Article
Immunology
Ting Bian, Busen Wang, Guangcheng Fu, Meng Hao, Yi Chen, Ting Fang, Shuling Liu, Changming Yu, Jianmin Li, Wei Chen
Summary: Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a severe pathogen with no approved vaccine for prevention. In this study, a new vaccine candidate, Ad4-GnGc, was developed and shown to induce strong immune responses in mice, protecting them from lethal infection. Importantly, Ad4-GnGc was effective even in the presence of pre-existing immunity to adenovirus serotype 5.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Delphine C. Malherbe, Drishya Kurup, Christoph Wirblich, Adam J. Ronk, Chad Mire, Natalia Kuzmina, Noor Shaik, Sivakumar Periasamy, Matthew A. Hyde, Julie M. Williams, Pei-Yong Shi, Matthias J. Schnell, Alexander Bukreyev
Summary: The study developed a SARS-CoV-2 ConVac vaccine which, through animal experiments, showed that a single dose of the vaccine could rapidly control viral replication after disease challenge, protecting animals from weight loss and lung virus replication, with some inflammation still detected.
Article
Immunology
Patricia Perez, Adrian Lazaro-Frias, Carmen Zamora, Pedro J. Sanchez-Cordon, David Astorgano, Joanna Luczkowiak, Rafael Delgado, Jose M. Casasnovas, Mariano Esteban, Juan Garcia-Arriaza
Summary: Researchers developed an optimized COVID-19 vaccine candidate using a modified vaccinia virus Ankara vector, which expressed a full-length prefusion-stabilized SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The vaccine showed enhanced immunogenicity and efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 in animal models, making it a promising candidate for clinical trials.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Meng Hao, Ting Bian, Guangcheng Fu, Yi Chen, Ting Fang, Chuanyi Zhao, Shuling Liu, Changming Yu, Jianmin Li, Wei Chen
Summary: This study focuses on Rift valley fever virus (RVFV), a bunyavirus transmitted by mosquitoes that causes severe diseases in animals and humans. The researchers developed a potential vaccine and tested its immunogenicity and protective efficacy in mice, showing promising results. However, further research is needed to confirm its efficacy in a natural animal host and to potentially progress as a vaccine candidate for humans.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yun Yang, Shuang Ge, Zhen Song, Anni Zhao, Liqun Zhao, Zhiming Hu, Dingyi Cai, Zelong Zhang, Liusheng Peng, Dongshui Lu, Ping Luo, Weijun Zhang, Hongwu Sun, Quanming Zou, Hao Zeng
Summary: Epitope peptides are not ideal for nasal administration immunity due to low immunogenicity and poor delivery efficiency. An intranasal self-assembled nanovaccine (I-OVA NE) loaded with IKVAV-OVA257-264 peptides showed enhanced antigen uptake and prolonged nasal residence time in vivo, leading to the induction of peptide-specific CD8+T cells and protective immunity in tumor-bearing mice.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Petra Mooij, Juan Garcia-Arriaza, Patricia Perez, Adrian Lazaro-Frias, Babs E. Verstrepen, Kinga P. Boszormenyi, Daniella Mortier, Zahra Fagrouch, Gwendoline Kiemenyi-Kayere, Henk Niphuis, Roja Fidel Acar, Lisette Meijer, Marieke A. Stammes, Ivanela Kondova, Ernst J. Verschoor, Corine H. GeurtsvanKessel, Erwin de Bruin, Reina S. Sikkema, Joanna Luczkowiak, Rafael Delgado, Dolores Montenegro, Eugenia Puentes, Esteban Rodriguez, Willy M. J. M. Bogers, Gerrit Koopman, Mariano Esteban
Summary: This study demonstrates that a modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) vector expressing a full-length SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein (MVA-S) vaccine has good safety and high immunogenicity in rhesus macaques. Vaccination with MVA-S can induce neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, reduce viral loads, and alleviate lung pathology caused by the disease. The findings support the potential use of MVA-S as a vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 in clinical trials.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Lisa Henning, Kathrin Endt, Robin Steigerwald, Michael Anderson, Ariane Volkmann
