A neutralization assay for respiratory syncytial virus using a quantitative PCR-based endpoint assessment

Development and comparison of three cell-based potency assays for anti-respiratory syncytial virus monoclonal antibody

There is an increasing demand for monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapies to confer passive immunity against viral diseases. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of bronchiolitis, lower respiratory tract infections, and hospitalization in infants. Currently, there is no RSV vaccine but a humanized mAb available for high risk infants. MK-1654 is a fully human mAb with YTE mutation in the fragment crystallizable (Fc) region to extend the half-life in circulation. It binds to a highly conserved epitope of RSV Fusion protein with high affinity and neutralizes RSV infection. A functional cell-based assay is a regulatory requirement for clinical development, commercial release, and stability testing of MK-1654. In this study, we have evaluated three RSV neutralization assays to test the potency of MK-1654, including an imaging-based virus reduction neutralization test (VRNT) and two reporter virus-based assays (RSV-GFP and RSV-NLucP). All three methods showed good dose response curves of MK-1654 with similar EC50 values. RSV-NLucP method was chosen for further development because it is simple and can be easily adapted to quality control testing laboratories. After optimization, the RSV-NLucP assay was pre-qualified with good linearity, relative accuracy, intermediate precision, and specificity, therefore suitable for a cell-based potency assay.

Reversible disruption of XPO1-mediated nuclear export inhibits respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) replication

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the primary cause of serious lower respiratory tract disease in infants, young children, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Therapy for RSV infections is limited to high risk infants and there are no safe and efficacious vaccines. Matrix (M) protein is a major RSV structural protein with a key role in virus assembly. Interestingly, M is localised to the nucleus early in infection and its export into the cytoplasm by the nuclear exporter, exportin-1 (XPO1) is essential for RSV assembly. We have shown previously that chemical inhibition of XPO1 function results in reduced RSV replication. In this study, we have investigated the anti-RSV efficacy of Selective Inhibitor of Nuclear Export (SINE) compounds, KPT-335 and KPT-185. Our data shows that therapeutic administration of the SINE compounds results in reduced RSV titre in human respiratory epithelial cell culture. Within 24 h of treatment, RSV replication and XPO1 expression was reduced, M protein was partially retained in the nucleus, and cell cycle progression was delayed. Notably, the effect of SINE compounds was reversible within 24 h after their removal. Our data show that reversible inhibition of XPO1 can disrupt RSV replication by affecting downstream pathways regulated by the nuclear exporter.

RSV neutralization assays - Use in immune response assessment

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of respiratory illness among children and infants worldwide, yet no licensed vaccine exists to reduce the risk of disease. At least 16 RSV vaccine candidates are currently in clinical development and many are designed to induce robust virus neutralizing immune responses. RSV neutralizing antibody (nAb)-mediated interventions such as intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and palivizumab provide passive protection against serious lower respiratory tract disease due to RSV, validating nAbs as a correlate of protection. To identify correlates of protection for vaccine candidates that have demonstrated their protective efficacy, an investigator can use assays designed to measure nAb responses. However, there is no standard method of measurement; individual laboratories have developed their own methods to measure the ability of nAbs to reduce the infectivity of a defined virus dose in a variety of cell lines, leading to establishment of the broad variety of RSV neutralization assay formats currently in use. Standardizing the RSV neutralization assay is an essential step toward better assessment of nAb responses to vaccine candidates. Use of a common reference standard by all makes comparing the immunogenicity of different vaccine candidates feasible. In the context of vaccine development, the WHO 1^st International Standard for Antiserum to RSV (RSV IS) has been shown to be suitable for harmonizing results across laboratories and assay formats used to measure nAb titers to RSV/A and RSV/B in human sera. This review describes the broad variety of RSV virus neutralization assay formats currently in use and the importance of the RSV IS for harmonization of results across formats and across laboratories. It also outlines good practices for key assay components and data analysis to promote the quality and consistency of measuring RSV nAb titers in serum specimens.

