Raccoon poxvirus as a mucosal vaccine vector for domestic cats

In the present study, we evaluated both the immunogenicity and safety of recombinant raccoon poxvirus (RCN) as a mucosal vaccine vector for domestic cats. RCN is an orthopoxvirus that was isolated from healthy raccoons and has been used experimentally as a vaccine vector for rabies and other antigens in a variety of species, including raccoons, skunks, foxes, bobcats, rabbits, domestic cats, piglets, sheep and non-human primates. We evaluated the antibody response induced by a recombinant RCN vaccine expressing the rabies-G glycoprotein (RCN/rabies-G) administered to cats by the oral (PO), intranasal (IN), conjunctival (CO) or intranasal/conjunctival (IN/CO) route (dose: 10 plaque forming units or PFU). The IN route, either alone or combined with the CO route, induced the highest rabies virus neutralizing antibody (RVNA) titers. The RVNA titers remained high when measured at six months post-vaccination, demonstrating that the recombinant vaccine administered via these routes is very efficient at inducing long-lasting immunity. A dose-response was observed following IN vaccination in cats. Doses of 10 PFU induced strong antibody responses in 4 of 5 animals [geometric mean titer: 3.2 (log)]. None of the animals vaccinated with 10 PFU developed detectable RVNA titers. In this study, RCN/rabies-G viral shedding was below detectable levels. Nasal, oral and fecal swabs collected from these cats were negative for RCN by both virus isolation and by nested-PCR. In addition, no horizontal transmission of the virus could be detected. Gang-housed sentinel animals for each group did not develop detectable anti-RVNA or -RCN antibodies. To study tissue tropism of recombinant raccoon poxvirus vaccines, a RCN that can express the lacZ gene (RCN/lacZ) was constructed. Expression of beta-galactosidase (beta-gal) was validated in vitro and in mice in vivo. Cats were vaccinated IN with 10 PFU of RCN/lacZ. No histopathological lesions were detected in any of the tissues collected from these cats at 1, 4, 7 and 15 days post-vaccination. In addition, no virus or beta-gal expression was detected in any of these tissues. Controls demonstrated that virus could be reisolated from nasal swabs immediately after administration of 10 PFU to cats. These results suggest that recombinant RCN vaccines undergo limited replication after intranasal administration in cats that is sufficient to elicit strong, long-lasting systemic antibody responses.     

Adjuvant activity of ethanol extract of Hippophae rhamnoides leaves with inactivated rabies virus antigen

Context: Hippophae rhamnoides L. (Elaeagnaceae), commonly known as seabuckthorn (SBT), is known for its medicinal and nutritional properties.

Objective: Evaluation of in vivo adjuvant activity of SBT leaf extract (SBTE) with inactivated rabies virus antigen (Rb).

Materials and methods: Swiss albino mice were immunized with aqueous-alcoholic SBTE (100?mg/kg body weight) or algel (aluminium hydroxide gel) with or without Rb (5% v/v). After priming, booster was administered on day 14. Rabies virus neutralizing antibody (RVNA) titers were estimated by rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test in sera samples collected on days 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35. Effect of adjuvant administration on cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), memory T cells, plasma and CD11c⁺ cells was studied by flow cytometry. In vitro hemolysis was assayed in human RBC.

Results: RVNA titers were significantly enhanced (p?p?+ cells (25.8%) as compared to 9.4% cells in Rb immunized mice, showed 3.2-fold increment in LPS induced IL-1β. No RBC hemolysis was observed with SBTE.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates the potential adjuvant activity of SBTE with Rb by increasing RVNA titers and CTL response.     

