p in Allergic Rhinitis Mice. Am J Rhinol Allergy 2021; 35:781-789. [PMID: 34709954 DOI: 10.1177/1945892421998143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most common noninfectious respiratory diseases caused by immunoglobulin E (IgE) response. OBJECTIVE The study sought to explore the relationship between lncRNA MIAT and miR-10b-5p and their interaction in the regulation of allergic phenotypes in allergic rhinitis (AR) mice. METHODS A mice model of AR was constructed using ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization. AR mice were treated with miR-10b-5p agomiR and LNA mediated lncRNA MIAT. The targeting relationship between MIAT and miR-10b-5p was analyzed by the ENCORI website and dual-luciferase reporter assay. The numbers of rubbing and sneezing of mice were counted. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining visualized the eosinophils infiltration in nasal mucosa tissues of mice. The percentage of Th17 cells was quantitated by flow cytometry analysis. ELISA was used to detect the levels of serum OVA-specific IgE, the Th12 cytokine IL-4, and inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-17). RESULTS MIAT was up-regulated in the nasal mucosa of AR mice, while miR-10b-5p was down-regulated. MIAT directly suppressed miR-10b-5p expression in AR mice. The numbers of rubbing and sneezing, the percentage of Th17 cells, and the levels of OVA-specific IgE, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-17 in AR mice were decreased by miR-10b-5p overexpression, which was reversed by MIAT overexpression. The eosinophils infiltration in AR mice was inhibited by miR-10b-5p overexpression, which was also reversed by MIAT overexpression. CONCLUSION The present study demonstrates that MIAT overexpression Promotes allergic inflammation and symptoms by activating Th17 immune response via miR-10b-5p inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqi Ma
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haijuan Lian
- Hangzhou Medical College, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Lin
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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Liu G, Cao W, Salawudeen A, Zhu W, Emeterio K, Safronetz D, Banadyga L. Vesicular Stomatitis Virus: From Agricultural Pathogen to Vaccine Vector. Pathogens 2021; 10:1092. [PMID: 34578125 PMCID: PMC8470541 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), which belongs to the Vesiculovirus genus of the family Rhabdoviridae, is a well studied livestock pathogen and prototypic non-segmented, negative-sense RNA virus. Although VSV is responsible for causing economically significant outbreaks of vesicular stomatitis in cattle, horses, and swine, the virus also represents a valuable research tool for molecular biologists and virologists. Indeed, the establishment of a reverse genetics system for the recovery of infectious VSV from cDNA transformed the utility of this virus and paved the way for its use as a vaccine vector. A highly effective VSV-based vaccine against Ebola virus recently received clinical approval, and many other VSV-based vaccines have been developed, particularly for high-consequence viruses. This review seeks to provide a holistic but concise overview of VSV, covering the virus's ascension from perennial agricultural scourge to promising medical countermeasure, with a particular focus on vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guodong Liu
- Special Pathogens Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada
| | - Wenguang Cao
- Special Pathogens Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada
| | - Abdjeleel Salawudeen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
| | - Wenjun Zhu
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency, National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3M4, Canada
| | - Karla Emeterio
- Special Pathogens Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
| | - David Safronetz
- Special Pathogens Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
| | - Logan Banadyga
- Special Pathogens Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada
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Bundibugyo ebolavirus Survival Is Associated with Early Activation of Adaptive Immunity and Reduced Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cell Signaling. mBio 2021; 12:e0151721. [PMID: 34372693 PMCID: PMC8406165 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01517-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ebolaviruses Bundibugyo virus (BDBV) and Ebola virus (EBOV) cause fatal hemorrhagic disease in humans and nonhuman primates. While the host response to EBOV is well characterized, less is known about BDBV infection. Moreover, immune signatures that mediate natural protection against all ebolaviruses remain poorly defined. To explore these knowledge gaps, we transcriptionally profiled BDBV-infected rhesus macaques, a disease model that results in incomplete lethality. This approach enabled us to identify prognostic indicators. As expected, survival (∼60%) correlated with reduced clinical pathology and circulating infectious virus, although peak viral RNA loads were not significantly different between surviving and nonsurviving macaques. Survivors had higher anti-BDBV antibody titers and transcriptionally derived cytotoxic T cell-, memory B cell-, and plasma cell-type quantities, demonstrating activation of adaptive immunity. Conversely, a poor prognosis was associated with lack of an appropriate adaptive response, sustained innate immune signaling, and higher expression of myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC)-related transcripts (S100A8, S100A9, CEBPB, PTGS2, CXCR1, and LILRA3). MDSCs are potent immunosuppressors of cellular and humoral immunity, and therefore, they represent a potential therapeutic target. Circulating plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) levels were also elevated in nonsurvivors and in survivors exhibiting severe illness, emphasizing the importance of maintaining coagulation homeostasis to control disease progression.
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20
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Kanduc D, Shoenfeld Y. Medical, Genomic, and Evolutionary Aspects of the Peptide Sharing between Pathogens, Primates, and Humans. Glob Med Genet 2020; 7:64-67. [PMID: 32939517 PMCID: PMC7490124 DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1716334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Comparing mammalian proteomes for molecular mimicry with infectious pathogens highlights the highest levels of heptapeptide sharing between pathogens and human, murine, and rat proteomes, while the peptide sharing level is minimal (or absent) with proteomes from nonhuman primates such as gorilla, chimpanzee, and rhesus macaque. From the medical point of view, the data might be useful to clinicians and vaccinologists to develop and evaluate immunomodulatory and immunotherapeutic approaches. As a matter of fact, primates seem to be unreliable animal models for revealing potential autoimmune events in preclinical testing of immunotherapies. In terms of genomics, the scarce or absent peptide sharing between pathogens and primates versus the massive peptide sharing existing between pathogens and humans lets foresee mechanisms of pathogen sequence insertion/deletion/alteration that have differently operated in mammals over evolutionary timescales. Why and how the human genome has been colonized by pathogen sequences and why and how primates escaped such a colonization appears to be the new scientific challenge in our efforts to understand not only the origin of Homo sapiens but also his autoimmune diseasome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darja Kanduc
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies, and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Yehuda Shoenfeld
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, University School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
- I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
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