Preparation and evaluation of an experimental iscom-based infectious bursal disease vaccine

The present study was conducted to develop and evaluate an experimental ISCOM-based infectious bursal disease (IBD) vaccine. The indigenous very virulent infectious bursal disease virus (vvIBDV) already attenuated and adapted to Vero cell line was used. After denaturation of viral proteins with sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), an IBD-ISCOM was constructed. The non-incorporated viral components were separated from ISCOM by centrifugation of dialysate. The pathogenicity and immunogenicity trials were conducted in 3-week-old broiler chicken. A commercial oil-emulsified vaccine (CEVAC IBD K) was used for comparison. There were no clinical signs of disease, gross or microscopic lesions in bursa of Fabricius in group G1 vaccinated with ISCOM-based vaccine and bursa to body weight ratio were comparable to un-vaccinated control group (G3). The virus-neutralizing antibody titers were significantly (P<0.05) higher in group G1 as compared with group G2 which was vaccinated with commercial vaccine. On challenge with vvIBDV, 100%, 75% and 0.00% protection was achieved in G1, G2 and G3, respectively. The results indicated that ISCOM-based IBD vaccine is safe and immunogenic.     

A novel vaccine adjuvant for recombinant flu antigens

Many new vaccines under development consist of rationally designed recombinant proteins that are relatively poor immunogens unless combined with potent adjuvants. There is only one adjuvant in common use in the U.S., aluminum phosphate or hydroxide (e.g. alum). This adjuvant, however, has significant limitations, particularly regarding the generation of strong cell-mediated (T-cell) immune responses. A novel adjuvant, JVRS-100, composed of cationic liposome–DNA complexes (CLDC) has been evaluated for immune enhancing activity. The JVRS-100 adjuvant has been shown to elicit robust immune responses compared to CpG oligonucleotides, alum, and MPL adjuvants, and efficiently enhances both humoral and cellular immune responses. Safety has been evaluated in preclinical studies, and the adjuvant is now in early-stage clinical development. One application of this novel adjuvant is to augment the immune responses to recombinant subunit antigens, which are often poorly immunogenic. The JVRS-100 adjuvant, when combined with a recombinant influenza hemagglutinin (H1), elicited increased specific antibody and T-cell responses in mice. Single-dose vaccination and prime/boost vaccinations with JVRS-100-H1 were both shown to be protective (i.e., survival, reduced weight loss) following H1N1 (PR/8/34) virus challenge. Enhanced immunological responses could be critically important for improved efficacy and dose-sparing of a recombinant influenza vaccine.     

Host proteolytic activity is necessary for infectious bursal disease virus capsid protein assembly

In many viruses, a precursor particle, or procapsid, is assembled and undergoes massive chemical and physical modification to produce the infectious capsid. Capsid assembly and maturation are finely tuned processes in which viral and host factors participate. We show that the precursor of the VP2 capsid protein (pVP2) of the infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), a double-stranded RNA virus, is processed at the C-terminal domain (CTD) by a host protease, the puromycin-sensitive aminopeptidase (PurSA). The pVP2 CTD (71 residues) has an important role in determining the various conformations of VP2 (441 residues) that build the T = 13 complex capsid. pVP2 CTD activity is controlled by co- and posttranslational proteolytic modifications of different targets by the VP4 viral protease and by VP2 itself to yield the mature VP2-441 species. Puromycin-sensitive aminopeptidase is responsible for the peptidase activity that cleaves the Arg-452-Arg-453 bond to generate the intermediate pVP2-452 polypeptide. A pVP2 R453A substitution abrogates PurSA activity. We used a baculovirus-based system to express the IBDV polyprotein in insect cells and found inefficient formation of virus-like particles similar to IBDV virions, which correlates with the absence of puromycin-sensitive aminopeptidase in these cells. Virus-like particle assembly was nonetheless rescued efficiently by coexpression of chicken PurSA or pVP2-452 protein. Silencing or pharmacological inhibition of puromycin-sensitive aminopeptidase activity in cell lines permissive for IBDV replication caused a major blockade in assembly and/or maturation of infectious IBDV particles, as virus yields were reduced markedly. PurSA activity is thus essential for IBDV replication.     