Intranasal administration of dry powder anthrax vaccine provides protection against lethal aerosol spore challenge

The use of an aerosolizable form of anthrax as a biological weapon is considered to be among the most serious bioterror threats. Intranasal (IN) delivery of a dry powder anthrax vaccine could provide an effective and non-invasive administration alternative to traditional intramuscular (IM) or subcutaneous (SC) injection. We evaluated a dry powder vaccine based on the recombinant Protective Antigen (rPA) of Bacillus anthracis for vaccination against anthrax via IN immunization in a rabbit model. rPA powders were formulated and administered IN using a prototype powder delivery device. We compared serum IgG and toxin neutralizing antibody (TNA) titers of rabbits immunized IN with 10 microg rPA of a powder formulation with those immunized with the same dose of liquid rPA vaccine, delivered either IN or by IM injection. In addition, each group was tested for survival after aerosol spore challenge. Our results showed that IN vaccination with rPA powders elicited serum PA-specific IgG and TNA titers that were equivalent to those raised by liquid rPA administered IN. Serum PA-specific IgG and TNA titers after IN delivery were lower than for IM injection, however, after aerosol spore challenge, rabbits immunized IN with powders displayed 100% protection versus 63% for the group immunized IN with the liquid vaccine and 86% for the group immunized by IM injection. The results suggest that an IN powder vaccine based on rPA is at least as protective as a liquid delivered by IM injection.     

A novel recombinant bacterial vaccine strain expressing dual viral antigens induces multiple immune responses to the Gag and gp120 proteins of HIV-1 in immunized mice

Recombinant Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi can function as a live vector to deliver foreign antigens to the mammalian immune system and induce both mucosal and systemic immunity. In this study, we generated a recombinant Salmonella Typhi strain pilS⁻pilT⁻Gag⁺(pVAX1-gp120) harboring the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) gag gene integrated into the bacterial chromosome and gp120 gene carried by a plasmid. Mice inoculated with this recombinant bacterium through intranasal route produced high titers of IgG to gp120 in sera and IgA to gp120 in fecal washes. In addition, Gag-specific and gp120-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses were observed in sorted spleen lymphocytes of immunized mice. These results demonstrated that this recombinant Salmonella Typhi strain elicits multiple immune responses against both Gag and gp120 antigens of HIV, and thus would be a potential vaccine candidate to the prevention of HIV/AIDS.     

水痘减毒活疫苗无明胶稳定剂的筛选和应用

 目的   研制不含明胶的新型稳定剂,以提高水痘减毒活疫苗的安全性。方法   以现行水痘减毒活疫苗稳定剂配方为基础,去除明胶,配制4种不同的新型稳定剂（B、C、D、E配方）。用无明胶稳定剂制备水痘减毒活疫苗,并将制备的无明胶稳定剂疫苗（B、C、D、E疫苗）与现行的含明胶稳定剂疫苗（作为对照的A疫苗）进行比较,确定最佳稳定剂配方。结果   疫苗成品于37 ℃放置7 d后,A、B、C、D、E疫苗的相关质量指标均符合《水痘减毒活疫苗注册标准》的要求,病毒滴度分别为3.6、3.5、3.3、3.3、3.3 lg PFU/0.5 ml,但C、D、E疫苗的病毒滴度已降至临界值。疫苗成品于2~8 ℃放置24个月后,A、B、C、D、E疫苗的病毒滴度分别为3.4、3.4、3.2、3.0、2.8 lg PFU/0.5 ml,其中C、D、E疫苗的病毒滴度已低于规定的标准（3.3 lg PFU/0.5 ml）,仅B疫苗的相关质量标准符合规定的要求,且与A疫苗（对照）没有差异。 结论   去除明胶的B配方稳定剂对水痘病毒有较好的保护作用。     

Immunogenicity of a West Nile Virus DIII-Cholera Toxin A2/B Chimera after Intranasal Delivery

West Nile virus (WNV) causes potentially fatal neuroinvasive disease and persists at endemic levels in many parts of the world. Despite advances in our understanding of WNV pathogenesis, there remains a significant need for a human vaccine. The domain III (DIII) region of the WNV envelope protein contains epitopes that are the target of neutralizing antibodies. We have constructed a chimeric fusion of the non-toxic cholera toxin (CT) CTA₂/B domains to DIII for investigation as a novel mucosally-delivered WNV vaccine. Purification and assembly of the chimera, as well as receptor-binding and antigen delivery, were verified by western blot, GM1 ELISA and confocal microscopy. Groups of BALB/c mice were immunized intranasally with DIII-CTA₂/B, DIII, DIII mixed with CTA₂/B, or CTA₂/B control, and boosted at 10 days. Analysis of serum IgG after 14 and 45 days revealed that mucosal immunization with DIII-CTA₂/B induced significant DIII-specific humoral immunity and drove isotype switching to IgG2a. The DIII-CTA₂/B chimera also induced antigen-specific IgM and IgA responses. Bactericidal assays indicate that the DIII-CTA₂/B immunized mice produced DIII-specific antibodies that can trigger complement-mediated killing. A dose escalation resulted in increased DIII-specific serum IgG titers on day 45. DIII antigen alone, in the absence of adjuvant, also induced significant systemic responses after intranasal delivery. Our results indicate that the DIII-CTA₂/B chimera is immunogenic after intranasal delivery and merits further investigation as a novel WNV vaccine candidate.     

