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Lu J, Liu J, Wu Y, He X, Gao X, Chen X, Chen S, Zhu X, Peng Y, Xiao G, Pan X. A full-length glycoprotein mRNA vaccine confers complete protection against severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus, with broad-spectrum protective effects against bandaviruses. J Virol 2024:e0076924. [PMID: 38829138 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00769-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Highly pathogenic viruses from family Phenuiviridae, which are mainly transmitted by arthropods, have intermittently sparked epidemics worldwide. In particular, tick-borne bandaviruses, such as severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), continue to spread in mountainous areas, resulting in an average mortality rate as high as 10.5%, highlighting the urgency and importance of vaccine development. Here, an mRNA vaccine developed based on the full-length SFTSV glycoprotein, containing both the receptor-binding domain and the fusion domain, was shown to confer complete protection against SFTSV at a very low dose by triggering a type 1 helper T cell-biased cellular immune response in rodents. Moreover, the vaccine candidate elicited long-term immunity and protection against SFTSV for at least 5 months. Notably, it provided complete cross-protection against other bandaviruses, such as the Heartland virus and Guertu virus, in lethal challenge models. Further research revealed that the conserved epitopes among bandaviruses within the full-length SFTSV glycoprotein may facilitate broad-spectrum protection mediated by the cellular immune response. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that the full-length SFTSV glycoprotein mRNA vaccine is a promising vaccine candidate for SFTSV and other bandaviruses, and provide guidance for the development of broad-spectrum vaccines from conserved antigens and epitopes. IMPORTANCE Tick-borne bandaviruses, such as SFTSV and Heartland virus, sporadically trigger outbreaks in addition to influenza viruses and coronaviruses, yet there are no specific vaccines or therapeutics against them. mRNA vaccine technology has advantages in terms of enabling in situ expression and triggering cellular immunity, thus offering new solutions for vaccine development against intractable viruses, such as bandaviruses. In this study, we developed a novel vaccine candidate for SFTSV by employing mRNA vaccination technology and using a full-length glycoprotein as an antigen target. This candidate vaccine confers complete and durable protection against SFTSV at a notably low dose while also providing cross-protection against Heartland virus and Guertu virus. This study highlights the prospective value of full-length SFTSV-glycoprotein-based mRNA vaccines and suggests a potential strategy for broad-spectrum bandavirus vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Liverna Therapeutics Inc., Zhuhai, China
| | - Yan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoxue He
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiao Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xinlan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | | | - Xuerui Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Yucai Peng
- Liverna Therapeutics Inc., Zhuhai, China
| | - Gengfu Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoyan Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
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Salinas ND, Ma R, McAleese H, Ouahes T, Long CA, Miura K, Lambert LE, Tolia NH. A Self-Assembling Pfs230D1-Ferritin Nanoparticle Vaccine Has Potent and Durable Malaria Transmission-Reducing Activity. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:546. [PMID: 38793797 PMCID: PMC11125772 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12050546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Malaria is caused by eukaryotic protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. There are 249 million new cases and 608,000 deaths annually, and new interventions are desperately needed. Malaria vaccines can be divided into three categories: liver stage, blood stage, or transmission-blocking vaccines. Transmission-blocking vaccines prevent the transmission of disease by the mosquito vector from one human to another. Pfs230 is one of the leading transmission-blocking vaccine antigens for malaria. Here, we describe the development of a 24-copy self-assembling nanoparticle vaccine comprising domain 1 of Pfs230 genetically fused to H. pylori ferritin. The single-component Pfs230D1-ferritin construct forms a stable and homogenous 24-copy nanoparticle with good production yields. The nanoparticle is highly immunogenic, as two low-dose vaccinations of New Zealand White rabbits elicited a potent and durable antibody response with high transmission-reducing activity when formulated in two distinct adjuvants suitable for translation to human use. This single-component 24-copy Pfs230D1-ferritin nanoparticle vaccine has the potential to improve production pipelines and the cost of manufacturing a potent and durable transmission-blocking vaccine for malaria control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nichole D. Salinas
- Host-Pathogen Interactions and Structural Vaccinology Section, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (N.D.S.)
| | - Rui Ma
- Host-Pathogen Interactions and Structural Vaccinology Section, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (N.D.S.)
| | - Holly McAleese
- Vaccine Development Unit, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Tarik Ouahes
- Vaccine Development Unit, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Carole A. Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Kazutoyo Miura
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Lynn E. Lambert
- Vaccine Development Unit, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Niraj H. Tolia
- Host-Pathogen Interactions and Structural Vaccinology Section, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (N.D.S.)
