Human adenovirus species B knob proteins as immunogens for inducing cross-neutralizing antibody responses

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Immunology
• Vaccine Development

Background:

• Human adenovirus (HAdV) species B types 3, 7, 14, and 55 cause severe respiratory illness.
• There is a critical need for multivalent vaccines against these re-emerging HAdV strains.
• Current vaccines do not offer broad-spectrum protection against diverse HAdV species B types.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the immunogenicity of HAdV species B knob proteins.
• To evaluate the potential of knob proteins in eliciting cross-neutralizing antibody responses.
• To assess the protective efficacy of HAdV knob protein immunization against HAdV challenge.

Main Methods:

• Evaluation of humoral immune responses to HAdV species B knob proteins in mice (in vivo and in vitro).
• Assessment of binding and neutralizing antibody titers post-immunization.
• Testing cross-neutralizing activity of antisera against various HAdV species B members.
• Challenging immunized Chinese tree shrews with HAdV to evaluate protection.

Main Results:

• HAdV species B knob proteins elicited robust binding and neutralizing antibody responses in mice after three immunizations.
• Mouse antisera demonstrated cross-neutralizing activity against original species B HAdV members.
• Immunization with a mix of HAdV-3, 7, and 55 knob proteins conferred protection in Chinese tree shrews against experimental HAdV challenge.

Conclusions:

• HAdV species B knob proteins are immunogenic and can induce broadly reactive neutralizing antibodies.
• Recombinant HAdV knob proteins represent a promising candidate for developing multivalent vaccines against severe HAdV respiratory infections.
• This study provides valuable insights into the immunogenicity of HAdV species B knob proteins for future vaccine design.