RESUMO

The emergence of Hendra Virus (HeV) and Nipah Virus (NiV) which can cause fatal infections in both animals and humans has triggered a search for an effective vaccine. Here, we have explored the potential for generating an effective humoral immune response to these zoonotic pathogens using an alphavirus-based vaccine platform. Groups of mice were immunized with Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus replicon particles (VRPs) encoding the attachment or fusion glycoproteins of either HeV or NiV. We demonstrate the induction of highly potent cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies to both viruses using this approach. Preliminary study suggested early enhancement in the antibody response with use of a modified version of VRP. Overall, these data suggest that the use of an alphavirus-derived vaccine platform might serve as a viable approach for the development of an effective vaccine against the henipaviruses.

Assuntos

Anticorpos Neutralizantes/sangue , Anticorpos Antivirais/sangue , Vírus da Encefalite Equina Venezuelana/genética , Vírus Hendra/imunologia , Infecções por Henipavirus/prevenção & controle , Vírus Nipah/imunologia , Animais , Feminino , Expressão Gênica , Vetores Genéticos , Vírus Hendra/genética , Infecções por Henipavirus/imunologia , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C3H , Vírus Nipah/genética , Vacinas Sintéticas/genética , Vacinas Sintéticas/imunologia , Proteínas Virais/genética , Proteínas Virais/imunologia