Summary: This study evaluated the immunogenicity and efficacy of EEV vaccines based on the MVA-BN(R) platform in mice, finding that monovalent and trivalent EEV vaccines induced neutralizing antibodies and T cell responses effectively, demonstrating complete protective efficacy against both homologous and heterologous EEV exposures.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Michela Falqui, Beatriz Perdiguero, Rocio Coloma, Manuel Albert, Laura Marcos-Villar, Joseph Patrick McGrail, Carlos Oscar S. Sorzano, Mariano Esteban, Carmen Elena Gomez, Susana Guerra
Summary: ISG15 is a protein that plays a critical role in the immune response and has been shown to enhance the immune stimulatory activity of HIV vaccines. It can interact with intracellular proteins via reversible or non-covalent binding, and has the potential to be a relevant component in HIV-1 immunization protocols.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Guodong Zhou, Jiashuo Tian, Yichen Tian, Qifeng Ma, Quan Li, Shifeng Wang, Huoying Shi
Summary: A recombinant attenuated salmonella vector was used to synthesize the surface protein PlpE of Pasteurella multocida, resulting in a vaccine candidate. The vaccine candidate induced specific immune responses and provided good protection against challenge with wild-type P. multocida in mice. It has the potential to be used as a universal vaccine against multiple serotypes of P. multocida in livestock.
BMC VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Shiwen Peng, Deyin Xing, Louise Ferrall, Ya-Chea Tsai, Chien-Fu Hung, T-C Wu
Summary: In this study, the authors characterized HPV18 E6/E7-specific CD8 + T cell epitopes in human HLA class I transgenic mice and identified a mutant HPV18E6 that retains its oncogenic properties, which has significant implications for vaccine development and treatment of HPV-related cancers.
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Patricia Perez, David Astorgano, Guillermo Albericio, Sara Flores, Pedro J. Sanchez-Cordon, Joanna Luczkowiak, Rafael Delgado, Jose M. Casasnovas, Mariano Esteban, Juan Garcia-Arriaza
Summary: Intranasal administration of vaccines can induce mucosal and systemic immune responses, protecting animals from SARS-CoV-2 infection and preventing virus transmission.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Hana Pilna, Vera Hajkova, Jarmila Knitlova, Jana Liskova, Jana Elsterova, Zora Melkova
Summary: Vaccinia virus inhibits host immune response and interferes with type I interferon production in atopic skin. A recombinant virus expressing IRF-3 was generated to overcome this issue, leading to superior immune response induction in mice.
Article
Immunology
Qingmei Jia, Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann, Rachel M. Maison, Sasa Maslesa-Galic, Sarah K. Cooper, Richard A. Bowen, Marcus A. Horwitz
Summary: A vaccine generated using the LVS Delta capB vector platform has shown protection in golden Syrian hamsters, potentially serving as a universal vaccine against pandemic causing beta-coronaviruses, with good safety and affordability.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Andrey Romanyuk, Ruixue Wang, Alexander Marin, Benjamin M. M. Janus, Eric I. I. Felner, Dengning Xia, Yenny Goez-Gazi, Kendra J. J. Alfson, Abdul S. S. Yunus, Eric A. A. Toth, Gilad Ofek, Ricardo Carrion Jr, Mark R. R. Prausnitz, Thomas R. R. Fuerst, Alexander K. K. Andrianov
Summary: This study describes a novel MN technology that combines EBOV GP antigen with a polyphosphazene-based immunoadjuvant and vaccine delivery system. The prepared dissolvable EBOV GP MN patch vaccine showed superior antigenicity compared to a non-polyphosphazene polymer-based analog. Mice vaccinated with the polyphosphazene-based MN patches exhibited strong antibody responses against EBOV GP and complete protection against lethal challenge.
