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Viruses Jun 2024Recombination is a pervasive phenomenon in RNA viruses and an important strategy for accelerating the evolution of RNA virus populations. Recombination in the porcine... (Review)
Review
Recombination is a pervasive phenomenon in RNA viruses and an important strategy for accelerating the evolution of RNA virus populations. Recombination in the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) was first reported in 1999, and many case reports have been published in recent years. In this review, all the existing reports on PRRSV recombination events were collected, and the genotypes, parental strains, and locations of the recombination breakpoints have been summarized and analyzed. The results showed that the recombination pattern constantly changes; whether inter- or intra-lineage recombination, the recombination hotspots vary in different recombination patterns. The virulence of recombinant PRRSVs was higher than that of the parental strains, and the emergence of virulence reversion was caused by recombination after using MLV vaccines. This could be attributed to the enhanced adaptability of recombinant PRRSV for entry and replication, facilitating their rapid propagation. The aim of this paper was to identify common features of recombinant PRRSV strains, reduce the recombination risk, and provide a foundation for future research into the mechanism of PRRSV recombination.
Topics: Porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus; Recombination, Genetic; Animals; Swine; Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome; Genotype; Virulence; Genome, Viral; Virus Replication; Phylogeny
PubMed: 38932221
DOI: 10.3390/v16060929 -
Viruses Jun 2024African swine fever (ASF) is a contagious viral disease affecting pigs and wild boars. It typically presents as a hemorrhagic fever but can also manifest in various... (Review)
Review
African swine fever (ASF) is a contagious viral disease affecting pigs and wild boars. It typically presents as a hemorrhagic fever but can also manifest in various forms, ranging from acute to asymptomatic. ASF has spread extensively globally, significantly impacting the swine industry. The complex and highly variable character of the ASFV genome makes vaccine development and disease surveillance extremely difficult. The overall trend in ASFV evolution is towards decreased virulence and increased transmissibility. Factors such as gene mutation, viral recombination, and the strain-specificity of virulence-associated genes facilitate viral variations. This review deeply discusses the influence of these factors on viral immune evasion, pathogenicity, and the ensuing complexities encountered in vaccine development, disease detection, and surveillance. The ultimate goal of this review is to thoroughly explore the genetic evolution patterns and variation mechanisms of ASFV, providing a theoretical foundation for advancement in vaccine and diagnostic technologies.
Topics: African Swine Fever Virus; Animals; Swine; African Swine Fever; Genetic Variation; Genome, Viral; Virulence; Viral Vaccines; Evolution, Molecular; Immune Evasion; Mutation; Vaccine Development
PubMed: 38932205
DOI: 10.3390/v16060913 -
Viruses Jun 2024Currently, SARS-CoV-2 has evolved into various variants, including the numerous highly mutated Omicron sub-lineages, significantly increasing immune evasion ability. The... (Review)
Review
Currently, SARS-CoV-2 has evolved into various variants, including the numerous highly mutated Omicron sub-lineages, significantly increasing immune evasion ability. The development raises concerns about the possibly diminished effectiveness of available vaccines and antibody-based therapeutics. Here, we describe those representative categories of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) that retain prominent effectiveness against emerging variants including Omicron sub-lineages. The molecular characteristics, epitope conservation, and resistance mechanisms of these antibodies are further detailed, aiming to offer suggestion or direction for the development of therapeutic antibodies, and facilitate the design of vaccines with broad-spectrum potential.
Topics: SARS-CoV-2; Humans; Antibodies, Viral; COVID-19; Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies; Epitopes; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus; Antibodies, Neutralizing; Immune Evasion; COVID-19 Vaccines
PubMed: 38932192
DOI: 10.3390/v16060900 -
Viruses May 2024Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is an avian pathogen with an unsegmented negative-strand RNA genome that belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family. While primarily pathogenic... (Review)
Review
Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is an avian pathogen with an unsegmented negative-strand RNA genome that belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family. While primarily pathogenic in birds, NDV presents no threat to human health, rendering it a safe candidate for various biomedical applications. Extensive research has highlighted the potential of NDV as a vector for vaccine development and gene therapy, owing to its transcriptional modularity, low recombination rate, and lack of a DNA phase during replication. Furthermore, NDV exhibits oncolytic capabilities, efficiently eliciting antitumor immune responses, thereby positioning it as a promising therapeutic agent for cancer treatment. This article comprehensively reviews the biological characteristics of NDV, elucidates the molecular mechanisms underlying its oncolytic properties, and discusses its applications in the fields of vaccine vector development and tumor therapy.
