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Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton,... 2022Search for an efficacious antileishmanial vaccine has led to clinical trials of numerous vaccine candidates in the past few decades. As no promising candidate has...
Search for an efficacious antileishmanial vaccine has led to clinical trials of numerous vaccine candidates in the past few decades. As no promising candidate has emerged from these studies, novel vaccine modalities and vaccine assessment techniques are still emerging for antileishmanial vaccine development. Briefly, this chapter discusses: (a) history and timeline of antileishmanial vaccine development; (b) techniques utilized for developing whole-parasite and subunit-based antileishmanial vaccine formulations, and (c) immunogenicity and post-challenge protective efficacy assessment of vaccine candidates.
Topics: Antiprotozoal Agents; Vaccine Development; Vaccines, Subunit
PubMed: 34914062
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1884-4_23 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2022The quest for a syphilis vaccine to provide protection from infection or disease began not long after the isolation of the first subspecies () strain in 1912. Yet, a... (Review)
Review
The quest for a syphilis vaccine to provide protection from infection or disease began not long after the isolation of the first subspecies () strain in 1912. Yet, a practical and effective vaccine formulation continues to elude scientists. Over the last few years, however, efforts toward developing a syphilis vaccine have increased thanks to an improved understanding of the repertoire of outer membrane proteins (OMPs), which are the most likely syphilis vaccine candidates. More has been also learned about the molecular mechanisms behind pathogen persistence and immune evasion. Published vaccine formulations based on a subset of the pathogen's OMPs have conferred only partial protection upon challenge of immunized laboratory animals, primarily rabbits. Nonetheless, those experiments have improved our approach to the choice of immunization regimens, adjuvants, and vaccine target selection, although significant knowledge gaps remain. Herein, we provide a brief overview on current technologies and approaches employed in syphilis vaccinology, and possible future directions to develop a vaccine that could be pivotal to future syphilis control and elimination initiatives.
Topics: Animals; Bacterial Vaccines; Immunization; Rabbits; Syphilis; Treponema pallidum; Vaccine Development
PubMed: 35967432
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.952284 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2022Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by . As a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the global TB mortality rate in 2020 is rising,... (Review)
Review
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by . As a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the global TB mortality rate in 2020 is rising, making TB prevention and control more challenging. Vaccination has been considered the best approach to reduce the TB burden. Unfortunately, BCG, the only TB vaccine currently approved for use, offers some protection against childhood TB but is less effective in adults. Therefore, it is urgent to develop new TB vaccines that are more effective than BCG. Accumulating data indicated that peptides or epitopes play essential roles in bridging innate and adaptive immunity and triggering adaptive immunity. Furthermore, innovations in bioinformatics, immunoinformatics, synthetic technologies, new materials, and transgenic animal models have put wings on the research of peptide-based vaccines for TB. Hence, this review seeks to give an overview of current tools that can be used to design a peptide-based vaccine, the research status of peptide-based vaccines for TB, protein-based bacterial vaccine delivery systems, and animal models for the peptide-based vaccines. These explorations will provide approaches and strategies for developing safer and more effective peptide-based vaccines and contribute to achieving the WHO's End TB Strategy.
Topics: Animals; BCG Vaccine; Bacterial Proteins; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Mice; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Peptides; Tuberculosis; Vaccination; Vaccine Development; Vaccine Efficacy; Vaccines, Subunit
PubMed: 35173740
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.830497 -
PloS One 2022Beliefs that the risks from a COVID-19 vaccine outweigh the risks from getting COVID-19 and concerns that the vaccine development process was rushed and lacking rigor... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
PURPOSE
Beliefs that the risks from a COVID-19 vaccine outweigh the risks from getting COVID-19 and concerns that the vaccine development process was rushed and lacking rigor have been identified as important drivers of hesitancy and refusal to get a COVID-19 vaccine. We tested whether messages designed to address these beliefs and concerns might promote intentions to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
METHOD
We conducted an online survey fielded between March 8-23, 2021 with US Veteran (n = 688) and non-Veteran (n = 387) respondents. In a between-subjects experiment, respondents were randomly assigned to a control group (with no message) or to read one of two intervention messages: 1. a fact-box styled message comparing the risks of getting COVID-19 compared to the vaccine, and 2. a timeline styled message describing the development process of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines.