Immunotherapeutic Efficacy of IgY Antibodies Targeting the Full-Length Spike Protein in an Animal Model of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection

Identified in 2012, the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) causes severe and often fatal acute respiratory illness in humans. No approved prophylactic or therapeutic interventions are currently available. In this study, we developed chicken egg yolk antibodies (IgY Abs) specific to the MERS-CoV spike (S) protein and evaluated their neutralizing efficiency against MERS-CoV infection. S-specific IgY Abs were produced by injecting chickens with the purified recombinant S protein of MERS-CoV at a high titer (4.4 mg/mL per egg yolk) at week 7 post immunization. Western blotting and immune-dot blot assays demonstrated specific binding to the MERS-CoV S protein. In vitro neutralization of the generated IgY Abs against MERS-CoV was evaluated and showed a 50% neutralizing concentration of 51.42 μg/mL. In vivo testing using a human-transgenic mouse model showed a reduction of viral antigen positive cells in treated mice, compared to the adjuvant-only controls. Moreover, the lung cells of the treated mice showed significantly reduced inflammation, compared to the controls. Our results show efficient neutralization of MERS-CoV infection both in vitro and in vivo using S-specific IgY Abs. Clinical trials are needed to evaluate the efficiency of the IgY Abs in camels and humans.

Immunotherapeutic Efficacy of IgY Antibodies Targeting the Full-Length Spike Protein in an Animal Model of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection

Identified in 2012, the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) causes severe and often fatal acute respiratory illness in humans. No approved prophylactic or therapeutic interventions are currently available. In this study, we developed chicken egg yolk antibodies (IgY Abs) specific to the MERS-CoV spike (S) protein and evaluated their neutralizing efficiency against MERS-CoV infection. S-specific IgY Abs were produced by injecting chickens with the purified recombinant S protein of MERS-CoV at a high titer (4.4 mg/mL per egg yolk) at week 7 post immunization. Western blotting and immune-dot blot assays demonstrated specific binding to the MERS-CoV S protein. In vitro neutralization of the generated IgY Abs against MERS-CoV was evaluated and showed a 50% neutralizing concentration of 51.42 μg/mL. In vivo testing using a human-transgenic mouse model showed a reduction of viral antigen positive cells in treated mice, compared to the adjuvant-only controls. Moreover, the lung cells of the treated mice showed significantly reduced inflammation, compared to the controls. Our results show efficient neutralization of MERS-CoV infection both in vitro and in vivo using S-specific IgY Abs. Clinical trials are needed to evaluate the efficiency of the IgY Abs in camels and humans.

Development and qualification of a fast, high-throughput and robust imaging-based neutralization assay for respiratory syncytial virus

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common pathogen causing severe respiratory illness in infants and elder adults. The development of an effective RSV vaccine is an important unmet medical need and an area of active research. The traditional method for testing neutralizing antibodies against RSV in clinical trials is the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT), which uses 24-well plates and needs several days post infection to develop viral plaques. In this study, we have developed a virus reduction neutralization test (VRNT), which allows the number of RSV infected cells to be automatically counted by an imaging cytometer at one day post infection in 96-well plates. VRNT was found robust to cell seeding density, detection antibody concentration, virus input and infection time. By testing twenty human sera, we have shown good correlation between VRNT50 and PRNT50 titers for multiple RSV strains: A2, Long and 18537 (serotype B). To understand the VRNT performance, eight human serum samples with high, medium and low neutralization titers were selected for VRNT qualification. We have demonstrated that VRNT had good specificity, precision, linearity and relative accuracy. In conclusion, VRNT is a better alternative to PRNT in serum neutralization test for RSV vaccine candidates.

