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Viruses Sep 2022Polyomaviruses are nonenveloped icosahedral viruses with a double-stranded circular DNA containing approximately 5000 bp and 5-6 open reading frames. In contrast to... (Review)
Review
Polyomaviruses are nonenveloped icosahedral viruses with a double-stranded circular DNA containing approximately 5000 bp and 5-6 open reading frames. In contrast to mammalian polyomaviruses (MPVs), avian polyomaviruses (APVs) exhibit high lethality and multipathogenicity, causing severe infections in birds without oncogenicity. APVs are classified into 10 major species: Adélie penguin polyomavirus, budgerigar fledgling disease virus, butcherbird polyomavirus, canary polyomavirus, cormorant polyomavirus, crow polyomavirus, polyomavirus, finch polyomavirus, goose hemorrhagic polyomavirus, and Hungarian finch polyomavirus under the genus . This paper briefly reviews the genomic structure and pathogenicity of the 10 species of APV and some of their differences in terms of virulence from MPVs. Each gene's genomic size, number of amino acid residues encoding each gene, and key biologic functions are discussed. The rationale for APV classification from the family and phylogenetic analyses among the 10 APVs are also discussed. The clinical symptoms in birds caused by APV infection are summarized. Finally, the strategies for developing an effective vaccine containing essential epitopes for preventing virus infection in birds are discussed. We hope that more effective and safe vaccines with diverse protection will be developed in the future to solve or alleviate the problems of viral infection.
Topics: Amino Acids; Animals; Biological Products; DNA, Circular; Epitopes; Mammals; Passeriformes; Phylogeny; Polyomavirus; Polyomavirus Infections; Vaccine Development; Virulence
PubMed: 36146885
DOI: 10.3390/v14092079 -
Current Opinion in Pediatrics Feb 2020The gradual replacement of inactivated whole cell and live attenuated vaccines with subunit vaccines has generally reduced reactogenicity but in many cases also... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
The gradual replacement of inactivated whole cell and live attenuated vaccines with subunit vaccines has generally reduced reactogenicity but in many cases also immunogenicity. Although only used when necessary, adjuvants can be key to vaccine dose/antigen-sparing, broadening immune responses to variable antigens, and enhancing immunogenicity in vulnerable populations with distinct immunity. Licensed vaccines contain an increasing variety of adjuvants, with a growing pipeline of adjuvanted vaccines under development.
RECENT FINDINGS
Most adjuvants, including Alum, Toll-like receptor agonists and oil-in-water emulsions, activate innate immunity thereby altering the quantity and quality of an adaptive immune response. Adjuvants activate leukocytes, and induce mediators (e.g., cytokines, chemokines, and prostaglandin-E2) some of which are biomarkers for reactogenicity, that is, induction of local/systemic side effects. Although there have been safety concerns regarding a hypothetical risk of adjuvants inducing auto-immunity, such associations have not been established. As immune responses vary by population (e.g., age and sex), adjuvant research now incorporates principles of precision medicine. Innovations in adjuvant research include use of human in vitro models, immuno-engineering, novel delivery systems, and systems biology to identify biomarkers of safety and adjuvanticity.
SUMMARY
Adjuvants enhance vaccine immunogenicity and can be associated with reactogenicity. Novel multidisciplinary approaches hold promise to accelerate and de-risk targeted adjuvant discovery and development. VIDEO ABSTRACT: http://links.lww.com/MOP/A53.
Topics: Adaptive Immunity; Adjuvants, Immunologic; Biomarkers; Drug Delivery Systems; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Immunogenicity, Vaccine; Precision Medicine; Treatment Outcome; Vaccines
PubMed: 31904601
DOI: 10.1097/MOP.0000000000000868 -
Current Medicinal Chemistry 2021Tumour microenvironment (TME) is a resident of a variety of cells, which are devoted to the heterogeneous population of the tumour. TME establishes a communication... (Review)
Review
Tumour microenvironment (TME) is a resident of a variety of cells, which are devoted to the heterogeneous population of the tumour. TME establishes a communication network for crosstalk and signalling between tumour cells, stroma, and other interstitial cells. The cross-communication drives the reprogramming of TME cells, which promote cancer progression and metastasis via diverse signalling pathways. Recently, TMEderived exosomes are recognized as critical communicators of TME cell reprogramming. This review addresses the role of TME-derived exosomes in the modulation of stroma, including reprogramming the stromal cells, ECM and tumour cell metabolism, as well as neoplastic transformation. Subsequently, we described the role of exosomes in pre-metastatic niche development, maintenance of stemness and tumour vasculature, as well as development of drug resistance. We also explored tumour-derived exosomes in precision, including diagnosis, drug delivery, and vaccine development. We discussed the currently established bioengineered exosomes as carriers for chemotherapeutic drugs, RNAi molecules, and natural compounds. Finally, we presented tetraspanin and DNA-based precision methods for the quantification of tumour-derived exosomes. Overall, TMEderived exosome-mediated reprogramming of TME and precision strategies could illuminate the potential mechanisms for targeted therapeutic intervention.