Comparison of adjuvants for a spray freeze-dried whole inactivated virus influenza vaccine for pulmonary administration

Stable vaccines administered to the lungs by inhalation could circumvent many of the problems associated with current immunizations against respiratory infections. We earlier provided proof of concept in mice that pulmonary delivered whole inactivated virus (WIV) influenza vaccine formulated as a stable dry powder effectively elicits influenza-specific antibodies in lung and serum. Yet, mucosal IgA, considered particularly important for protection at the site of virus entry, was poorly induced. Here we investigate the suitability of various Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands and the saponin-derived compound GPI-0100 to serve as adjuvant for influenza vaccine administered to the lungs as dry powder. The TLR ligands palmitoyl-3-cysteine-serine-lysine-4 (Pam₃CSK₄), monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) and CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODN) as well as GPI-0100 tolerated the process of spray freeze-drying well. While Pam₃CSK₄ had no effect on systemic antibody titers, all the other adjuvants significantly increased influenza-specific serum and lung IgG titers. Yet, only GPI-0100 also enhanced mucosal IgA titers. Moreover, only GPI-0100-adjuvanted WIV provided partial protection against heterologous virus challenge. Pulmonary immunization with GPI-0100-adjuvanted vaccine did not induce an overt inflammatory response since influx of neutrophils and production of inflammatory cytokines were moderate and transient and lung histology was normal. Our results indicate that a GPI-0100-adjuvanted dry powder influenza vaccine is a safe and effective alternative to current parenteral vaccines.     

An immunogenicity, safety and post-marketing surveillance of a novel adsorbed human diploid cell rabies vaccine (Rabivax) in Indian subjects

In 1999, Serum Institute of India indigenously developed an adsorbed human diploid cell rabies vaccine (Rabivax). During 2000-04, this new vaccine was subjected to a series of immunogenecity and safety studies. Initially, an experimental batch of Rabivax (adsorbed) was assessed on ten healthy adult volunteers and its response was comparable with that of Merieux inactivated rabies vaccine (MIRV, lyophilized) which was used as a control. Subsequently, Rabivax (adsorbed) was assessed on forty-five suspect rabid dog bite cases with MIRV as control. The vaccine was found to be equally safe and immunogenic as MIRV and showed better rabies virus neutralizing antibody (RVNA) response on day 90 than MIRV. A post-licensing study conducted on 150 cases of suspect rabid animal bites showed it to be safe and immunogenic. To assess its long-term sero-efficacy some of these subjects tested after one year of follow up showed that 84% of them had adequate RVNA titers. In addition, a routine post-marketing surveillance done on 1608 animal bite cases demonstrated that Rabivax (adsorbed) was safe and efficacious. The adverse events to Rabivax (adsorbed) included pain at injection site (3.4%), swelling with induration (2.8%), fever and headache (1.4%). No serious adverse event was reported from the studies. In conclusion, Rabivax (adsorbed) is an immunogenic, safe and efficacious vaccine for rabies prophylaxis in humans.     

