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Using Reverse Genetics to Manipulate the NSs Gene of the Rift Valley Fever Virus MP-12 Strain to Improve Vaccine Safety and Efficacy
Published on: November 1, 2011
MBT/Pas mouse: a relevant model for the evaluation of Rift Valley fever vaccines
Emna Ayari-Fakhfakh1, Tânia Zaverucha do Valle2,3, Laurent Guillemot2,3
1Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, 1002 Tunis Belvédère, Tunisia.
Abstract:
Currently, there are no worldwide licensed vaccines for Rift Valley fever (RVF) that are both safe and effective. Development and evaluation of vaccines, diagnostics and treatments depend on the availability of appropriate animal models. Animal models are also necessary to understand the basic pathobiology of infection. Here, we report the use of an inbred MBT/Pas mouse model that consistently reproduces RVF disease and serves our purpose for testing the efficacy of vaccine candidates; an attenuated Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) and a recombinant RVFV-capripoxvirus. We show that this model is relevant for vaccine testing.
Insights
Developing safe and effective Rift Valley fever (RVF) vaccines requires suitable animal models. This study demonstrates that the inbred MBT/Pas mouse model effectively reproduces RVF disease, proving relevant for vaccine efficacy testing.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Infectious Disease Research
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Rift Valley fever (RVF) poses a significant threat, yet no universally safe and effective vaccines are currently licensed worldwide.
- The development of vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments for RVF is hindered by the lack of appropriate animal models.
- Understanding RVF's basic pathobiology necessitates reliable animal models for experimental studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the utility of a specific inbred mouse model for studying Rift Valley fever (RVF).
- To evaluate the efficacy of potential vaccine candidates against RVF using this animal model.
- To establish a reproducible model for RVF research and vaccine development.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an inbred MBT/Pas mouse model to study Rift Valley fever (RVF) infection.
- Administered an attenuated Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) and a recombinant RVFV-capripoxvirus as vaccine candidates.
- Assessed the disease progression and efficacy of vaccine candidates in the established mouse model.
Main Results:
- The inbred MBT/Pas mouse model consistently reproduced RVF disease.
- The model proved effective for testing the efficacy of both the attenuated RVFV and the recombinant RVFV-capripoxvirus vaccine candidates.
- Demonstrated the relevance of this mouse model for RVF vaccine evaluation.
Conclusions:
- The inbred MBT/Pas mouse model is a suitable and relevant animal model for Rift Valley fever (RVF) research.
- This model facilitates the testing and development of novel RVF vaccine candidates.
- The findings support the use of this model for advancing RVF countermeasures.