Portable Automatic Microring Resonator System Using a Subwavelength Grating Metamaterial Waveguide for High-Sensitivity Real-Time Optical-Biosensing Applications

The slow light sensor techniques have been applied to bio-related detection in the past decades. However, similar testing-systems are too large to carry to a remote area for diagnosis or point-of-care testing. This study demonstrated a fully automatic portable biosensing system based on the microring resonator. An optical-fiber array mounted on a controller based micro-positioning system, which can be interfaced with MATLAB to locate a tentative position for light source and waveguide coupling alignment. Chip adapter and microfluidic channel could be packaged as a product such that it is cheap to be manufactured and can be disposed of after every test conducted. Thus, the platform can be more easily operated via an ordinary user without expertise in photonics. It is designed based on conventional optical communication wavelength range. The C-band superluminescent-light-emitting-diode light source couples in/out the microring sensor to obtain quasi-TE mode by grating coupler techniques. For keeping a stable chemical binding reaction, the cost-effective microfluidic pump was developed to offer a specific flow rate of 20 μL/min by using a servo-motor, an Arduino board, and a motor driver. The subwavelength grating metamaterial ring resonator shows highly sensitive sensing performance via surface index changes due to biomarker adhered on the sensor. The real-time peak-shift monitoring shows 10 μg/mL streptavidin detection of limit based on the biotin-streptavidin binding reaction. Through the different specific receptors immobilized on the sensor surface, the system can be utilized on the open applications such as heavy metal detection, gas sensing, virus examination, and cancer marker diagnosis.

Bivalent Junin & Machupo experimental vaccine based on alphavirus RNA replicon vector

Junin (JUNV) and Machupo (MACV), two mammalian arenaviruses placed on the 2018 WHO watch list, are prevalent in South America causing Argentine and Bolivian hemorrhagic fevers (AHF and BHF), respectively. The live attenuated JUNV vaccine, Candid #1, significantly reduced the incidence of AHF. Vaccination induces neutralizing antibody (nAb) responses which effectively target GP1 (the viral attachment glycoprotein) pocket which accepts the tyrosine residue of the cellular receptor, human transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1). In spite of close genetic relationships between JUNV and MACV, variability in the GP1 receptor binding site (e.g., MACV GP1 loop 10) results in poor MACV neutralization by Candid #1-induced nAbs. Candid #1 is not recommended for vaccination of children younger than 15 years old (a growing "at risk" group), pregnant women, or other immunocompromised individuals. Candid #1's primary reliance on limited missense mutations for attenuation, genetic heterogeneity, and potential stability concerns complicate approval of this vaccine in the US. To address these issues, we applied alphavirus RNA replicon vector technology based on the human Venezuelan equine encephalitis vaccine (VEEV) TC-83 to generate replication restricted virus-like-particles vectors (VLPVs) simultaneously expressing cellular glycoprotein precursors (GPC) of both viruses, JUNV and MACV. Resulting JV&MV VLPVs were found safe and immunogenic in guinea pigs. Immunization with VLPVs induced humoral responses which correlated with complete protection against lethal disease after challenge with pathogenic strains of JUNV (Romero) and MACV (Carvallo).

Multiplex PCR-Based Neutralization (MPBN) Assay for Titers Determination of the Three Types of Anti-Poliovirus Neutralizing-Antibodies

Determination of poliovirus-neutralizing antibodies is an important part of clinical studies of poliovirus vaccines, epidemiological surveillance and seroprevalence studies that are crucial for global polio eradication campaigns. The conventional neutralization test is based on inhibition of cytopathic effect caused by poliovirus by serial dilutions of test serum. It is laborious, time-consuming and not suitable for large scale analysis. To overcome these limitations, a multiplex PCR-based neutralization (MPBN) assay was developed to measure the neutralizing antibody titers of anti-poliovirus sera against three serotypes of the virus in the same reaction and in shorter time. All three anti-poliovirus sera types were analyzed in a single assay. The MPBN assay was reproducible, robust and sensitive. Its lower limits of titration for the three anti-poliovirus sera types were within range of 0.76-1.64 per mL. Different anti-poliovirus sera were tested with conventional and MPBN assays; the results obtained by both methods correlated well and generated similar results. The MPBN is the first neutralization assay that specifically titrates anti-poliovirus antibodies against the three serotypes of the virus in the same reaction; it can be completed in two to three days instead of ten days for the conventional assay and can be automated for high-throughput implementation.