A practical validation approach for virus titer testing of avian infectious bursal disease live vaccine according to current regulatory guidelines

The method for virus titer determination of avian infectious bursal disease (IBD) live vaccine, developed long before regulatory validation guidelines is a cell culture based biological assay intended for use in vaccine release testing.The aim of our study was to perform a validation, based on fit-for-purpose principle, of an old 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID₅₀) method according to Guidelines of the International Cooperation on Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Registration of Veterinary Medicinal Products (VICH).This paper addresses challenges and discusses some key aspects that should be considered when validating biological methods. A different statistical approach and non-parametric statistics was introduced in validation protocol in order to derive useful information from experimental data. This approach is applicable for a wide range of methods.In conclusion, the previous virus titration method had showed to be precise, accurate, linear, robust and in accordance with current regulatory standards, which indicates that there is no need for additional re-development or upgrades of the method for its suitability for intended use.     

IBDV丝素蛋白/壳聚糖DNA微球疫苗的制备及免疫原性分析

为了制备传染性法氏囊病病毒(Infectious bursal disease virus,IBDV)DNA微球疫苗,并评价其免疫效果。以丝素蛋白(Silk fibroin,SF)/壳聚糖(Chitosan,CS)为壁材,IBDV的VP2/4/3 DNA疫苗为芯材,通过戊二醛和Na2SO4介导的乳化交联技术,制备出SF/CS复合微球疫苗,然后经肌肉注射14日龄非免疫鸡,2周后加强免疫一次,酶联免疫法(ELISA)定期监测鸡血清的IBDV抗体,以研究微球化疫苗的免疫原性。结果显示:戊二醛介导交联方法影响荷载DNA疫苗的活性,而Na2SO4介导的交联方法操作简单且不影响荷载DNA活性;建立了以壳聚糖浓度0.5%(pH 5.0)、丝素蛋白浓度0.6%,质粒DNA 500μg/mL溶解在2%Na2SO4溶液中的工作条件;SF-CS复合微球DNA疫苗荷载率89.14%,大小1.98μm,对DNaseⅠ的消化有保护作用。免疫后的抗IBDV血清ELISA抗体的检测显示,微球免疫组总体高于质粒疫苗免疫组(P0.05),而且SF/CS复合微球组免疫反应要略高于单纯CS包被的抗原组。研究表明,丝素蛋白/壳聚糖作为微球佐剂能提高IBDV DNA疫苗的临床免疫效果,有很好的应用前景。     

表达鸡传染性法氏囊病毒VP2蛋白的干酪乳杆菌免疫保护效力

利用干酪乳杆菌作为传染性法氏囊病毒(IBDV)VP2抗原传递系统,探讨口服雏鸡的免疫次数、免疫剂量、免疫途径和攻毒保护效果。用pLA-VP2重组干酪乳杆菌对5日龄雏鸡进行二次和三次免疫,并设108、109、1010 CFU/mL的重组干酪乳杆菌组,间接ELISA检测血清IgG和小肠洗液sIgA,末免后7 d攻毒,计算保护效果。根据确定的2次免疫和109 CFU/mL免疫剂量免疫5日龄雏鸡,分别口服、滴鼻/点眼pLA-VP2/L.casei,口服、肌注商品活苗及口服pLA/L.casei和PBS为对照,监测IgG和sIgA抗体水平;末免后7 d检测脾淋巴细胞增殖情况并攻毒,7 d后剖检,观察法氏囊损伤程度并记录病变得分和保护率。结果表明各组的特异性sIgA、IgG抗体水平显著高于对照组(P0.01);口服pLA-VP2/L.casei组的淋巴细胞刺激指数显著高于其他组(P0.01),保护率高达83.3%,免疫保护效果优于滴鼻/点眼组。因此,构建的重组干酪乳杆菌的安全性优于商品活苗,可以作为IBDV候选疫苗。     

Clinical trial with inactivated hepatitis A vaccine and recommendations for its use.

