Monkeys Protected from MERS Infection by Synthetic DNA Vaccine
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 01 Sep 2015 |
Image: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) particle envelope proteins immunolabeled with rabbit HCoV-EMC/2012 primary antibody and goat anti-rabbit 10 nanometer gold particles (Photo courtesy of the [US] National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases).
A synthetic DNA vaccine directed against the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome's (MERS) spike protein was found to completely protect rhesus macaques from developing pneumonia after having been exposed to the live virus.
MERS is caused by an emerging human coronavirus, which is distinct from the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), and represents a novel member of the lineage C betacoronoviruses. Since its identification in 2012, MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has been linked to more than 1372 infections manifesting with severe morbidity and, often, mortality (about 495 deaths) in the Arabian Peninsula, Europe, and, most recently, the United States. During a recent outbreak in South Korea that infected more than 181 people and caused more than 30 deaths, rapid human-to-human transmission was documented with in-hospital transmission the most common route of infection.
Investigators at the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, USA) and colleagues from several other research institutions reported in the August 19, 2015, online edition of the journal Science Translational Medicine that they had developed a synthetic DNA vaccine against MERS-CoV. An optimized DNA vaccine encoding the MERS spike protein induced potent cellular immunity and antigen-specific neutralizing antibodies in mice, macaques, and camels.
Vaccinated rhesus macaques seroconverted rapidly and exhibited high levels of virus-neutralizing activity. Upon MERS viral challenge, all of the monkeys in the control-vaccinated group developed characteristic disease, including pneumonia. Vaccinated macaques were protected and failed to demonstrate any clinical or radiographic signs of pneumonia.
Results presented in this paper demonstrate that a consensus MERS spike protein synthetic DNA vaccine can induce protective responses against viral challenge, indicating that this strategy may have value as a possible vaccine modality against this emerging pathogen.
"The significant recent increase in MERS cases, coupled with the lack of effective antiviral therapies or vaccines to treat or prevent this infection, have raised significant concern," said senior author Dr. David B. Weiner, professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. "Accordingly the development of a vaccine for MERS remains a high priority."
Related Links:
University of Pennsylvania
MERS is caused by an emerging human coronavirus, which is distinct from the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), and represents a novel member of the lineage C betacoronoviruses. Since its identification in 2012, MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has been linked to more than 1372 infections manifesting with severe morbidity and, often, mortality (about 495 deaths) in the Arabian Peninsula, Europe, and, most recently, the United States. During a recent outbreak in South Korea that infected more than 181 people and caused more than 30 deaths, rapid human-to-human transmission was documented with in-hospital transmission the most common route of infection.
Investigators at the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, USA) and colleagues from several other research institutions reported in the August 19, 2015, online edition of the journal Science Translational Medicine that they had developed a synthetic DNA vaccine against MERS-CoV. An optimized DNA vaccine encoding the MERS spike protein induced potent cellular immunity and antigen-specific neutralizing antibodies in mice, macaques, and camels.
Vaccinated rhesus macaques seroconverted rapidly and exhibited high levels of virus-neutralizing activity. Upon MERS viral challenge, all of the monkeys in the control-vaccinated group developed characteristic disease, including pneumonia. Vaccinated macaques were protected and failed to demonstrate any clinical or radiographic signs of pneumonia.
Results presented in this paper demonstrate that a consensus MERS spike protein synthetic DNA vaccine can induce protective responses against viral challenge, indicating that this strategy may have value as a possible vaccine modality against this emerging pathogen.
"The significant recent increase in MERS cases, coupled with the lack of effective antiviral therapies or vaccines to treat or prevent this infection, have raised significant concern," said senior author Dr. David B. Weiner, professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. "Accordingly the development of a vaccine for MERS remains a high priority."
Related Links:
University of Pennsylvania
Latest BioResearch News
- Genome Analysis Predicts Likelihood of Neurodisability in Oxygen-Deprived Newborns
- Gene Panel Predicts Disease Progession for Patients with B-cell Lymphoma
- New Method Simplifies Preparation of Tumor Genomic DNA Libraries
- New Tool Developed for Diagnosis of Chronic HBV Infection
- Panel of Genetic Loci Accurately Predicts Risk of Developing Gout
- Disrupted TGFB Signaling Linked to Increased Cancer-Related Bacteria
- Gene Fusion Protein Proposed as Prostate Cancer Biomarker
- NIV Test to Diagnose and Monitor Vascular Complications in Diabetes
- Semen Exosome MicroRNA Proves Biomarker for Prostate Cancer
- Genetic Loci Link Plasma Lipid Levels to CVD Risk
- Newly Identified Gene Network Aids in Early Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Link Confirmed between Living in Poverty and Developing Diseases
- Genomic Study Identifies Kidney Disease Loci in Type I Diabetes Patients
- Liquid Biopsy More Effective for Analyzing Tumor Drug Resistance Mutations
- New Liquid Biopsy Assay Reveals Host-Pathogen Interactions
- Method Developed for Enriching Trophoblast Population in Samples