Characterization and clinical evaluation of live influenza a vaccine prepared from a recombinant of the A/USSR/92/77 (H1N1) and the cold-adapted A/Ann Arbor/6/60 (H2N2) strains

Live influenza vaccine was prepared after genetic recombination of the A/USSR/92/77 (H₁N₁) strain with the cold-adapted A/Ann Arbor/6/60 (H₂N₂) strain. The recombinant contains the genes coding for the HA and NA proteins from the A/USSR/92/77 (H₁N₁) strain and the genes coding for the P₁, P₂, P₃, NP, M and NS proteins from the A/Ann Arbor/6/60 (H₂N₂) strain. To assess the properties of this vaccine, it was administered under double-blind conditions to 14 healthy volunteers, while another 14 healthy volunteers received placebo.The vaccine virus appeared to be sufficiently attenuated. No febrile reactions were observed. The vaccinees showed an increase in mean serum haemagglutination-inhibiting antibody level from 19 to 73 after two vaccinations. From nasal swabs and antibody responses, it was concluded that the vaccine virus showed no transmission to the placebo group under conditions of close contact. Also, the vaccine virus was found to be genetically stable.It is concluded that this live influenza virus vaccine meets the requirements for safe use in humans. However, several problems still exist which may impede a general use of live influenza vaccines.     

不同痘病毒属病毒抗原剂量对实验鸡免疫效果的比较性研究

本研究以两种灭活痘病毒属病毒（vaccinia virus，7．0×10^6PFU和cowpox virus，9．2×10^7PFU）为免疫原，分别考察SNNNT（抗原浓度相差约100倍）实验鸡的免疫效果和相应卵黄抗体效价（免疫荧光法和抗体中和效价）。我们的研究结果，结合文献研究显示，抗原剂量对于特异性卵黄抗体的产生和表达水平具有重要影响。提高免疫原的浓度通常有助于提高抗体效价。但由于不同抗原的免疫原性差异，也有可能导致免疫抑制。针对不同免疫原似乎存在最佳免疫剂量范围。     

Induction of mucosal and systemic humoral immune responses in murine system by intranasal immunization with peptide antigens of P. vivax and CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) in microparticle delivery

In the present study we have investigated the immunomodulatory effects of two adjuvants, CpG 1826 (two copies of CpG motifs) and CpG 2006 (three copies of CpG motifs) to the five peptide antigens of Plasmodium vivax derived from circumsporozoite protein (CSP), merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP1#1, MSP1#23), apical membrane antigen-1 (AMA-1) and gametocyte surface antigen (Pvs24) in alum and microparticle formulations, using intramuscular and intranasal routes of immunization. Alum formulation without CpG ODN generated low serum IgG and IgA antibody titers and the predominant IgG isotypes were IgG1 but with the addition of CpG ODN (1826 or 2006), the antibody titers were increased by four fold with the predominance of IgG2a/2b isotypes. The SIgA peak titers in lung and intestinal washes were significantly increased with the intranasal mode of administration. Specific activity measurement was done to calculate for the accurate amounts of total serum IgG, IgA and SIgA in washes and showed direct correlation between antibody titer and its concentration. High titer anti-Pvs24 antibodies have significant inhibitory effects on parasite development in the mosquito midgut when tested in membrane feeding assays. The immunofluorescence results show that the peptide specific antisera reacted with the air-dried parasite antigens isolated from P. vivax patients. The present study demonstrates that intranasal route of immunization appears to be an alternate mode of inducing protective immunity in P. vivax malaria.     

抗H7N9流感病毒中和抗体快速检测方法的建立及应用

目的：对建立的抗H7N9流感病毒中和抗体快速检测方法进行方法学验证及初步应用。方法：分别采用不同代次细胞对高、中、低不同滴度的阳性血清进行多次平行检测,考察细胞代次对检验结果的影响;采用NIBSC提供的参考品对方法学的特异性进行验证;同时应用抗H7N9的阳性血清检测进一步评估方法的准确性和精密性;采用ELISA-MNT法和血凝抑制（hemagglutination inhibition,HI）试验分别接种H7N9灭活流感疫苗免疫的小鼠血清样本20份,分析两种方法检测结果的相关性。结果：采用ELISA-MNT中和法,使用不同代次MDCK细胞（25、30和35代）检测相同的血清样本的中和抗体滴度结果相同;该方法只对羊抗H7N9的血清具有较高保护力,对其他血清基本没有交叉反应;该方法准确性良好;该方法组间、组内精密性的平均变异系数分别为4%和11%。该方法测定H7N9型流感疫苗免疫后的小鼠血清抗体效价,其结果与HI抗体的相关系数为0.61,表明两种方法的检测结果之间呈良好的正相关性。结论：建立的微量病毒中和法能够满足H7N9流感病毒中和抗体效价检测的要求,可用于H7N9新型大流行流感疫苗的免疫评价。     

