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Vaccine2005; 23(30); 3915-3924; doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2005.03.006

A recombinant envelope protein vaccine against West Nile virus.

Abstract: West Nile (WN) virus is a flavivirus that first appeared in North America in 1999. Since then, more than 600 human deaths and 22,000 equine infections have been attributed to the virus in the United States. We expressed a truncated form of WN virus envelope (E) protein in Drosophila S2 cells. This soluble recombinant E protein was recognized by antibodies from naturally infected horses, indicating that it contains native epitopes. Mice and horses produced high-titer antibodies when immunized with recombinant E protein combined with aluminum hydroxide. Immunized mice were resistant to challenge with a lethal viral dose. Sera from immunized horses, administered to naive mice, conferred resistance against a lethal WN viral challenge. In addition, sera of immunized horses neutralized West Nile virus in vitro, as demonstrated by plaque reduction assays. This recombinant form of E protein, combined with aluminum hydroxide, is a candidate vaccine that may protect humans and horses against WN virus infections.
Publication Date: 2005-04-06 PubMed ID: 15917113DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2005.03.006Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • N.I.H.
  • Extramural
  • Research Support
  • U.S. Gov't
  • P.H.S.

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research investigates a vaccine against West Nile Virus, developed from a recombinant envelope protein of the virus, which when combined with aluminum hydroxide shows strong antibody responses in mice and horses and offers protection against lethal doses of the virus.

Objective of the Research

The study aims at developing a vaccine against West Nile Virus using a recombinant version of the West Nile Virus envelope protein, expressed in Drosophila S2 cells. The objective is to prove the efficacy of the vaccine in producing high-titer antibodies and providing resistance against lethal doses of the virus.

Methods and Procedure of Research

  • The researchers express a truncated form of WN virus envelope (E) protein in Drosophila S2 cells to create a soluble, recombinant E protein.
  • An initial analysis indicates that this recombinant protein contains native epitopes, as it is recognized by antibodies from naturally infected horses.
  • The researchers then proceed to immunize mice and horses with recombinant E protein combined with aluminum hydroxide to determine if this would stimulate the production of high-titer antibodies.
  • The immunized mice are subjected to a lethal dose of the WN virus to determine if the vaccine confers resistance.
  • Furthermore, sera derived from the immunized horses were administered to naive mice to test if this could confer resistance against a lethal WN viral challenge.

Results of Research

  • The results started to confirm that mice and horses immunized with the vaccine produced high-titer antibodies, proving the vaccine effective in stimulating an immune response.
  • Immunized mice demonstrated resistance when challenged with a lethal dose of the virus, implying the vaccine’s potential in preventing infection.
  • Similarly, the sera from immunized horses conferred resistance to naive mice exposed to lethal doses of the WN virus, thus evidencing the protective capabilities of vaccine-induced antibodies.
  • The sera from immunized horses also demonstrated the capability to neutralize the virus in vitro.

Conclusion

The research concludes that the recombinant E protein, combined with aluminum hydroxide, can be an effective vaccine against the West Nile Virus for horses and potentially humans. This vaccine creates a strong immune response and can protect against lethal exposures to the virus, hence becoming a promising candidate for countering WN virus infections.

Cite This Article

APA
Ledizet M, Kar K, Foellmer HG, Wang T, Bushmich SL, Anderson JF, Fikrig E, Koski RA. (2005). A recombinant envelope protein vaccine against West Nile virus. Vaccine, 23(30), 3915-3924. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2005.03.006

Publication

ISSN: 0264-410X
NlmUniqueID: 8406899
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 23
Issue: 30
Pages: 3915-3924

Researcher Affiliations

Ledizet, Michel
  • L2 Diagnostics, LLC, 300 George Street, New Haven, CT 06511, USA. michel.ledizet@L2dx.com
Kar, Kalipada
    Foellmer, Harald G
      Wang, Tian
        Bushmich, Sandra L
          Anderson, John F
            Fikrig, Erol
              Koski, Raymond A

                MeSH Terms

                • Adjuvants, Immunologic
                • Aluminum Hydroxide / pharmacology
                • Animals
                • Cells, Cultured
                • Drosophila
                • Female
                • Horses
                • Immunization, Passive
                • Immunoglobulin G / biosynthesis
                • Immunoglobulin G / genetics
                • Male
                • Mice
                • Mice, Inbred C57BL
                • Protein Conformation
                • Vaccines, Synthetic / immunology
                • Viral Envelope Proteins / genetics
                • Viral Envelope Proteins / immunology
                • Viral Plaque Assay
                • Viral Vaccines / immunology
                • West Nile Fever / prevention & control
                • West Nile virus / immunology

                Grant Funding

                • AI49646 / NIAID NIH HHS

                Citations

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