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Updated: May 16, 2025
Optimization of a Quantitative Micro-neutralization Assay
Published on: December 14, 2016
Comparison of the induction of neutralizing antibodies against Bas congo virus using several vaccine modalities
Eun-Sil Park1, Tomoki Yoshikawa2, Hideki Tani3
1Department of Veterinary Science, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Japan Institute for Health Security, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan. peunsil@niid.go.jp.
Abstract:
The Bas-Congo virus (BASV) is a novel rhabdovirus that causes viral hemorrhagic fever in 2009. Since BASV has not been isolated, there is limited information on BASV, and potential therapeutics or vaccines have not yet been developed. In the present study, we used the synthetic cDNA of the BASV-G protein to develop 4 different types of vaccine, using a recombinant BASV-G protein, a plasmid DNA that expresses the BASV-G protein, a recombinant vaccinia virus that expresses the BASV-G protein, and a pseudotype virus based on hydrogen peroxide-inactivated vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) that expresses the BASV-G protein (BASVpv). BASVpv was generated and used for the evaluation of neutralizing antibodies and the induction of virus neutralizing antibody upon inoculation (BASVpv/GFP) of these candidates in rabbits. The results showed that both the recombinant vaccinia virus and the hydrogen peroxide-inactivated VLPs effectively induced neutralizing antibodies, even with a single inoculation.
Insights
Researchers developed novel vaccines against Bas-Congo virus (BASV), a hemorrhagic fever pathogen. Two vaccine candidates, a recombinant vaccinia virus and inactivated virus-like particles, effectively induced neutralizing antibodies in rabbits after a single dose.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Vaccinology
- Immunology
Background:
- Bas-Congo virus (BASV) is an emerging rhabdovirus responsible for viral hemorrhagic fever.
- Limited information exists on BASV due to its uncultivated status, hindering therapeutic and vaccine development.
- The BASV-G protein is a key target for vaccine strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate novel vaccine candidates against Bas-Congo virus (BASV).
- To assess the immunogenicity of different vaccine platforms expressing the BASV-G protein.
- To determine the ability of vaccine candidates to induce virus-neutralizing antibodies.
Main Methods:
- Developed four vaccine candidates using synthetic BASV-G protein cDNA: recombinant protein, DNA plasmid, recombinant vaccinia virus, and pseudotype virus (BASVpv).
- Utilized a pseudotype virus (BASVpv) based on hydrogen peroxide-inactivated vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) expressing BASV-G.
- Evaluated neutralizing antibody induction in rabbits following inoculation with vaccine candidates, including BASVpv/GFP.
Main Results:
- Both the recombinant vaccinia virus expressing BASV-G and the hydrogen peroxide-inactivated pseudotype virus (BASVpv) demonstrated efficacy.
- These candidates effectively induced virus-neutralizing antibodies in rabbits.
- Significant antibody response was observed even after a single inoculation.
Conclusions:
- Recombinant vaccinia virus and inactivated pseudotype virus-like particles are promising vaccine platforms for BASV.
- These candidates show potential for inducing protective immunity against Bas-Congo virus.
- Further development is warranted for these effective vaccine strategies against BASV hemorrhagic fever.