OBJECTIVE--To compare the reactogenicity and immunogenicity of an inactivated hepatitis A vaccine in two different immunisation schedules. DESIGN--Randomised trial. SETTING--One London teaching hospital. SUBJECTS--104 healthy adult volunteers (71 men, 33 women aged 19-60). INTERVENTIONS--Hepatitis A vaccine to group 1 (54 volunteers) at 0, 1, and 2 months and to group 2 (50) at 0, 1, and 6 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Symptoms at and after each dose; liver function, hepatitis A virus specific serum immune response; and responses in saliva and parotid fluid in immunised volunteers and subjects with natural immunity. RESULTS--The vaccine was well tolerated; 97% (96/99) and 100% of those immunised developed serum antibody after one and two doses of vaccine respectively. Geometric mean titres increased progressively after each dose and were significantly higher in men but not women in group 2 after the third dose (ratio between geometric mean titres 0.265, 95% confidence interval 0.18 to 0.39; p less than 0.001). At one year this group-sex interaction was absent; geometric mean titres for both sexes were significantly higher in group 2 (ratio 0.330, 0.227 to 0.478; p less than 0.0001). Antibody responses were not significantly different between the groups at two years. Compared with naturally infected subjects immunised volunteers developed poor or undetectable virus specific IgG and IgA responses in saliva and parotid fluid. CONCLUSIONS--The vaccine was safe and highly immunogenic, and the differences in the immune responses in saliva and parotid fluid are unlikely to affect its efficacy.     

Structural and growth characteristics of infectious bursal disease virus.

The infectious bursal disease virus is not enveloped and has a diameter of 60 nm and a density of about 1.32 g/ml. It contains two pieces of single-stranded RNA with molecular weights close to 2 X 10(6). The capsid is made up of four major polypeptides with molecular weights of 110,000, 50,000, 35,000, and 25,000. The virus replicates in chicken embryo fibroblasts rather than in epitheloid cells. After an eclipse period of 4 h, virus production reaches a maximum about 12 h later. The virus has no structural or biological similarities with defined avian reoviruses, and it cannot be classified in one of the established taxonomic groups.     

Effects of hydrostatic pressure on the structure and biological activity of infectious bursal disease virus.

The effects of high hydrostatic pressure on the structure and biological activity of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV), a commercially important pathogen of chickens, were investigated. IBDV was completely dissociated into subunits at a pressure of 240 MPa and 0 degrees C revealed by the change in intrinsic fluorescence spectrum and light scattering. The dissociation of IBDV showed abnormal concentration dependence as observed for some other viruses. Electron microscopy study showed that morphology of IBDV had an obvious change after pressure treatment at 0 degrees C. It was found that elevating pressure destroyed the infectivity of IBDV, and a completely pressure-inactivated IBDV could be obtained under proper conditions. The pressure-inactivated IBDV retained the original immunogenic properties and could elicit high titers of virus neutralizing antibodies. These results indicate that hydrostatic pressure provides a potential physical means to prepare antiviral vaccine.     

A recombinant Newcastle disease virus (NDV) expressing VP2 protein of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) protects against NDV and IBDV

Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) causes a highly immunosuppressive disease in chickens. Currently available, live IBDV vaccines can lead to generation of variant viruses. We have developed an alternative vaccine that will not create variant IBDV. By using the reverse genetics approach, we devised a recombinant Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vector from a commonly used vaccine strain LaSota to express the host-protective immunogen VP2 of a variant IBDV strain GLS-5. The gene encoding the VP2 protein of the IBDV was inserted into the most 3'-proximal locus of a full-length NDV cDNA for high-level expression. We successfully recovered the recombinant virus, rLaSota/VP2. The rLaSota/VP2 was genetically stable, at least up to 12 serial passages in chicken embryos, and was shown to express the VP2 protein. The VP2 protein was not incorporated into the virions of recombinant virus. Recombinant rLaSota/VP2 replicated to a titer similar to that of parental NDV strain LaSota in chicken embryos and cell cultures. To assess protective efficacy of the rLaSota/VP2, 2-day-old specific-pathogen-free chickens were vaccinated with the recombinant virus and challenged with a highly virulent NDV strain Texas GB or IBDV variant strain GLS-5 at 3 weeks postvaccination. Vaccination with rLaSota/VP2 generated antibody responses against both NDV and IBDV and provided 90% protection against NDV and IBDV. Booster immunization induced higher levels of antibody responses against both NDV and IBDV and conferred complete protection against both viruses. These results indicate that the recombinant NDV can be used as a vaccine vector for other avian pathogens.     