Topics: Newcastle disease virus; Animals; Humans; Genetic Vectors; Neoplasms; Oncolytic Virotherapy; Oncolytic Viruses; Genetic Therapy; Viral Vaccines; Newcastle Disease; Vaccine Development
PubMed: 38932177
DOI: 10.3390/v16060886 -
Viruses May 2024Vaccinia virus is the most successful vaccine in human history and functions as a protective vaccine against smallpox and monkeypox, highlighting the importance of... (Review)
Review
Vaccinia virus is the most successful vaccine in human history and functions as a protective vaccine against smallpox and monkeypox, highlighting the importance of ongoing research into vaccinia due to its genetic similarity to other emergent poxviruses. Moreover, vaccinia's ability to accommodate large genetic insertions makes it promising for vaccine development and potential therapeutic applications, such as oncolytic agents. Thus, understanding how superior immunity is generated by vaccinia is crucial for designing other effective and safe vaccine strategies. During vaccinia inoculation by scarification, the skin serves as a primary site for the virus-host interaction, with various cell types playing distinct roles. During this process, hematopoietic cells undergo abortive infections, while non-hematopoietic cells support the full viral life cycle. This differential permissiveness to viral replication influences subsequent innate and adaptive immune responses. Dendritic cells (DCs), key immune sentinels in peripheral tissues such as skin, are pivotal in generating T cell memory during vaccinia immunization. DCs residing in the skin capture viral antigens and migrate to the draining lymph nodes (dLN), where they undergo maturation and present processed antigens to T cells. Notably, CD8+ T cells are particularly significant in viral clearance and the establishment of long-term protective immunity. Here, we will discuss vaccinia virus, its continued relevance to public health, and viral strategies permissive to immune escape. We will also discuss key events and populations leading to long-term protective immunity and remaining key gaps.
Topics: Vaccinia virus; Humans; Immune Evasion; Animals; Vaccinia; Dendritic Cells; Virus Replication; Adaptive Immunity; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes
PubMed: 38932162
DOI: 10.3390/v16060870 -
Viruses May 2024This study aims to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the SKYVaricella vaccine in healthy Vietnamese children aged 12 months to 12 years.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the SKYVaricella vaccine in healthy Vietnamese children aged 12 months to 12 years.
METHODS
This open-label, single-arm study involved 201 children divided into two groups: 60 children aged 12 months to 5 years and 141 children aged 6 to 12 years. Safety was assessed through immediate reactions, solicited adverse events within 7 days, and unsolicited events up to Day 42. Immunogenicity was evaluated by seroconversion rates (SCR) and geometric mean titer (GMT) increments using fluorescent antibody-to-membrane antigen (FAMA) on the day of vaccination (D0) and 42 days after vaccination (D42).
RESULTS
All participants completed the follow-up. Immediate adverse events included pain (8.0%), redness (8.0%), and swelling (20.9%) at the injection site. Within 7 days, pain (17.9%) and swelling (12.4%) were mild and self-resolving. Unsolicited adverse events were infrequent and mild. Both age groups achieved 100% SCR. GMT of varicella-zoster virus antibodies increased from 1.37 (SD 1.97) at D0 to 18.02 (SD 2.22) at D42, a 13.12-fold rise. No Grade 3 adverse events were observed.
CONCLUSION
The SKYVaricella vaccine shows a robust immunogenic response and favorable safety profile in Vietnamese children aged 12 months to 12 years. These findings endorse its potential inclusion in pediatric vaccination programs as a reliable preventive option against varicella.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Vietnam; Child; Chickenpox Vaccine; Antibodies, Viral; Infant; Vaccines, Attenuated; Child, Preschool; Vaccination; Chickenpox; Immunogenicity, Vaccine; Herpesvirus 3, Human; Southeast Asian People
PubMed: 38932134
DOI: 10.3390/v16060841 -
Viruses May 2024Pig farming has become a strategically significant and economically important industry across the globe. It is also a potentially vulnerable sector due to challenges... (Review)
Review
Pig farming has become a strategically significant and economically important industry across the globe. It is also a potentially vulnerable sector due to challenges posed by transboundary diseases in which viral infections are at the forefront. Among the porcine viral diseases, African swine fever, classical swine fever, foot and mouth disease, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, pseudorabies, swine influenza, and transmissible gastroenteritis are some of the diseases that cause substantial economic losses in the pig industry. It is a well-established fact that vaccination is undoubtedly the most effective strategy to control viral infections in animals. From the period of Jenner and Pasteur to the recent new-generation technology era, the development of vaccines has contributed significantly to reducing the burden of viral infections on animals and humans. Inactivated and modified live viral vaccines provide partial protection against key pathogens. However, there is a need to improve these vaccines to address emerging infections more comprehensively and ensure their safety. The recent reports on new-generation vaccines against swine viruses like DNA, viral-vector-based replicon, chimeric, peptide, plant-made, virus-like particle, and nanoparticle-based vaccines are very encouraging. The current review gathers comprehensive information on the available vaccines and the future perspectives on porcine viral vaccines.