Topics: Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; Exosomes; Humans; Neoplasms; Tumor Microenvironment; Vaccine Development
PubMed: 33334279
DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666201217105529 -
Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy Nov 2021Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To halt the pandemic, multiple SARS-CoV-2... (Review)
Review
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To halt the pandemic, multiple SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have been developed and several have been allowed for emergency use and rollout worldwide. With novel SARS-CoV-2 variants emerging and circulating widely, whether the original vaccines that were designed based on the wild-type SARS-CoV-2 were effective against these variants has been a contentious discussion. Moreover, some studies revealed the long-term changes of immune responses post SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination and the factors that might impact the vaccine-induced immunity. Thus, in this review, we have summarized the influence of mutational hotspots on the vaccine efficacy and characteristics of variants of interest and concern. We have also discussed the reasons that might result in discrepancies in the efficacy of different vaccines estimated in different trials. Furthermore, we provided an overview of the duration of immune responses after natural infection or vaccination and shed light on the factors that may affect the immunity induced by the vaccines, such as special disease conditions, sex, and pre-existing immunity, with the aim of aiding in combating COVID-19 and distributing SARS-CoV-2 vaccines under the prevalence of diverse SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Topics: COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccines; Humans; Immunogenicity, Vaccine; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2; Vaccination
PubMed: 34753918
DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00796-w -
Frontiers in Immunology 2021Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) with high infectivity, pathogenicity, and variability, is a... (Review)
Review
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) with high infectivity, pathogenicity, and variability, is a global pandemic that severely affected public health and the world economy. The development of safe and effective vaccines is crucial to the prevention and control of an epidemic. As an emerging technology, mRNA vaccine is widely used for infectious disease prevention and control and has significant safety, efficacy, and high production. It has received support and funding from many pharmaceutical enterprises and becomes one of the main technologies for preventing COVID-19. This review introduces the current status of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, specifically mRNA vaccines, focusing on the challenges of developing mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, and discusses the relevant strategies.
Topics: Animals; COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccines; Humans; SARS-CoV-2; Vaccine Development; Vaccine Efficacy; mRNA Vaccines
PubMed: 35126377
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.821538 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2022The global outbreak of COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus elicited immense global interest in the development and distribution of safe COVID-19 vaccines by various...
The global outbreak of COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus elicited immense global interest in the development and distribution of safe COVID-19 vaccines by various governments and researchers, capable of stopping the spread of COVID-19 disease. After COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, several vaccines have been developed for emergency use authorization. The accelerated development of the vaccines was attributed to many factors but mainly by capitalizing on years of research and technology development. Although several countries tried to develop COVID-19 vaccines only a few countries succeeded. Therefore, we applied statistical methods to find factors that have contributed to the fast development of COVID-19 vaccines. All 11 countries that developed vaccines were considered and chose other 24 countries for comparison purposes according to different criteria of their R&D. Fourteen R&D indicator variables that are a measure of the R&D for all countries [World Development Indicators (WDI)] were obtained from the World Bank DataBank and data on the COVID-19 vaccine R&D were obtained from The Knowledge Portal of the Graduate Institute Geneva and Global Health Center. The World Bank records WDI yearly, and 2019 was chosen because of a few missing values. Also, different vaccine policies were adopted by different countries during the COVID-19 vaccination period, producing different impacts of vaccinations on the population. So, we applied the generalized estimating equations (GEE) approach to find policies that contributed greatly to decreasing the spread of COVID-19 using data from the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker (OxCGRT) and age-specific vaccination data from the European Center for Disease and Prevention and Control. Logistic regression, two-sample -test, and Wilcoxon rank-sum test found scientific and technical journals, liability, and COVID-19 Vaccine R&D Funding (investment in pharmaceutical industry US$) are significantly associated with fast COVID-19 vaccine development. Vaccine prioritization and government vaccine financial support were significantly associated with COVID-19 daily cases. The impact of vaccination on lowering the rate of new cases is greatly observed among the mid-aged populations (25-64 years) and lower or non-significant among the younger (<25 years) and (>65 years) older populations. Therefore, these age-groups especially > 79 can be prioritized during vaccine roll-out.