An efficient, reproducible and accurate RT-qPCR based method to determine mumps specific neutralizing antibody

INTRODUCTION

A resurgence of mumps among fully vaccinated adolescents and young adults globally has led to questions about the longevity of vaccine derived specific immunity. Unfortunately, the ideal serological correlate of immunity to mumps has yet to be identified. However, neutralising antibody titres in serum are used extensively as a surrogate marker of immunity to mumps. Conventional neutralisation tests are technically challenging, thus we developed and validated a high throughput, RT-qPCR microneutralisation (RT-qPCR-MN) method to determine serum neutralising antibody levels to mumps virus strains which avoids a number of the technical limitations of existing methods.

METHODS

The qPCR-MN assays were thoroughly validated using human serum samples from patients with prior exposure to mumps infection or vaccination.

RESULTS

Each sample of pooled sera neutralised virus at a constant rate and without significant changes when tested against genotype A (MuV-A) and G (MuV-G) mumps virus concentrations from 200 to 3200 TCID₅₀. The within run and between run variation of the RT-qPCR-MN assays for both genotypes were less than 3 % and 9 % for low and high titre samples, respectively. The correlation between the focus reduction neutralisation test and RT-qPCR-MN was excellent for both MuV-G (r² = 0.80, 95CI: 0.67-1.00, p < 0.0001) and MuV-A genotypes (r² = 0.88, 95 %CI 0.69-1.00, p < 0.0001) endpoint determinations.

CONCLUSIONS

We have developed a RT-qPCR MN assay for mumps virus that is simple, fast, scientifically objective and has high throughput. The assay can be used to provide key insights into the efficacy of mumps vaccination, to help explain the causes for the resurgence of mumps infection in vaccinated populations.

Development of a high-throughput assay to measure measles neutralizing antibodies

Measles virus is highly infectious and remains a leading cause of vaccine preventable deaths in children. Neutralizing antibody responses elicited by measles virus infection or immunization are a serological correlate of protection. We describe a high-throughput neutralization assay to improve surveillance for measles immunity. Measles virus-antibody mixtures were incubated on Vero cell monolayers and 24 hours later cell-lysates harvested and subjected to one-step SYBR green RT-qPCR to amplify a target sequence within the measles virus nucleoprotein gene. Neutralization endpoint titers were interpolated to determine the dilution that inhibited the relative amplicon copy number by at least 90% compared to the mean signal obtained in virus control wells in the absence of serum. Anti-measles virus and anti-measles hemagglutinin antisera specifically neutralized measles virus in the microneutralization RT-qPCR assay while pre-immune sera and sera raised against other viruses did not. The microneutralization RT-qPCR assay obeyed the Percentage Law for measles virus inputs ranging from 100-5000 TCID50/well. The linear range of the assay corresponds to measles antibody concentrations of 30 to 3000 mIU/mL. Bland-Altman analysis and two-way analysis of variance demonstrated that results obtained using the microneutralization RT-qPCR assay were comparable to those obtained using a plaque reduction neutralization test and correctly identified human serum samples that were seropositive (95% and 100%, sensitivity and specificity, respectively). Furthermore, these comparisons suggest that a concentration of 300 mIU/mL may be a conservative cut-point to use to identify individuals likely to be protected against severe measles disease when the endpoint is based on 90% inhibition of virus replication. Measles virus microneutralization RT-qPCR is a rapid, sensitive, specific, and robust assay for detecting measles neutralizing antibodies that may help to improve immunization strategies nationally and achieve measles elimination globally.