JOURNAL OF FUNCTIONAL BIOMATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
V. N. Montenegro, J. M. Jaramillo-Ortiz, M. S. Paoletta, M. J. Gravisaco, M. P. Del Medico Zajac, D. P. Garanzini, M. N. Valenzano, G. Calamante, S. E. Wilkowsky
Summary: This study aimed to design new Babesia bigemina immunogens and evaluate their effect on the immune responses in mice. Recombinant antigens and modified vaccinia virus Ankara vectors were used in different immunization schemes. The results showed that the vaccines containing the antigens induced activation of antigen-specific T cell responses and the production of neutralizing antibodies.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Pauline Dianne Santos, Friederike Michel, Claudia Wylezich, Dirk Hoper, Markus Keller, Cora M. Holicki, Claudia A. Szentiks, Martin Eiden, Aemero Muluneh, Antonie Neubauer-Juric, Sabine Thalheim, Anja Globig, Martin Beer, Martin H. Groschup, Ute Ziegler
Summary: The emergence of WNV and USUV in Europe caused significant outbreaks leading to avifauna mortality and human infections. In Germany, a bird surveillance network was established to monitor these zoonotic arthropod-borne viruses. Co-infections of WNV and USUV were detected in dead birds, with WNV strains classified as lineage 2 and USUV strains as lineages Africa 2, Africa 3, and Europe 2. Further reports of co-infections in animals and humans are expected in the future.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Franziska Stoek, Melanie Rissmann, Reiner Ulrich, Martin Eiden, Martin H. Groschup
Summary: Black rats showed high susceptibility to Rift Valley fever virus infection without clinical manifestation or histopathological lesions, indicating their potential role in the transmission cycle. No evidence of horizontal transmission was found in contact animals, but infected rats showed viral shedding in oral, rectal, and conjunctival routes.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Cristina Aira Pino, Maren Penning, Martin Eiden, Anne Balkema-Buschmann, Sandra Blome, Katrin Strutzberg-Minder, Lissett Lopez, Paloma Rueda, Patricia Sastre
Summary: The livestock industry is crucial for the livelihood of around 1.3 billion people worldwide, with the swine industry contributing significantly. Continuous sero-surveillance is essential for targeted veterinary public health interventions and prevention strategies. Multiplex assays are powerful tools that can simplify surveillance programs.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Virology
Lukas Mathias Michaely, Melanie Rissmann, Markus Keller, Rebecca Koenig, Felicitas von Arnim, Martin Eiden, Karl Rohn, Wolfgang Baumgaertner, Martin Groschup, Reiner Ulrich
Summary: The interferon type 1 response is critical for controlling RVFV replication and disease, while functional NK cells, macrophages, and lymphocytes are essential for virus clearance during RVFV infection.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Osvaldo Daniel Cortazar, Ana Megia-Macias, Sandra Moreno, Alejandro Brun, Eduardo Gomez-Casado
Summary: This study demonstrates the capability of Plasma Activated Media (PAM) to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 and PR8 H1N1 influenza virus without damaging healthy cells, acting through virus detachment and reduced replication. Furthermore, PAM treatment does not induce inflammation. These findings open up a new research avenue for the development of novel treatments for COVID-19, influenza, and other respiratory diseases using PAM.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Belen Borrego, Sandra Moreno, Alvaro Lopez-Valinas, Nuria de la Losa, Friedemann Weber, Jose Ignacio Nunez, Alejandro Brun
Summary: Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an arboviral zoonotic disease that affects African countries and has the potential to spread to other areas. Researchers have analyzed the effect of viral mutations on RVF virulence and provided important information for the safety improvement of novel live attenuated RVFV vaccines.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Ute Ziegler, Felicitas Bergmann, Dominik Fischer, Kerstin Mueller, Cora M. Holicki, Balal Sadeghi, Michael Sieg, Markus Keller, Rebekka Schwehn, Maximilian Reuschel, Luisa Fischer, Oliver Krone, Monika Rinder, Karolin Schuette, Volker Schmidt, Martin Eiden, Christine Fast, Anne Gunther, Anja Globig, Franz J. Conraths, Christoph Staubach, Florian Brandes, Michael Lierz, Ruediger Korbel, Thomas W. Vahlenkamp, Martin H. Groschup
Summary: This report summarizes the monitoring results of birds in different regions of Germany, identifying the circulation of USUV and WNV, as well as analyzing the seroprevalence of the viruses in different regions. The findings suggest that wild bird monitoring can serve as an early warning system for predicting human exposure risk.