Topics: Humans; Middle Aged; COVID-19 Vaccines; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Vaccines; Policy; Vaccine Development
PubMed: 36544793
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1048062 -
Trends in Pharmacological Sciences Oct 2023Since May 2022, mpox virus (MPXV) has attracted considerable attention due to a multi-country outbreak. Marked differences in epidemiology, transmission, and pathology... (Review)
Review
Since May 2022, mpox virus (MPXV) has attracted considerable attention due to a multi-country outbreak. Marked differences in epidemiology, transmission, and pathology between the 2022 global mpox outbreak (clade IIb) and classical mpox disease, endemic in Africa (clades I and IIa) have been highlighted. MPXV genome analysis has identified the genomic changes characterizing clade IIb and the drivers of MPXV rapid evolution. Although mpox cases have largely declined, MPXV cryptic transmission and microevolution continues, which may lead to an MPXV of unpredictable pathogenicity. Vaccines and antivirals developed against variola virus, the agent that caused the extinguished plague smallpox, have been used to contain the 2022 mpox outbreak. In this review article, recent findings on MPXV origin and evolution and relevant models able to recapitulate differences in MPXV pathogenicity, which are important for drug and vaccine development, are discussed.
Topics: Humans; Virulence; Monkeypox virus; Mpox (monkeypox); Drug Discovery; Vaccine Development
PubMed: 37673695
DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2023.08.003 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2022is a zoonotic pathogen responsible for the human disease Q fever. While an inactivated whole cell vaccine exists for this disease, its widespread use is precluded by a... (Review)
Review
is a zoonotic pathogen responsible for the human disease Q fever. While an inactivated whole cell vaccine exists for this disease, its widespread use is precluded by a post vaccination hypersensitivity response. Efforts for the development of an improved Q fever vaccine are intricately connected to the availability of appropriate animal models of human disease. Accordingly, small mammals and non-human primates have been utilized for vaccine-challenge and post vaccination hypersensitivity modeling. Here, we review the animal models historically utilized in Q fever vaccine development, describe recent advances in this area, discuss the limitations and strengths of these models, and summarize the needs and criteria for future modeling efforts. In summary, while many useful models for Q fever vaccine development exist, there remains room for growth and expansion of these models which will in turn increase our understanding of host interactions.
Topics: Animals; Bacterial Vaccines; Coxiella burnetii; Mammals; Models, Animal; Q Fever; Vaccine Development
PubMed: 35223553
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.828784 -
Nature Cancer 2020The need to address COVID-19 is placing huge demands on biomedical research and regulatory processes. Under pressure, it is essential to uphold high bioethical...
The need to address COVID-19 is placing huge demands on biomedical research and regulatory processes. Under pressure, it is essential to uphold high bioethical principles and rigorous standards for the development and approval of medicines.
Topics: Biomedical Research; COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccines; Humans; SARS-CoV-2; Trust; Vaccine Development
PubMed: 32935085
DOI: 10.1038/s43018-020-00123-2 -
Journal of Medical Virology Sep 2021Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has infected over 109 000 000 people with 2 423 443 deaths as of February 17, 2021. Currently, there are no...
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has infected over 109 000 000 people with 2 423 443 deaths as of February 17, 2021. Currently, there are no approved or consistently effective treatments, and conventional vaccines may take several years for development and testing. In silico methods of bioinformatics, vaccinogenomics, immunoinformatics, structural biology, and molecular simulations can be used for more rapid and precise vaccine design. This paper highlights two major immunoinformatics strategies that are used in designing novel and effective vaccines and therapeutics: reverse vaccinology and structural vaccinology.
Topics: COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccines; Computational Biology; Humans; Immunogenicity, Vaccine; Vaccinology
PubMed: 33851735
DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27017