Vaccination against very virulent infectious bursal disease virus using recombinant T4 bacteriophage displaying viral protein VP2

In order to develop a desirable inexpensive, effective and safe vaccine against the very virulent infectious bursal disease virus （vvIBDV）, we tried to take advantage of the emerging T4 bacteriophage surface protein display system. The major immunogen protein VP2 from the vvIBDV strain HK46 was fused to the nonessential T4 phage surface capsid protein, a small outer capsid （SOC） protein, resulting in the 49 kDa SOC-VP2 fusion protein, which was verified by sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot. Immunoelectromicroscopy showed that the recombinant VP2 protein was successfully displayed on the surface of the T4 phage. The recombinant VP2 protein is antigenic and showed reactivities to various monoclonal antibodies （mAbs） against IBDV, whereas the wild-type phage T4 could not react to any mAb. In addition, the recombinant VP2 protein is immunogenic and elicited specific antibodies in immunized specific pathogen free （SPF） chickens. More significantly, immunization of SPF chickens with the recombinant T4-VP2 phage protected them from infection by the vvIBDV strain HK46. When challenged with the vvIBDV strain HK46 at a dose of 100 of 50% lethaldose （LD50） per chicken 4 weeks after the booster was given, the group vaccinated with the T4-VP2 recombinant phage showed no clinical signs of disease or death, whereas the unvaccinated group and the group vaccinated with the wild-type T4 phage exhibited 100% clinical signs of disease and bursal damages, and 30%-40% mortality. Collectively, the data herein showed that the T4-displayed VP2 protein might be an inexpensive, effective and safe vaccine candidate against vvIBDV.     

The evaluation of the reactogenicity and immunogenic activity of a new concentrated inactivated leptospirosis vaccine

In the controlled field trial the reactogenicity, safety and antigenic activity of a new concentrated inactivated leptospirosis vaccine after its administration in one and two injections of 0.5 ml were studied in comparison with those of the existing commercial vaccine, introduced in two injections in doses of 2.0 and 2.5 ml. The new experimental vaccine exhibited low reactogenicity and was found to be safe and highly immunogenic when introduced in a single injection of 0.5 ml. As shown in this trial, the immunogenic characteristics of immunization made in a single injection were not inferior than those obtained as the result of immunization made in two injections, yielding high percentage of seroconversions (89.8% to 98.3%) with respect to 4 Leptospira serogroups and leading to the production of the protective titers of corresponding antibodies. The existing commercial vaccine was inferior to the experimental one in antigenic activity (the frequency of seroconversions, antibody titers). The results of the trial make it possible to recommend the experimental concentrated leptospirosis vaccine for use in medical practice in a dose of 0.5 ml introduced in a single injection.     

A second form of infectious bursal disease virus-associated tubule contains VP4.

Preparations of density gradient-purified infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) were found to contain full and empty icosahedral virions, type I tubules with a diameter of about 60 nm, and type II tubules 24 to 26 nm in diameter. By immunoelectron microscopy we demonstrate that virions and both types of tubular structures specifically react with anti-IBDV serum. In infected cells intracytoplasmic and intranuclear type II tubules reacted exclusively with an anti-VP4 monoclonal antibody, as did type II tubules in virion preparations. The immunofluorescence pattern with the anti-VP4 antibody correlated with electron microscopical findings. Neither purified extracellular nor intracellular virions were labeled with the anti-VP4 MAb. Our data show that the type II tubules contain VP4 and suggest that VP4 is not part of the virus particle.     

A formalin inactivated whole SIVmac vaccine in Ribi adjuvant protects against homologous and heterologous SIV challenge.

Eight monkeys were immunized at 0, 4, 9, and 18 weeks with a total of 2 mg of formalin inactivated SIVmac vaccine with Ribi adjuvant. Two weeks after the last booster four immunized monkeys and two controls were challenged with 10 MID50 of live homologous virus SIVmac, and the remaining four vaccinated animals along with two controls were challenged with the heterologous SIVsm strain. All eight vaccinated monkeys resisted the virus challenge, whereas all controls became infected. Three months after the first challenge the monkeys were rechallenged with the same virus strain, without further boosting. Two of four vaccinated monkeys were still resistant to the homologous SIV strain, and three of four monkeys were resistant to the heterologous SIVsm strain. This study demonstrates vaccine induced cross-protection between SIV strains.     