Article
Microbiology
Filip Cierniak, Rainer G. Ulrich, Martin H. Groschup, Martin Eiden
Summary: Zoonotic hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is an emerging cause of acute viral hepatitis in developed countries. Rabbit-derived HEV strains pose a particular risk for zoonotic infection. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of HEV pathogenesis is limited due to the lack of efficient cell culture systems. By developing a chimeric reporter replicon system, researchers found that HEV replication in HepG2 cells is determined by an interplay of longer segments of the nonstructural polyprotein rather than a single domain. This implies that a specific combination of viral factors is required for efficient HEV propagation in cell culture.
Article
Virology
Hannah Reemtsma, Cora M. Holicki, Christine Fast, Felicitas Bergmann, Martin Eiden, Martin H. Groschup, Ute Ziegler
Summary: West Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging infectious pathogen that circulates between mosquitoes and birds, causing mortality in avifauna and occasional diseases in humans and horses. A study in Germany infected 15 goslings with WNV and found that the geese developed viremia and shed virus, but they are not considered as important amplifying hosts for the virus. Geese can be used as sentinel animals for WNV surveillance.
Article
Microbiology
Grit Priemer, Filip Cierniak, Carola Wolf, Rainer G. Ulrich, Martin H. Groschup, Martin Eiden
Summary: Hepatitis E is a major cause of acute liver disease in humans worldwide, and it is primarily transmitted in Europe through zoonotic foodborne transmission from domestic pigs, wild boar, rabbits, and deer. This study investigated pig and wild boar samples collected in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany in 2019, and found a high, but varying prevalence of HEV RNA in these animals. The study highlights the importance of establishing sustainable surveillance and treatment strategies at the interface between humans, animals, and the environment to prevent foodborne HEV infection.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Maria A. Risalde, Mario Frias, Javier Caballero-Gomez, Pedro Lopez-Lopez, Christine Fast, Saul Jimenez-Ruiz, Irene Agullo-Ros, Martin Eiden, Debora Jimenez-Martin, Ignacio Garcia-Bocanegra, Antonio Rivero, Jose Carlos Gomez Villamandos, Antonio Rivero-Juarez
Summary: The study found that HEV was present in the testis of naturally infected wild boars, indicating potential implications for transmission and epidemiology.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Virology
Lukas Mathias Michaely, Melanie Rissmann, Federico Armando, Felicitas von Arnim, Markus Keller, Martin Eiden, Rebecca Koenig, Benjamin Gutjahr, Wolfgang Baumgaertner, Martin H. Groschup, Reiner Ulrich
Summary: This study investigates the pathomechanism of intranuclear inclusion body formation in severe Rift Valley fever using a mouse model. The results suggest that the intranuclear accumulation of RVFV NSs is involved in the nuclear translocation of active caspase-3, and both nuclear NSs and active caspase-3 are involved in the formation of visible inclusion bodies. This research is important for understanding severe complications caused by Rift Valley fever virus.
Article
Microbiology
Ansgar Schulz, Balal Sadeghi, Franziska Stoek, Jacqueline King, Kerstin Fischer, Anne Pohlmann, Martin Eiden, Martin H. Groschup
Summary: By sequencing samples of arboviruses circulating in Africa, we demonstrated the effectiveness of a nonspecific sequencing technique, SISPA, in generating complete genomes without the need for virus-specific whole-genome PCRs. The results of this study may contribute to a better understanding of the genetic diversity of neglected arboviruses.
Article
Immunology
Maria M. Lorenzo, Alejandro Marin-Lopez, Kevin Chiem, Luis Jimenez-Cabello, Irfan Ullah, Sergio Utrilla-Trigo, Eva Calvo-Pinilla, Gema Lorenzo, Sandra Moreno, Chengjin Ye, Jun-Gyu Park, Alejandro Matia, Alejandro Brun, Juana M. Sanchez-Puig, Aitor Nogales, Walther Mothes, Pradeep D. Uchil, Priti Kumar, Javier Ortego, Erol Fikrig, Luis Martinez-Sobrido, Rafael Blasco
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need for fast responses and reliable technologies for vaccine development. This study reports on the construction and preclinical testing of a recombinant MVA vaccine, with the MVA-Spf vaccine candidate showing higher levels of antibodies, a stronger T cell response, and a higher degree of protection.