Abstract: Alphaviruses are important arthropod-transmitted pathogens of humans and livestock. Getah virus (GETV) is an arthritogenic alphavirus that causes disease in horses and piglets; it also poses a potential threat to humans. A live attenuated vaccine candidate named GETV-3ΔS2-CM1, harbouring a deletion in nonstructural protein 3 and substitutions in the capsid protein, is genetically stable and exhibits robust immunogenicity. It was shown to confer passive protection to piglets born to immunized sows. In mice, a single dose of GETV-3ΔS2-CM1 protected against infection with different strains of GETV, Semliki Forest virus, Ross River virus, o'nyong'nyong virus, chikungunya virus, and Barmah Forest virus. Chimaeras based on the GETV-3ΔS2-CM1 backbone maintained both the attenuated phenotype and high immunogenicity. The safety, efficacy, and ability to induce protection against multiple alphaviruses highlights the potential of GETV-3ΔS2-CM1 and chimaeras using this backbone as promising vaccine candidates. By contributing simultaneously to the wellbeing of animals and humans, our universal next generation vaccine strategy helps to achieve "One Health" goals.
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Overview
This study developed and tested an attenuated Getah virus vaccine candidate that provides protection not only against Getah virus but also against multiple related arthritogenic alphaviruses.
The vaccine showed safety, strong immune response, and cross-protection in animal models, indicating potential as a broad-spectrum alphavirus vaccine for both animals and humans.
Background
Alphaviruses are viruses transmitted by arthropods (like mosquitoes) and cause diseases in humans and livestock, often resulting in arthritis-like symptoms.
Getah virus (GETV) affects horses and piglets and could also infect humans, representing an emerging zoonotic threat.
Current vaccines for alphaviruses are limited, and there is a need for vaccines with broad protection against various alphaviruses.
Vaccine Development
The researchers engineered a live attenuated vaccine candidate named GETV-3ΔS2-CM1.
This vaccine strain has a deletion in the nonstructural protein 3 and specific mutations in the capsid protein to reduce virulence but maintain immune stimulation.
Genetic stability of the vaccine candidate was confirmed, ensuring that it does not revert to a harmful form.
Immunogenicity and Protection in Animals
The vaccine induced strong immune responses when administered to animals.
In piglets, passive protection was demonstrated by transfer of immunity from vaccinated sows to their offspring.
A single dose in mice protected against multiple alphavirus infections, including:
Different strains of Getah virus
Semliki Forest virus
Ross River virus
O’nyong’nyong virus
Chikungunya virus
Barmah Forest virus
This cross-protection suggests the vaccine induces broadly neutralizing immune responses against diverse alphaviruses.
Vaccine Variants and Stability
Chimaeras (genetically engineered viruses using the GETV-3ΔS2-CM1 backbone) were created.
These chimaeras retained the attenuated (weakened) phenotype, meaning they remained safe and non-virulent.
They also maintained high immunogenicity, confirming that the backbone can be used to develop other vaccine candidates targeting different alphaviruses.
Implications and Significance
The study highlights a promising next-generation vaccine strategy that targets multiple alphaviruses with one vaccine platform.
This approach supports the One Health concept by improving health outcomes for both animals (livestock) and humans, as alphaviruses can cross species barriers.
Such universal vaccines can potentially prevent outbreaks in animals and at the same time reduce the risk of human infections, addressing public health and agricultural concerns simultaneously.
Further development and clinical testing could lead to broadly protective alphavirus vaccines, helping control diseases caused by different arthritogenic alphaviruses worldwide.
Cite This Article
APA
Jiang Z, Merits A, Qin Y, Xing G, Zhang L, Chen J, Wang N, Varjak M, Zhai X, Li D, Song W, Su S.
(2024).
Attenuated Getah virus confers protection against multiple arthritogenic alphaviruses.
PLoS Pathog, 20(11), e1012700.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1012700
Sanya Institute of Nanjing Agricultural University, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory of Animal Immunology, Institute of Immunology and College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
Merits, Andres
Institute of Bioengineering, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
Qin, Ying
Sanya Institute of Nanjing Agricultural University, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory of Animal Immunology, Institute of Immunology and College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
Xing, Gang
MOA Key Laboratory of Animal Virology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Zhang, Letian
Sanya Institute of Nanjing Agricultural University, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory of Animal Immunology, Institute of Immunology and College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
Chen, Jie
Sanya Institute of Nanjing Agricultural University, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory of Animal Immunology, Institute of Immunology and College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
Wang, Ningning
Sanya Institute of Nanjing Agricultural University, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory of Animal Immunology, Institute of Immunology and College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
Varjak, Margus
Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
Zhai, Xiaofeng
Sanya Institute of Nanjing Agricultural University, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory of Animal Immunology, Institute of Immunology and College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
Li, Dongyan
Sanya Institute of Nanjing Agricultural University, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory of Animal Immunology, Institute of Immunology and College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
Song, Wanjie
Sanya Institute of Nanjing Agricultural University, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory of Animal Immunology, Institute of Immunology and College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
Su, Shuo
Sanya Institute of Nanjing Agricultural University, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory of Animal Immunology, Institute of Immunology and College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
MeSH Terms
Animals
Alphavirus / immunology
Alphavirus / genetics
Alphavirus Infections / prevention & control
Alphavirus Infections / immunology
Alphavirus Infections / virology
Mice
Vaccines, Attenuated / immunology
Viral Vaccines / immunology
Swine
Horses
Female
Antibodies, Viral / immunology
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
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