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Hao Y, Wang X, Du Z, Liu C, Zhang M, Kuai H, Wang W, Wang Z, Liu Z, Yang J. Prevalence and impact of viral myocarditis in patients with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29612. [PMID: 38639291 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29612] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
To explore the association and impact between viral myocarditis and mortality in patients with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome. A dynamic analysis was conducted between fatal group and nonfatal group regarding the daily epidemiology data, clinical symptoms, and electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, and laboratory findings. Outcomes of patients with and without viral myocarditis were compared. The association between viral myocarditis and mortality was analyzed. Among 183 severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome patients, 32 were in the fatal group and 151 in the nonfatal group; there were 26 (81.25%) with viral myocarditis in the fatal group, 66 (43.70%) with viral myocarditis in the nonfatal group (p < 0.001), 79.35% of patients had abnormal ECG results. The abnormal rate of ECG in the fatal group was 100%, and in the nonfatal group was 74.83%. Univariate analysis found that the number of risk factors gradually increased on Day 7 of the disease course and reached the peak on Day 10. Combined with the dynamic analysis of the disease course, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, creatine kinase fraction, lactate dehydrogenase, hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, neutrophil count, serum creatinine, Na, Ca, carbon dioxide combining power, amylase, lipase, activated partial thromboplastin time and thrombin time had statistically significant impact on prognosis. The incidence of fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome combined with viral myocarditis is high, especially in the fatal group of patients. Viral myocarditis is closely related to prognosis and is an early risk factor. The time point for changes in myocarditis is Day 7 of the course of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Hao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyi Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhixiang Du
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Cuicui Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Anqing Municipal Hospital, Anqing, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingfang Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Huifen Kuai
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenjie Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Zijian Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenjun Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Anqing Municipal Hospital, Anqing, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianghua Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, People's Republic of China
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Kim S, Jeon K, Choi H, Jeong DE, Kang JG, Cho NH. Comparative analysis of the efficacy of vaccines using structural protein subunits of the severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1348276. [PMID: 38567080 PMCID: PMC10985320 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1348276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) represents a significant emerging health threat as a tick-borne pathogen that causes SFTS, with mortality rates ranging between 10 and 30%. Despite the considerable risk presented by SFTSV, an effective vaccine has yet to be developed. Our study assessed the efficacy of recombinant protein vaccines, focusing on the purified nucleocapsid protein (NP) and surface glycoproteins (Gn and Gc), against SFTSV in both singular and combined formulations. Individual vaccinations with NP or Gn subunits yielded partial protection in type I interferon receptor-knockout (IFNAR-KO) mice, with survival rates of 66.7 and 16.7%, respectively, whereas Gc vaccination did not confer significant protection, resulting in 100% mortality similar to that of the unvaccinated control group. Notably, NP vaccination substantially enhanced antigen-specific T cell responses, and Gc vaccination exhibited strong neutralizing activity against SFTSV. Among the combined recombinant protein formulations (Gn + NP, Gc + NP, and Gn + Gc + NP) tested, the Gc + NP combination provided the highest survival rate (85.7%) following challenge with a lethal dose of SFTSV, highlighting its potential as a vaccine candidate. Longitudinal studies showed that antibody levels in both wild type C57BL/6 and IFNAR-KO mice peaked between 2 and 3 months post-vaccination and declined over time. A notable decrease in NP-specific CD8+ T cell responses was observed 6 months post-vaccination in C57BL/6 mice, while NP-specific CD4+ T cell responses persisted up to 12 months. By 12 months post-vaccination, all IFNAR-KO mice vaccinated with single subunit antigens succumbed to the virus, suggesting that effective protection against SFTS may rely on antibody responses to subunit antigens and/or CD8+ T cell activity. These findings underscore the necessity of an optimized SFTS vaccine that combines protective antigens with an adjuvant system to ensure durable humoral and cellular immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohee Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeongseok Jeon
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hooncheol Choi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Da-Eun Jeong
- Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Gu Kang
- Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, Republic of Korea
| | - Nam-Hyuk Cho