Development of Luciferase Immunoprecipitation Systems (LIPS) Assay to Detect IgG Antibodies against Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus G-Glycoprotein

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes severe lower respiratory tract disease in infants and the elderly. Although there is no licensed vaccine, RSV-F and -G glycoproteins are targets for vaccine development and therapeutics. We developed an assay that can detect anti-RSV-G IgG antibodies, either as a biomarker of natural exposure or immunization. RSV genes encoding native and mutated G (mG) proteins from subgroups A and B strains were cloned, expressed as luciferase-tagged proteins, and tested individually to detect anti-RSV-G specific IgG antibodies using a high-throughput luciferase immunoprecipitation system (LIPS-G). RSV monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal antisera specifically bound in the LIPS-G_A and/or -G_B assays; whereas anti-RSV-F and -N, and antisera against measles virus or human metapneumovirus did not bind. Anti-RSV-G_A and -G_B IgG responses detected in mice infected intranasally with RSV-A or -B strains were subtype specific. Subtype specific anti-RSV-G_A or -G_B IgG responses were also detected using paired serum samples from infants while human adolescent serum samples reacted in both LIPS-G_A and -G_B assays, reflecting a broader experience.

Development of a High-Throughput Respiratory Syncytial Virus Fluorescent Focus-Based Microneutralization Assay

Neutralizing antibodies specific for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) represent a major protective mechanism against RSV infection, as demonstrated by the efficacy of the immune-prophylactic monoclonal antibody palivizumab in preventing RSV-associated lower respiratory tract infections in premature infants. Accordingly, the RSV neutralization assay has become a key functional method to assess the neutralizing activity of serum antibodies in preclinical animal models, epidemiology studies, and clinical trials. In this study, we qualified a 24-h, fluorescent focus-based microneutralization (RSVA FFA-MN) method that requires no medium exchange or pre- or postinfection processing to detect green fluorescent protein-expressing RSV strain A2 (RSVA-GFP)-infected cells, using a high-content imaging system for automated image acquisition and focus enumeration. The RSVA FFA-MN method was shown to be sensitive, with a limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 1:10, or 3.32 log₂; linear over a range of 4.27 to 9.65 log₂ 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀); and precise, with intra- and interassay coefficients of variation of <21%. This precision allowed the choice of a statistically justified 3-fold-rise seroresponse cutoff criterion. The repeatability and robustness of this method were demonstrated by including a pooled human serum sample in every assay as a positive control (PC). Over 3 years of testing between two laboratories, this PC generated data falling within 2.5 standard deviations of the mean 98.7% of the time (n = 1,720). This high-throughput and reliable RSV microneutralization assay has proven useful for testing sera from preclinical vaccine candidate evaluation studies, epidemiology studies, and both pediatric and adult vaccine clinical trials.

Neutralization Assay for Zika and Dengue Viruses by Use of Real-Time-PCR-Based Endpoint Assessment

The global spread and infective complications of Zika virus (ZKV) and dengue virus (DENV) have made them flaviviruses of public health concern. Serological diagnosis can be challenging due to antibody cross-reactivity, particularly in secondary flavivirus infections or when there is a history of flavivirus vaccination. The virus neutralization assay is considered to be the most specific assay for measurement of anti-flavivirus antibodies. This study describes an assay where the neutralization endpoint is measured by real-time PCR, providing results within 72 h. It demonstrated 100% sensitivity (24/24 ZKV and 15/15 DENV) and 100% specificity (11/11 specimens) when testing well-characterized sera. In addition, the assay was able to determine the correct DENV serotype in 91.7% of cases. The high sensitivity and specificity of the real-time PCR neutralization assay makes it suitable to use as a confirmatory test for sera that are reactive in commercial IgM/IgG enzyme immunoassays. Results are objective and the PCR-based measurement of the neutralization endpoint lends itself to automation so that throughput may be increased in times of high demand.

