Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Multicolor Flow Cytometry Analyses of Cellular Immune Response in Rhesus Macaques
07:11

Multicolor Flow Cytometry Analyses of Cellular Immune Response in Rhesus Macaques

Published on: April 22, 2010

Recombinant (F1+V) vaccine protects cynomolgus macaques against pneumonic plague

E D Williamson1, P J Packer, E L Waters

  • 1Dstl PortonDown, Salisbury, Wilts SP4 0JQ, UK. dewilliamson@dstl.gov.uk

Vaccine
|May 17, 2011
PubMed

Insights

A novel plague vaccine demonstrated full protection in cynomolgus macaques against pneumonic plague. This vaccine, targeting Yersinia pestis, induced functional antibody responses, highlighting the importance of dual antigen immunity for effective plague prevention.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Vaccinology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Pneumonic plague remains a significant biothreat.
  • Existing plague vaccines have limitations in efficacy and safety.
  • Development of effective vaccines against Yersinia pestis is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of a recombinant F1 and V antigen (rF1+rV) vaccine against pneumonic plague in a non-human primate model.
  • To assess the immunogenicity and functional antibody responses induced by the rF1+rV vaccine.
  • To determine the protective immunity conferred by different vaccine dosage levels.

Main Methods:

  • Cynomolgus macaques were immunized with two doses of the rF1+rV vaccine at 40 μg or 80 μg.
  • Animals were challenged via inhalation with Yersinia pestis strain CO92 at week 8 post-vaccination.
  • Humoral immune responses, including specific IgG titres and functional antibody assays (competitive ELISA), were measured.
  • Protection was assessed based on survival and absence of pneumonic plague.

Main Results:

  • The 80 μg dose group showed full protection against pneumonic plague, with high IgG titres to both rF1 and rV antigens.
  • The 40 μg dose group demonstrated high protection rates, with one animal succumbing due to insufficient antibody responses.
  • Functional antibodies against rV antigen were detected in all vaccinated animals, indicating a functional immune response.
  • Antibody titres and functional responses correlated with protection, emphasizing the need for immunity to both vaccine components.

Conclusions:

  • The rF1+rV vaccine is safe, immunogenic, and protective against pneumonic plague in cynomolgus macaques at the tested dosage regimen.
  • Immunity to both F1 and V antigens is essential for achieving protective efficacy against plague.
  • This vaccine candidate represents a promising approach for preventing pneumonic plague.

More Related Videos

Analysis of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-specific CD8+ T-cells in Rhesus Macaques by Peptide-MHC-I Tetramer Staining06:25

Analysis of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-specific CD8+ T-cells in Rhesus Macaques by Peptide-MHC-I Tetramer Staining

Published on: December 23, 2016

Protocol for Recombinant RBD-based SARS Vaccines: Protein Preparation, Animal Vaccination and Neutralization Detection12:09

Protocol for Recombinant RBD-based SARS Vaccines: Protein Preparation, Animal Vaccination and Neutralization Detection

Published on: May 2, 2011

Related Concept Videos

Vaccinations01:51

Vaccinations

Overview
Cross-reactivity00:42

Cross-reactivity

Overview
Viral Recombination00:57

Viral Recombination

Cells are sometimes infected by more than one virus at once. When two viruses disassemble to expose their genomes for replication in the same cell, similar regions of their genomes can pair together and exchange sequences in a process called recombination. Alternatively, viruses with segmented genomes can swap segments in a process called reassortment.
Smallpox01:24

Smallpox

Smallpox is a severe contagious disease caused by the Variola major virus, a double-stranded DNA member of the Poxviridae family.Variola major transmission occurs primarily via inhalation of virus-laden droplets or direct contact with infectious scabs. The incubation period averages approximately seven days, although it may range from 7 to 17 days depending on the inoculum and host factors.Clinically, the prodromal phase is marked by an abrupt onset of high fever, malaise, headache, and myalgia.