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Home / Equine Research Bank / Infect Immun / Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus-vectored vaccines prote...
Infection and immunity2003; 71(3); 1491-1496; doi: 10.1128/IAI.71.3.1491-1496.2003

Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus-vectored vaccines protect mice against anthrax spore challenge.

Abstract: Anthrax, a disease usually associated with herbivores, is caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. The current vaccine licensed for human use requires a six-dose primary series and yearly boosters and causes reactogenicity in up to 30% of vaccine recipients. A minimally reactogenic vaccine requiring fewer inoculations is warranted. Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus has been configured for use as a vaccine vector for a wide variety of immunogens. The VEE vaccine vector is composed of a self-replicating RNA (replicon) containing all of the VEE virus nonstructural genes and a multiple-cloning site in place of the VEE structural genes. Four different anthrax vaccines were constructed by cloning the protective antigen (PA) gene from B. anthracis into the VEE vaccine vector. The anthrax vaccines were produced by assembling the vectors into propagation-deficient VEE replicon particles in vitro. A/J mice inoculated subcutaneously with three doses of the mature 83-kDa PA vaccine were completely protected from challenge with the Sterne strain of B. anthracis. Similar results were obtained with vaccines composed of the PA gene fused to either the B. anthracis secretory sequence or to a tissue plasminogen activator secretory sequence in three additional mouse strains. Mice were unprotected from challenge after inoculation with the carboxy-terminal 63-kDa PA vaccine. These results suggest that these VEE-vectored vaccines may be suitable as candidate vaccines against anthrax.
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Publication Date: 2003-02-22 PubMed ID: 12595467PubMed Central: PMC148867DOI: 10.1128/IAI.71.3.1491-1496.2003Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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.

This research paper discusses the development and testing of anthrax vaccines using genetically modified Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus as carriers. The study shows promising results with the anthrax vaccines, offering full protection against the disease in various mouse strains.

Objective of the Research

  • The primary aim of this study was to develop a new anthrax vaccine using Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus as a vector. This was encouraged by the need to create a minimally reactogenic vaccine that requires fewer inoculations than the currently used human anthrax vaccine.

About Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus

  • VEE virus has been adapted for use as a vaccine carrier for various immunogens. This viral vector features a self-replicating RNA replicon holding all of VEE virus’s nonstructural genes and a multiple-cloning site replacing the structural genes of the VEE virus.

Development of Anthrax Vaccines

  • Four different anthrax vaccines were created by introducing a protective antigen (PA) gene from Bacillus anthracis, the bacterium that causes anthrax, into the VEE vaccine vector.
  • The anthrax vaccines were produced by assembling the modified vectors into propagation-deficient VEE replicon particles in vitro.

Testing of the Vaccines

  • Mouse model was used to test the effectiveness of the anthrax vaccines. A/J mouse strain inoculated subcutaneously with three doses of mature 83-kDa PA vaccine displayed complete protection from anthrax using the Sterne strain of Bacillus anthracis.
  • Similar protection results were noted with vaccines utilizing PA gene fused to either a Bacillus anthracis secretory sequence or a tissue plasminogen activator secretory sequence in three additional mouse strains.
  • However, mice remained unprotected from anthrax after inoculation with the carboxy-terminal 63-kDa PA vaccine.

Implications of the Research

  • Given the successful results of the study, these VEE-vectored vaccines indicate promise as potential vaccines against anthrax, especially considering the limitations of the current vaccine used on humans.

Cite This Article

APA
Lee JS, Hadjipanayis AG, Welkos SL. (2003). Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus-vectored vaccines protect mice against anthrax spore challenge. Infect Immun, 71(3), 1491-1496. https://doi.org/10.1128/IAI.71.3.1491-1496.2003

Publication

Infection and immunity
ISSN: 0019-9567
NlmUniqueID: 0246127
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 71
Issue: 3
Pages: 1491-1496

Researcher Affiliations

Lee, John S
  • Virology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA. John.Lee@det.amedd.army.mil
Hadjipanayis, Angela G
    Welkos, Susan L

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Anthrax Vaccines / immunology
      • Antibodies, Bacterial / biosynthesis
      • Antigens, Bacterial
      • Bacillus anthracis / pathogenicity
      • Bacterial Toxins / genetics
      • Bacterial Toxins / immunology
      • Encephalitis Virus, Venezuelan Equine / genetics
      • Genetic Vectors
      • Mice
      • Species Specificity
      • Spores, Bacterial / pathogenicity
      • Vaccination
      • Vaccines, Synthetic / immunology

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