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[The effect of myelopeptides on the persistence of tick-borne encephalitis virus in monkeys]
Abstract:
Myelopeptides (MP), bioregulatory molecules of bone marrow origin, exert a protective effect in persistence of tick-borne encephalitis virus in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). The experiments involved 32 monkeys. The effect of MP was observed after one or two subcutaneous injections in a dose of 1 mg within 1.5-2 months after virus infection. The effect consists in 25-fold reduction of the frequency of virus persistence, marked limitation of the zone of spread of the persisting virus, including the central nervous system (CNS), decrease in virulence of the persisting virus, and lack of morphological signs of progress of the pathological process in the CNS. The protective effect was also observed when the infected monkeys were treated with MP and inactivated concentrated TBE vaccine. At the same time, the vaccine alone exerted a much less marked effect on the persisting TBE virus producing only a 2-fold reduction in the frequency of persistence without limitation of the zones of virus spread. In acute TBE in BALB/c mice, the effect of MP is observed irregularly. The marked protective effect of MP in TBE virus persistence in monkeys is not associated with stimulation of humoral immunity but is mediated by other immunological mechanisms requiring further study.
Insights
Myelopeptides (MP) significantly reduce tick-borne encephalitis virus persistence in monkeys by limiting viral spread and decreasing virulence. This protective effect, observed in cynomolgus monkeys, suggests novel therapeutic avenues for TBE virus infection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Neuroscience
Context:
- Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) poses a significant public health challenge, with persistent infections leading to severe neurological complications.
- Cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) serve as a relevant model for studying TBE virus (TBEV) pathogenesis and evaluating potential therapeutics.
- Myelopeptides (MP), bioregulatory molecules derived from bone marrow, have demonstrated immunomodulatory properties.
Purpose:
- To investigate the protective effect of Myelopeptides (MP) against persistent tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) infection in cynomolgus monkeys.
- To compare the efficacy of MP with inactivated TBEV vaccine in managing TBEV persistence.
- To explore the immunological mechanisms underlying the protective effects of MP.
Summary:
- Subcutaneous administration of Myelopeptides (MP) in cynomolgus monkeys resulted in a 25-fold reduction in TBEV persistence frequency.
- MP treatment markedly limited the spread of persisting TBEV, including to the central nervous system (CNS), and reduced viral virulence.
- MP demonstrated a protective effect, even when administered with an inactivated TBEV vaccine, which alone had a less pronounced impact.
- In contrast, MP showed irregular effects in BALB/c mice with acute TBE.
- The protective effect of MP in TBEV persistence is not linked to humoral immunity stimulation but involves other immunological pathways.
Impact:
- Myelopeptides (MP) show significant potential as a therapeutic agent for managing persistent TBE virus infections.
- The findings highlight novel immunological mechanisms for controlling viral persistence, distinct from traditional vaccine-induced humoral immunity.
- This research opens avenues for developing new strategies to mitigate the long-term neurological sequelae of TBE.