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Endemic Disease, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
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Kim D, Lai CJ, Cha I, Jung JU. Current Progress of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus (SFTSV) Vaccine Development. Viruses 2024; 16:128. [PMID: 38257828 PMCID: PMC10818334 DOI: 10.3390/v16010128] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
SFTSV is an emerging tick-borne virus causing hemorrhagic fever with a case fatality rate (CFR) that can reach up to 27%. With endemic infection in East Asia and the recent spread of the vector tick to more than 20 states in the United States, the SFTSV outbreak is a globally growing public health concern. However, there is currently no targeted antiviral therapy or licensed vaccine against SFTSV. Considering the age-dependent SFTS pathogenesis and disease outcome, a sophisticated vaccine development approach is required to safeguard the elderly population from lethal SFTSV infection. Given the recent emergence of SFTSV, the establishment of animal models to study immunogenicity and protection from SFTS symptoms has only occurred recently. The latest research efforts have applied diverse vaccine development approaches-including live-attenuated vaccine, DNA vaccine, whole inactivated virus vaccine, viral vector vaccine, protein subunit vaccine, and mRNA vaccine-in the quest to develop a safe and effective vaccine against SFTSV. This review aims to outline the current progress in SFTSV vaccine development and suggest future directions to enhance the safety and efficacy of these vaccines, ensuring their suitability for clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dokyun Kim
- Cancer Biology Department, Infection Biology Program, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (D.K.); (C.-J.L.); (I.C.)
- Global Center for Pathogen and Human Health Research, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Chih-Jen Lai
- Cancer Biology Department, Infection Biology Program, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (D.K.); (C.-J.L.); (I.C.)
- Global Center for Pathogen and Human Health Research, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Inho Cha
- Cancer Biology Department, Infection Biology Program, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (D.K.); (C.-J.L.); (I.C.)
- Global Center for Pathogen and Human Health Research, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Jae U. Jung
- Cancer Biology Department, Infection Biology Program, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (D.K.); (C.-J.L.); (I.C.)
- Global Center for Pathogen and Human Health Research, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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Kim D, Lai CJ, Cha I, Kang S, Yang WS, Choi Y, Jung JU. SFTSV Gn-Head mRNA vaccine confers efficient protection against lethal viral challenge. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e29203. [PMID: 37909776 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is an emerging tick-borne virus, causing thrombocytopenia and hemorrhagic fever, with a fatality rate ranging from 12% to 30%. SFTSV possesses Gn and Gc glycoproteins, which are responsible for host cell receptor attachment and membrane fusion, respectively, to infect host cells. We have previously reported a protein subunit vaccine candidate (sGn-H-FT) of the SFTSV soluble Gn head region (sGn-H) fused with self-assembling ferritin (FT) nanoparticles, displaying strong protective immunogenicity. In this study, we present messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine candidates encoding sGn-H or sGn-H-FT, both of which exhibit potent in vivo immunogenicity and protection capacity. Mice immunized with either sGn-H or sGn-H-FT mRNA lipid nanoparticle (LNP) vaccine produced strong total antibodies and neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) against sGn-H. Importantly, NAb titers remained high for an extended period. Finally, mice immunized with sGn-H or sGn-H-FT mRNA LNP vaccine were fully protected from a lethal dose of SFTSV challenge, showing no fatality. These findings underscore the promise of sGn-H and sGn-H-FT as vaccine antigen candidates capable of providing protective immunity against SFTSV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dokyun Kim
- Department of Cancer Biology and Infection Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Global Center for Pathogen Research and Human Health, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, USA
| | - Chih-Jen Lai
- Department of Cancer Biology and Infection Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Global Center for Pathogen Research and Human Health, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, USA
| | - Inho Cha
- Department of Cancer Biology and Infection Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Seokmin Kang
- Department of Cancer Biology and Infection Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Global Center for Pathogen Research and Human Health, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, USA
| | - Wan-Shan Yang
- Department of Cancer Biology and Infection Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Global Center for Pathogen Research and Human Health, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, USA
| | - Younho Choi
- Florida Research and Innovation Center, Cleveland Clinic, Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA
| | - Jae U Jung
- Department of Cancer Biology and Infection Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Global Center for Pathogen Research and Human Health, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, USA
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