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Towards an Original Anti-ASFV Vaccine: Cellular Immunity Induced by Extracellular Vesicles Engineered with ASFV
Francesco Manfredi1, Flavia Ferrantelli1, Chiara Chiozzini1
1National Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
Vaccines
|June 25, 2026
Summary
Researchers engineered extracellular vesicles (EVs) to express African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) proteins, inducing a cellular immune response. This novel vaccine approach shows promise for controlling ASFV, a major threat to swine health and food security.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Immunology
- Vaccine Development
- Molecular Virology
Background:
- African Swine Fever (ASF) poses a significant threat to global animal health and food security.
- The African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) is the causative agent, necessitating effective control strategies.
- Current research explores novel vaccine approaches targeting cellular immunity against ASFV.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate an ex vivo vaccine strategy using engineered extracellular vesicles (EVs) to induce cellular immunity against ASFV.
- To assess the incorporation of ASFV proteins into EVs and their immunogenic potential.
- To investigate the cross-presentation capabilities of engineered EVs by antigen-presenting cells.
Main Methods:
- DNA vectors were designed to fuse HIV-1 Nef (Nefmut) with four ASFV structural proteins (p30, p54, pp62, p72).
- Engineered EVs expressing these fusion proteins were characterized using Western blot and nanotrack analysis.
- Immunogenicity was assessed via priming assays using swine dendritic cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes, with IFN-γ ELISpot detection.
Main Results:
- Successful expression and incorporation of ASFV-Nefmut fusion proteins into EVs were confirmed.
- Priming assays demonstrated the elicitation of lymphocyte subpopulations specifically reactive against ASFV antigens.
- Evidence of cross-presentation of ASFV antigens by engineered EVs, leading to lymphocyte cross-priming, was observed.
Conclusions:
- Engineered EVs expressing ASFV proteins successfully induced antigen-specific T-cell responses in vitro.
- The Nefmut-based EV system demonstrates potential for cross-presentation, a key mechanism for adaptive immunity.
- These findings provide a strong foundation for further in vivo studies on pig immunogenicity and antiviral efficacy.
