De novo syntheses of Marburg virus antigens from adenovirus vectors induce potent humoral and cellular immune responses

Vaccine. 2006 Apr 5;24(15):2975-86. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2005.11.046. Epub 2005 Dec 9.

Abstract

Marburg virus (MARV) is an African filovirus that causes a deadly hemorrhagic fever in humans, with up to 90% mortality. Currently, there are no MARV vaccines or therapies approved for human use. We hypothesized that developing a vaccine that induces a de novo synthesis of MARV antigens in vivo will lead to strong induction of both a humoral and cell-mediated immune response against MARV. Here, we develop and characterize three novel gene-based vaccine candidates which express the viral glycoprotein (GP) from either the Ci67, Ravn or Musoke strain of MARV. Immunization of mice with complex adenovirus (Ad)-based vaccine candidates (cAdVax vaccines), led to efficient production of both antibodies and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) specific to Musoke strain GP and Ci67 strain GP, respectively. Antibody responses were also shown to be cross-reactive across the MARV strains, but not cross-reactive to Ebola virus, a related filovirus. Additionally, three 1 x 10(8)pfu doses of vaccine vector were demonstrated to be safe in mice, as this did not lead to any detectable toxicity in liver or spleen. These promising results indicate that a cAdVax-based vaccine could be effective for induction of both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses to multiple strains of the Marburg virus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae / genetics*
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Antigens, Viral / biosynthesis
  • Antigens, Viral / genetics
  • Antigens, Viral / immunology
  • Cross Reactions
  • Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Genetic Vectors
  • Humans
  • Liver / pathology
  • Marburg Virus Disease / immunology
  • Marburg Virus Disease / prevention & control*
  • Marburgvirus / genetics*
  • Marburgvirus / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Models, Animal
  • Spleen / pathology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / immunology*
  • Viral Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Viral Vaccines / adverse effects
  • Viral Vaccines / genetics
  • Viral Vaccines / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antigens, Viral
  • GP-protein, Marburg virus
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • Viral Vaccines