rDEN2/4Delta30(ME), a live attenuated chimeric dengue serotype 2 vaccine is safe and highly immunogenic in healthy dengue-naïve adults

rDEN2/4Delta30(ME) is an attenuated chimeric dengue virus in which the prM and E structural proteins of the DEN4 candidate vaccine rDEN4Delta30 have been replaced by those of the prototypic DEN2 NGC virus. rDEN2/4Delta30(ME) was evaluated at a dose of 1,000 PFU in 20 healthy dengue-na?ve adult volunteers. Eight volunteers received placebo. Volunteers were monitored closely for adverse events and serum was collected for determination of the level and duration of viremia and neutralizing antibody response. The vaccine was well tolerated by all volunteers. The most common adverse events observed were a transient asymptomatic rash and mild neutropenia. All vaccines seroconverted to DEN2 and maintained significant antibody titers throughout the six-month trial duration. Eleven vaccinees had vaccine virus recovered from the blood during the study. RNA derived from virus isolates obtained from viremic volunteers was sequenced for confirmation of retention of the Delta30 mutation in the 3' UTR. The Delta30 mutation remained unchanged in each isolate, confirming the stability of the Delta30 mutation. Further evaluation of this vaccine in a tetravalent formulation is warranted.     

A novel recombinant bacterial vaccine strain expressing dual viral antigens induces multiple immune responses to the Gag and gp120 proteins of HIV-1 in immunized mice

Recombinant Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi can function as a live vector to deliver foreign antigens to the mammalian immune system and induce both mucosal and systemic immunity. In this study, we generated a recombinant Salmonella Typhi strain pilS⁻pilT⁻Gag⁺(pVAX1-gp120) harboring the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) gag gene integrated into the bacterial chromosome and gp120 gene carried by a plasmid. Mice inoculated with this recombinant bacterium through intranasal route produced high titers of IgG to gp120 in sera and IgA to gp120 in fecal washes. In addition, Gag-specific and gp120-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses were observed in sorted spleen lymphocytes of immunized mice. These results demonstrated that this recombinant Salmonella Typhi strain elicits multiple immune responses against both Gag and gp120 antigens of HIV, and thus would be a potential vaccine candidate to the prevention of HIV/AIDS.     

Comparison of saftey and immunogenicity of purified chick embryo cell rabies vaccine (PCECV) and purified vero cell rabies vaccine (PVRV) using the Thai Red Cross intradermal regimen at a dose of 0.1 ML

Intradermal (ID) vaccination with modern cell culture rabies vaccines is a means to significantly reduce the cost of post-exposure prophylaxis as compared to intramuscular vaccination. In this study we evaluated the efficacy, immunogenicity and tolerability of PCECV and PVRV administered ID in doses of 0.1 mL per site according to the 2-site Thai Red Cross (TRC) regimen. Patients with WHO category III exposure to suspect or laboratory proven rabid animals were administered either PCECV (n = 58) or PVRV (n = 52) ID at a dose of 0.1 mL per site at two sites on days 0, 3 and 7 and at one site on days 30 and 90. Serum samples were withdrawn on days 0, 14, 30, 90 and 180 and rabies virus neutralizing antibody (RVNA) titers were determined by rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT). Patients who were exposed to laboratory confirmed rabid animals were followed up for one year after exposure. All 110 patients developed RVNA titers above 0.5 IU/mL by day 14. Adequate titers >0.5 IU/mL were maintained up to day 180. Both vaccines induced equivalent RVNA titers at all time points and were well tolerated. Five subjects who were bitten by laboratory confirmed rabid dogs were alive and healthy one year after exposure. As demonstrated, PCECV and PVRV are both immunogenic, efficacious and well tolerated when administered in the TRC post-exposure prophylaxis regimen in ID doses of 0.1 mL as recommended by WHO guidelines. The use of PCECV in this regimen may prove more economical in developing countries like India.     