Development of a micro-neutralization assay for ebolaviruses using a replication-competent vesicular stomatitis hybrid virus and a quantitative PCR readout

Development of vaccines against highly pathogenic viruses that could also be used as agents of bioterrorism is both a public health issue and a national security priority. Methods that can quantify neutralizing antibodies will likely be crucial in demonstrating vaccine effectiveness, as most licensed viral vaccines are effective due to their capacity to elicit neutralizing antibodies. Assays to determine whether antibodies are neutralizing traditionally involve infectious virus, and the assay most commonly used is the plaque-reduction neutralization test (PRNT). However, when the virus is highly pathogenic, this assay must be done under the appropriate level of containment; for tier one select agents, such as Ebola virus (EBOV), it is performed under Biological Safety Level 4 (BSL-4) conditions. Developing high-throughput neutralization assays for these viruses that can be done in standard BSL-2 laboratories should facilitate vaccine development. Our approach is to use a replication-competent hybrid virus whose genome carries the envelope gene from the pathogenic virus on the genetic backbone of a non-pathogenic virus, such as vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). We have generated hybrid VSVs carrying the envelope genes for several species of ebolavirus. The readout for infectivity is a one-step reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), an approach that we have used for other viruses that allows robustness and adaptability to automation. Using this method, we have shown that neutralization can be assessed within 6-16h after infection. Importantly, the titers obtained in our assay with two characterized antibodies were in agreement with titers obtained in other assays. Finally, although in this paper we describe the VSV platform to quantify neutralizing antibodies to ebolaviruses, the platform should be directly applicable to any virus whose envelope is compatible with VSV biology.

Development of bioluminescence imaging of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in virus-infected live mice and its use for evaluation of therapeutics and vaccines

Respiratory Syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the leading causes of pneumonia among infants with no human vaccine or efficient curative treatments. Efforts are underway to develop new RSV vaccines and therapeutics. There is a dire need for animal models for preclinical evaluation and selection of products against RSV. Herein, we developed a whole body bioluminescence imaging to follow replication of RSV A2 virus strain expressing firefly luciferase (RSVA2-line19-FFL) in live BALB/c mice that can be used as an extremely sensitive readout for studying effects of antiviral and vaccines in living mice. Strong bioluminescence signal was detected in the nasal cavity and in the lungs following intranasal infection of mice with RSVA2-line19-FFL. The kinetics of viral replication in lungs quantified by daily live imaging strongly correlated with viral titers measured by ex-vivo plaque assay and by assessing viral RNA by qRT-PCR. Vaccination of mice with a pre-fusion F protein elicited high neutralizing antibody titers conferring strong protective immunity against virus replication in the nasal cavity and lungs. In contrast, post-challenge treatment of mice with the monoclonal antibody Palivizumab two days after infection reduced viral replication in the nasal cavity at day 4, but only modestly reduced virus loads in the lungs by day 5. In contrast to RSV bioluminescence, plaque assay did not detect viral titers in lungs on day 5 in Palivizumab-treated animals. This difference between viral loads measured by the two assays was found to be due to coating of virions with the Palivizumab that blocked infection of target cells in vitro and shows importance of live imaging in evaluation of RSV therapeutics. This recombinant RSV based live imaging animal model is convenient and valuable tool that can be used to study host dissemination of RSV and evaluation of antiviral compounds and vaccines against RSV.

Endogenous RNase inhibitor contributes to stability of RNA in crude cell lysates: Applicability to RT-qPCR

Crude cell lysates are increasingly used as input for direct analysis by reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), particularly for high-throughput applications. We previously demonstrated that a simple buffer containing a non-ionic detergent can serve as an inexpensive alternative to commercial cell-lysis reagents for the preparation of RT-qPCR-ready cell lysates; addition of an exogenous RNase inhibitor (RI) to the lysis buffer was found to be unnecessary to maintain RNA stability in cell lysates either freshly prepared or previously stored frozen at -80 °C. In the present study, we have demonstrated that the stability of RNA observed in our cell lysates is due to the presence of the endogenous RI. Furthermore, we have established the generalizability and applicability of this phenomenon by evaluating lysates prepared from cell lines commonly used in virology (A549, HeLa, MDCK, and Vero). Awareness of the mechanism underlying RNA stability may engender greater confidence in generating cell lysates for RT-qPCR without relying on addition of exogenous RI (a substantial cost-saving benefit) and encourage appropriate practices for handling and storage of samples.