Serendipity and new drugs for infectious disease

Serendipity, in various shades of semantic legitimacy, is abundantly evident in the history of the chemotherapy of infectious disease. We may be on the threshold of a new era of rational drug design, but most medications for infectious diseases have arisen, and continue to arise, from chance observation, clinical experience, and the empirical search for substances active against pathogens. Chance does not produce drugs; but where chance has played a pivotal role in drug discovery, the event may be considered serendipitous to a greater or lesser degree. In a deliberate search for new drugs, it is often difficult to assess the degree to which any resulting discovery is serendipitous, and the usefulness of the term becomes debatable. Many therapeutic advances emerge from research involving animals, and a triggering "happy accident" may reside in the most basic aspects of animal care or in the most arcane knowledge of animals. The examples discussed in this article deal mostly with parasitic disease and the use of animal models in the discovery of antiparasitic agents. In this area, as in others, chance has laid the groundwork for scientific advancement and practical benefit. Although the applicability of the word serendipity to drug discovery may often be uncertain, the role played by chance should be recognized and welcomed.     

重组禽腺联病毒介导的miRNA抑制传染性法氏囊病病毒在鸡胚内的复制

【目的】在鸡胚水平上探索VP1和VP2基因特异miRNA抑制传染性法氏囊病病毒(infectious bursaldisease virus,IBDV)复制的可行性。【方法与结果】将表达VP1基因特异miRNA重组载体pAITR-RFPmiVP1或VP2基因特异miRNA重组载体pAITR-RFPmiVP2E与禽腺联病毒(avian adeno-associated virus,AAAV)包装载体pcDNA-ARC和腺病毒辅助载体pHelper共转染AAV-293细胞,获得重组病毒rAAAV-RFPmiVP1和rAAAV-RFPmiVP2E,用同样方法获得不表达miRNA的rAAAV-RFP和表达对照miRNA的rAAAV-RFPmiVP2con。电镜观察显示重组病毒具有典型的AAAV颗粒形态;PCR检测结果表明其基因组中含miRNA表达盒;经poly(A)加尾RT-PCR检测证明重组病毒感染细胞能表达基因特异的miRNA。分别将重组病毒经卵黄囊途径接种8日龄SPF鸡胚,然后经绒毛尿囊膜途径用Lukert株IBDV攻毒,收获鸡胚进行IBDV组织细胞半数感染剂量(TCID50)测定。结果在攻毒后第3天,rAAAV-RFP和rAAAV-RFPmiVP2con接种组的IBDV TCID50为8.0 log10,rAAAV-RFPmiVP1和rAAAV-RFPmiVP2E接种组的IBDV TCID50分别下降到1.0和1.5 log10;在攻毒后第6天,rAAAV-RFP和rAAAV-RFPmiVP2con接种组的IBDV TCID50仍为8.0 log10,rAAAV-RFPmiVP1和rAAAV-RFPmiVP2E接种组的TCID50分别下降到0.8和2.0 log10。【结论】rAAAV是有效的miRNA鸡胚导入载体,表达的VP1和VP2基因特异miRNA能有效阻断IBDV复制。     

Cytokine adjuvants for vaccine therapy of neoplastic and infectious disease

Vaccination, the revolutionary prophylactic immunotherapy developed in the eighteenth century, has become the most successful and cost-effective of medical remedies available to modern society. Due to the remarkable accomplishments of the past century, the number of diseases and pathogens for which a traditional vaccine approach might reasonably be employed has dwindled to unprecedented levels. While this happy scenario bodes well for the future of public health, modern immunologists and vaccinologists face significant challenges if we are to address the scourge of recalcitrant pathogens like HIV and HCV and well as the significant obstacles to immunotherapy imposed by neoplastic self. Here, the authors review the clinical and preclinical literature to highlight the manner by which the host immune system can be successfully manipulated by cytokine adjuvants, thereby significantly enhancing the efficacy of a wide variety of vaccination platforms.