RESULTS
Most respondents (60%) wanted a COVID-19 vaccine. However, 17% expressed hesitancy and 23% did not want to get a COVID-19 vaccine. The fact-box styled message and the timeline message did not significantly improve vaccination intentions, F(2,358) = 0.86, p = .425, [Formula: see text] = .005, or reduce the time respondents wanted to wait before getting vaccinated, F(2,306) = 0.79, p = .453, [Formula: see text] = .005, compared to no messages.
DISCUSSION
In this experimental study, we did not find that providing messages about vaccine risks and the development process had an impact on respondents' vaccine intentions. Further research is needed to identify how to effectively address concerns about the risks associated with COVID-19 vaccines and the development process and to understand additional factors that influence vaccine intentions.
Topics: COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccines; Health Communication; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Intention; Vaccination; Vaccination Hesitancy; Vaccine Development; Vaccines
PubMed: 35930557
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272426 -
Journal of Controlled Release :... Jan 2023Protein nanocages have attracted considerable attention in various fields of nanomedicine due to their intrinsic properties, including biocompatibility,... (Review)
Review
Protein nanocages have attracted considerable attention in various fields of nanomedicine due to their intrinsic properties, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, high structural stability, and ease of modification of their surfaces and inner cavities. In vaccine development, these protein nanocages are suited for efficient targeting to and retention in the lymph nodes and can enhance immunogenicity through various mechanisms, including excellent uptake by antigen-presenting cells and crosslinking with multiple B cell receptors. This review highlights the superiority of protein nanocages as antigen delivery carriers based on their physiological and immunological properties such as biodistribution, immunogenicity, stability, and multifunctionality. With a focus on design, we discuss the utilization and efficacy of protein nanocages such as virus-like particles, caged proteins, and artificial caged proteins against cancer and infectious diseases such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In addition, we summarize available knowledge on the protein nanocages that are currently used in clinical trials and provide a general outlook on conventional distribution techniques and hurdles faced, particularly for therapeutic cancer vaccines.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Tissue Distribution; COVID-19 Vaccines; Vaccine Development; Antibodies, Viral
PubMed: 36516900
DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.12.022 -
Expert Review of Vaccines 2023Fungal infections are caused by a broad range of pathogenic fungi that are found worldwide with different geographic distributions, incidences, and mortality rates.... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Fungal infections are caused by a broad range of pathogenic fungi that are found worldwide with different geographic distributions, incidences, and mortality rates. Considering that there are relatively few approved medications available for combating fungal diseases and no vaccine formulation commercially available, multiple groups are searching for new antifungal drugs, examining drugs for repurposing and developing antifungal vaccines, in order to control deaths, sequels, and the spread of these complex infections.
AREAS COVERED
This review provides a summary of advances in fungal vaccine studies and the different approaches under development, such as subunit vaccines, whole organism vaccines, and DNA vaccines, as well as studies that optimize the use of adjuvants. We conducted a literature search of the PubMed with terms: fungal vaccines and genus of fungal pathogens (Cryptococcus spp. Candida spp. Coccidioides spp. Aspergillus spp. Sporothrix spp. Histoplasma spp. Paracoccidioides spp. Pneumocystis spp. and the Mucorales order), a total of 177 articles were collected from database.