麻疹、腮腺炎、风疹、水痘联合减毒活疫苗的生产工艺研究

目的  建立麻疹、腮腺炎、风疹、水痘联合减毒活疫苗（combined live attenuated measles，mumps，rubella and varicella vaccine，MMRV）的生产工艺。方法  根据现有疫苗病毒原液生产工艺，将麻疹病毒沪-191纯化株、腮腺炎病毒S79株、风疹病毒BRD-Ⅱ株和水痘-带状疱疹病毒Oka株在原代鸡胚成纤维细胞或人二倍体细胞MRC-5株中制备高滴度病毒原液，并超低温保存。筛选无明胶冻干稳定剂配方。按国外已上市同类产品的病毒配比，研究MMRV中4种病毒的原液配制滴度及成品配制比例，建立最佳冻干工艺。结果  用筛选出的适合于MMRV的无明胶冻干稳定剂配方进行试验，确定病毒原液的配制滴度为，麻疹4.6 lg半数细胞培养感染量（50% cell culture infective dose，CCID₅₀）/ml、腮腺炎5.8 lgCCID₅₀/ml、风疹4.3 lgCCID₅₀/ml、水痘4.8 lg噬斑形成单位（plaque forming unit，PFU）/ml。使成品中腮腺炎病毒滴度至少达到麻疹和风疹和水痘病毒的10倍，水痘病毒滴度高于现有单价水痘疫苗。连续制备3批MMRV，平均病毒滴度为，麻疹4.5 lgCCID₅₀/ml、腮腺炎5.1 lgCCID₅₀/ml、风疹4.3 lgCCID₅₀/ml、水痘4.6 lgPFU/ml；平均水分为1.2%。其他项目检定均合格。结论  建立了MMRV的生产工艺，可以稳定生产出达到国外同类产品质量标准并符合我国4种单价减毒活疫苗国家标准的产品。     

CNA-loaded PLGA nanoparticles improve humoral response againstS. aureus-mediated infections in a mouse model: subcutaneous vs. nasal administration strategy

The aim of this work was the assessment of the “in vivo” immune response of a poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-based nanoparticulate adjuvant for a sub-unit vaccine, namely, a purified recombinant collagen-binding bacterial adhesion fragment (CNA19), against Staphylococcus aureus-mediated infections. “In vivo” immunogenicity studies were performed on mice: immunisation protocols encompassed subcutaneous and intranasal administration of CNA19 formulated as nanoparticles (NPs) and furthermore, CNA19-loaded NPs formulated in a set-up thermosetting chitosan-β-glycerolphosphate (chitosan-β-GP) solution for intranasal route in order to extend antigen exposure to nasal mucosa. CNA19 loaded NPs (mean size of about 195?nm, 9.04?±?0.37μg/mg as CNA19 loading capacity) confirmed as suitable vaccine for subcutaneous administration with a more pronounced adjuvant effect (about 3-fold higher) with respect to aluminium, recognised as “reference” adjuvant. CNA19 loaded NPs formulated in an optimised thermogelling chitosan-β-GP solution showed promising results for eliciting an effective humoral response and a good chance as intranasal boosting dose.     

Protective immune responses to meningococcal C conjugate vaccine after intranasal immunization of mice with the LTK63 mutant plus chitosan or trimethyl chitosan chloride as novel delivery platform

Chitosan and its derivative N-trimethyl chitosan chloride (TMC), given as microparticles or powder suspensions, and the non-toxic mucosal adjuvant LTK63, were evaluated for intranasal immunization with the group C meningococcal conjugated vaccine (CRM-MenC). Mice immunized intranasally with CRM-MenC formulated with chitosan or TMC and the LTK63 mutant, showed high titers of serum and mucosal antibodies specific for the MenC polysaccharide. Neither significant differences were observed between microparticle formulations and powder suspensions nor when LTK63 was pre-associated to the delivery system or not. The bactericidal activity measured in serum of mice immunized intranasally with the conjugated vaccine formulated with the delivery systems and the LT mutant was superior to the activity in serum of mice immunized sub-cutaneously. Importantly, intranasal but not parenteral immunization, induced bactericidal antibodies at the nasal level, when formulated with both delivery system and adjuvant.