Induction of Humoral and Cell-mediated Immunity to the NS1 Protein of TBEV with Recombinant Influenza Virus and MVA Affords Partial Protection Against Lethal TBEV Infection in Mice

Overview

Journal Front Immunol

Specialty Allergy & Immunology

Date 2023 Jul 24

PMID 37483628

Authors

Jana Beicht

Mareike Kubinski

Isabel Zdora

Christina Puff

Jeannine Biermann

Thomas Gerlach

Wolfgang Baumgartner

Gerd Sutter

Albert D M E Osterhaus

Chittappen Kandiyil Prajeeth

Guus F Rimmelzwaan

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is one of the most relevant tick-transmitted neurotropic arboviruses in Europe and Asia and the causative agent of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Annually more than 10,000 TBE cases are reported despite having vaccines available. In Europe, the vaccines FSME-IMMUN® and Encepur® based on formaldehyde-inactivated whole viruses are licensed. However, demanding vaccination schedules contribute to sub-optimal vaccination uptake and breakthrough infections have been reported repeatedly. Due to its immunogenic properties as well as its role in viral replication and disease pathogenesis, the non-structural protein 1 (NS1) of flaviviruses has become of interest for non-virion based flavivirus vaccine candidates in recent years.

Methods: Therefore, immunogenicity and protective efficacy of TBEV NS1 expressed by neuraminidase (NA)-deficient Influenza A virus (IAV) or Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) vectors were investigated in this study.

Results: With these recombinant viral vectors TBEV NS1-specific antibody and T cell responses were induced. Upon heterologous prime/boost regimens partial protection against lethal TBEV challenge infection was afforded in mice.

Discussion: This supports the inclusion of NS1 as a vaccine component in next generation TBEV vaccines.

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