Topics: Animals; Swine; Viral Vaccines; Swine Diseases; Virus Diseases; Vaccination; Vaccines, Attenuated; Vaccines, Inactivated; Viruses
PubMed: 38932126
DOI: 10.3390/v16060833 -
Viruses May 2024In this study, we pioneered an alternative technology for manufacturing subunit influenza hemagglutinin (HA)-based vaccines. This innovative method involves harnessing...
In this study, we pioneered an alternative technology for manufacturing subunit influenza hemagglutinin (HA)-based vaccines. This innovative method involves harnessing the pupae of the Lepidoptera () as natural biofactories in combination with baculovirus vectors (using CrisBio technology). We engineered recombinant baculoviruses encoding two versions of the HA protein (trimeric or monomeric) derived from a pandemic avian H7N1 virus A strain (A/chicken/Italy/5093/99). These were then used to infect pupae, resulting in the production of the desired recombinant antigens. The obtained HA proteins were purified using affinity chromatography, consistently yielding approximately 75 mg/L of insect extract. The vaccine antigen effectively immunized poultry, which were subsequently challenged with a virulent H7N1 avian influenza virus. Following infection, all vaccinated animals survived without displaying any clinical symptoms, while none of the mock-vaccinated control animals survived. The CrisBio-derived antigens induced high titers of HA-specific antibodies in the vaccinated poultry, demonstrating hemagglutination inhibition activity against avian H7N1 and human H7N9 viruses. These results suggest that the CrisBio technology platform has the potential to address major industry challenges associated with producing recombinant influenza subunit vaccines, such as enhancing production yields, scalability, and the speed of development, facilitating the global deployment of highly effective influenza vaccines.
Topics: Animals; Influenza Vaccines; Pupa; Influenza in Birds; Vaccines, Subunit; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus; Antibodies, Viral; Chickens; Influenza A Virus, H7N1 Subtype; Baculoviridae; Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype; Humans; Vaccine Development; Moths; Pandemics
PubMed: 38932122
DOI: 10.3390/v16060829 -
Viruses May 2024Rotavirus infection continues to be a significant public health problem in developing countries, despite the availability of several vaccines. The efficacy of oral... (Review)
Review
Rotavirus infection continues to be a significant public health problem in developing countries, despite the availability of several vaccines. The efficacy of oral rotavirus vaccines in young children may be affected by significant immunological differences between individuals in early life and adults. Therefore, understanding the dynamics of early-life systemic and mucosal immune responses and the factors that affect them is essential to improve the current rotavirus vaccines and develop the next generation of mucosal vaccines. This review focuses on the advances in T-cell development during early life in mice and humans, discussing how immune homeostasis and response to pathogens is established in this period compared to adults. Finally, the review explores how this knowledge of early-life T-cell immunity could be utilized to enhance current and novel rotavirus vaccines.
Topics: Rotavirus Vaccines; Humans; Rotavirus Infections; Animals; Rotavirus; T-Lymphocytes; Administration, Oral; Immunity, Mucosal; Mice
PubMed: 38932111
DOI: 10.3390/v16060818 -
Pharmaceutics May 2024We describe the current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) production and subsequent characterization of eOD-GT8 60mer, a glycosylated self-assembling nanoparticle HIV-1...
We describe the current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) production and subsequent characterization of eOD-GT8 60mer, a glycosylated self-assembling nanoparticle HIV-1 vaccine candidate and germline targeting priming immunogen. Production was carried out via transient expression in the human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cell line followed by a combination of purification techniques. A large-scale cGMP (200 L) production run yielded 354 mg of the purified eOD-GT8 60mer drug product material, which was formulated at 1 mg/mL in 10% sucrose in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at pH 7.2. The clinical trial material was comprehensively characterized for purity, antigenicity, glycan composition, amino acid sequence, and aggregation and by several safety-related tests during cGMP lot release. A comparison of the purified products produced at the 1 L scale and 200 L cGMP scale demonstrated the consistency and robustness of the transient transfection upstream process and the downstream purification strategies. The cGMP clinical trial material was tested in a Phase 1 clinical trial (NCT03547245), is currently being stored at -80 °C, and is on a stability testing program as per regulatory guidelines. The methods described here illustrate the utility of transient transfection for cGMP production of complex products such as glycosylated self-assembling nanoparticles.
PubMed: 38931864
DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16060742