EXPERT OPINION
Problems regarding the immune response development in an immunocompromised organism, the similarity between fungal and mammalian cells, and the lack of attention by health organizations to fungal infections are closely related to the fact that, at present, there are no fungal vaccines available for clinical use.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Antifungal Agents; Fungi; Mycoses; Vaccines; Vaccine Development; Mammals
PubMed: 37936254
DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2023.2279570 -
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton,... 2022Animals provide food and clothing in addition to other value-added products. Changes in diet and lifestyle have increased the consumption and the use of animal products.... (Review)
Review
Animals provide food and clothing in addition to other value-added products. Changes in diet and lifestyle have increased the consumption and the use of animal products. Infectious diseases in animals are a major threat to global animal health and its welfare; their effective control is crucial for agronomic health, for safeguarding food security and also alleviating rural poverty. Development of vaccines has led to increased production of healthy poultry, livestock, and fish. Animal production increases have alleviated food insecurity. In addition, development of effective vaccines has led to healthier companion animals. However, challenges remain including climate change that has led to enhancement in vectors and pathogens that may lead to emergent diseases in animals. Preventing transmission of emerging infectious diseases at the animal-human interface is critically important for protecting the world population from epizootics and pandemics. Hence, there is a need to develop new vaccines to prevent diseases in animals. This review describes the broad challenges to be considered in the development of vaccines for animals.
Topics: Animals; Communicable Diseases; Humans; Livestock; Poultry; Vaccination; Vaccine Development; Vaccines
PubMed: 34816396
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1888-2_1 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2022
Topics: Humans; Immunologic Memory; Lung Diseases, Fungal; Mycoses; Vaccine Development
PubMed: 35572566
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.880037 -
FEMS Microbiology Reviews Aug 2021Streptococcus pneumoniae synthesizes >100 types of capsular polysaccharides (CPSs). While the diversity of the enzymes and transporters involved is enormous, it is not... (Review)
Review
Streptococcus pneumoniae synthesizes >100 types of capsular polysaccharides (CPSs). While the diversity of the enzymes and transporters involved is enormous, it is not limitless. In this review, we summarized the recent progress on elucidating the structure-function relationships of CPSs, the mechanisms by which they are synthesized, how their synthesis is regulated, the host immune response against them and the development of novel pneumococcal vaccines. Based on the genetic and structural information available, we generated provisional models of the CPS repeating units that remain unsolved. In addition, to facilitate cross-species comparisons and assignment of glycosyltransferases, we illustrated the biosynthetic pathways of the known CPSs in a standardized format. Studying the intricate steps of pneumococcal CPS assembly promises to provide novel insights for drug and vaccine development as well as improve our understanding of related pathways in other species.
Topics: Pneumococcal Vaccines; Polysaccharides, Bacterial; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Vaccine Development
PubMed: 33338218
DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuaa067 -
Current Topics in Microbiology and... 2022In the past 20 years, the mRNA vaccine technology has evolved from the first proof of concept to the first licensed vaccine against emerging pandemics such as... (Review)
Review
In the past 20 years, the mRNA vaccine technology has evolved from the first proof of concept to the first licensed vaccine against emerging pandemics such as SARS-CoV-2. Two mRNA vaccines targeting SARS-CoV-2 have received emergency use authorization by US FDA, conditional marketing authorization by EMA, as well as multiple additional national regulatory authorities. The simple composition of an mRNA encoding the antigen formulated in a lipid nanoparticle enables a fast adaptation to new emerging pathogens. This can speed up vaccine development in pandemics from antigen and sequence selection to clinical trial to only a few months. mRNA vaccines are well tolerated and efficacious in animal models for multiple pathogens and will further contribute to the development of vaccines for other unaddressed diseases. Here, we give an overview of the mRNA vaccine design and factors for further optimization of this new promising technology and discuss current knowledge on the mode of action of mRNA vaccines interacting with the innate and adaptive immune system.
Topics: Animals; COVID-19; Models, Animal; mRNA Vaccines; COVID-19 Vaccines; Vaccine Development
PubMed: 33591423
DOI: 10.1007/82_2020_230