Maternal immunization efforts of the National Institutes of Health

Over the last 35 years, efforts at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to protect mothers and their infants against infectious diseases have involved a bench-to-bedside approach. Basic and translational research that provided a foundation for clinical trials of vaccines in pregnancy include natural history and vaccine antigen identification studies. Development of laboratory assays and reagents have been funded by NIAID; these are critical for the advancement of vaccine candidates through the preclinical and clinical steps along the maternal immunization research pathway to support vaccine efficacy. Animal models of maternal immunization have been developed to evaluate efficacy of vaccine candidates. Clinical studies required development of maternal immunization protocols to address specific pregnancy related issues, for enrollment and safety assessment of mothers and their infants. NIH has organized and participated in meetings, workshops and other collaborative efforts with partners have advanced maternal immunization efforts. Partners have included many institutes and offices at NIH as well as other Department of Health and Human Services agencies and offices (Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Vaccine Program Office), World Health Organization, academic investigators, Biotech and pharmaceutical companies, and nonprofit organizations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. These research and development partnership are essential for advancing maternal immunization. Continued efforts are needed to promote maternal immunization to protect pregnant women and their infants against vaccine-preventable infectious disease, especially in resource-limited settings where the burden of infections is high.

A simple, inexpensive method for preparing cell lysates suitable for downstream reverse transcription quantitative PCR

Sample nucleic acid purification can often be rate-limiting for conventional quantitative PCR (qPCR) workflows. We recently developed high-throughput virus microneutralization assays using an endpoint assessment approach based on reverse transcription qPCR (RT-qPCR). The need for cumbersome RNA purification is circumvented in our assays by making use of a commercial reagent that can easily generate crude cell lysates amenable to direct analysis by one-step RT-qPCR. In the present study, we demonstrate that a simple buffer containing a non-ionic detergent can serve as an inexpensive alternative to commercially available reagents for the purpose of generating RT-qPCR-ready cell lysates from MDCK cells infected with influenza virus. We have found that addition of exogenous RNase inhibitor as a buffer component is not essential in order to maintain RNA integrity, even following stress at 37 °C incubation for 1-2 hours, in cell-lysate samples either freshly prepared or previously stored frozen at -80 °C.

Development of a luciferase immunoprecipitation system assay to detect IgG antibodies against human respiratory syncytial virus nucleoprotein

The nucleoprotein of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV-N) is immunogenic and elicits an IgG response following infection. The RSV-N gene was cloned into a mammalian expression vector, pREN2, and the expressed luciferase-tagged protein (Ruc-N) detected anti-RSV-N-specific IgG antibodies using a high-throughput immunoprecipitation method (the luciferase immunoprecipitation system [LIPS]-N(RSV) assay). The specificity of the assay was evaluated using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and monospecific pre- and postimmunization rabbit antisera. Blood serum samples from chimpanzees and humans with proven/probable RSV infection were also tested. The pre- and postimmunization serum samples from rabbits given human metapneumovirus (HMPV) or measles virus were negative when tested by the LIPS-N(RSV) assay, while antisera obtained after immunization with either the RSV-A or RSV-B strain gave positive signals in a dose-dependent manner. RSV-N MAb 858-3 gave a positive signal in the LIPS-N(RSV) assay, while MAbs against other paramyxovirus nucleoproteins or RSV-F or RSV-G did not. Serum samples from chimpanzees simultaneously immunized with vaccinia-RSV-F and vaccinia-RSV-G recombinant viruses were negative in the LIPS-N(RSV) assay; however, anti-RSV-N IgG responses were detected following subsequent RSV challenge. Seven of the 12 infants who were seronegative at 9 months of age had detectable anti-RSV-N antibodies when they were retested at 15 to 18 months of age. The LIPS-N(RSV) assay detects specific anti-RSV-N IgG responses that may be used as a biomarker of RSV infection.