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Influenza A Virus Studies in a Mouse Model of Infection
Published on: September 7, 2017
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Arthritogenic Alphavirus Vaccines: Serogrouping Versus Cross-Protection in Mouse Models
Wilson Nguyen1, Eri Nakayama1,2, Kexin Yan1
1Inflammation Biology Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane 4029, Australia.
Vaccines
|May 9, 2020
Summary
Cross-protection against arthritogenic alphaviruses like Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is possible but often suboptimal. Vaccines targeting one virus may not fully protect against related viruses, requiring higher doses for effective cross-protection.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Arthritogenic alphaviruses, including Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), Ross River virus (RRV), and Getah virus (GETV), share antigenic similarities.
- Antibodies against one alphavirus can cross-react with others, suggesting potential for cross-protection.
- Developing vaccines against one alphavirus could theoretically offer protection against related viruses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cross-protection against viremia after challenge with different arthritogenic alphaviruses.
- To evaluate the efficacy of existing vaccines in inducing cross-protective immune responses.
- To assess the potential for broad-spectrum protection within the Semliki Forest virus antigenic complex.
Main Methods:
- Infection of wild-type and Rag1-/- mice with various human alphavirus isolates, including a new RRV isolate.
- Challenge studies to assess viremia after infection with heterologous alphaviruses.
- Evaluation of a recombinant poxvirus-based CHIKV vaccine and a commercial GETV vaccine for cross-protective capacity.
Main Results:
- Cross-protection and cross-reactivity were observed but were not universal or consistently effective.
- Homologous vaccine-induced protection was significantly more potent than heterologous cross-protection.
- Even between closely related viruses like CHIKV and o'nyong nyong virus (ONNV), cross-protection was suboptimal.
Conclusions:
- While some cross-protection exists among arthritogenic alphaviruses, it is often insufficient for robust defense.
- Achieving effective vaccine-mediated cross-protection may necessitate higher vaccine doses or multiple immunizations.
- Current vaccine strategies may not be optimal for broad-spectrum protection against antigenically related alphaviruses, posing challenges for development and regulatory approval.
