Functional characterization and immunogenicity of a novel
vaccine candidate against tick-borne encephalitis virus based
on Leishmania-derived virus-like particles

J 2023

Functional characterization and immunogenicity of a novel vaccine candidate against tick-borne encephalitis virus based on Leishmania-derived virus-like particles

ZIMNA, Marta, Gabriela BRZUSKA, Jiří SALÁT, Pavel SVOBODA, Klaudia BARANSKA et. al.

Basic information

Original name

Functional characterization and immunogenicity of a novel vaccine candidate against tick-borne encephalitis virus based on Leishmania-derived virus-like particles

Authors

ZIMNA, Marta, Gabriela BRZUSKA, Jiří SALÁT (203 Czech Republic), Pavel SVOBODA (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution), Klaudia BARANSKA, Boguslaw SZEWCZYK, Daniel RŮŽEK (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution) and Ewelina KROL (guarantor)

Edition

Antiviral Research, Elsevier, 2023, 0166-3542

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Článek v odborném periodiku

Field of Study

10607 Virology

Country of publisher

Netherlands

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

References:

URL

Impact factor

Impact factor: 7.600 in 2022

RIV identification code

RIV/00216224:14310/23:00130310

Organization unit

Faculty of Science

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105511

UT WoS

000913020800001

Keywords in English

Leishmania tarentolae; Tick-borne encephalitis virus; Vaccine; Virus-like particles

Abstract

V originále

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a major cause of neurological infections in many regions of central, eastern and northern Europe and northern Asia. In approximately 15% of cases, TBEV infections lead to the development of severe encephalitis or meningitis. The main route of TBEV transmission is tick bites; however, ingestion of dairy products from infected animals (goats, cattle and sheep) is also a frequent cause of the disease. Therefore, vaccination of livestock in virus endemic regions could also contribute to the decrease in TBEV infection among humans. Although few vaccines against TBEV based on inactivated viruses are available for humans, due to high costs, vaccination is not mandatory in most of the affected countries. Moreover, there is still no vaccine for veterinary use. Here, we present a characterization and immunogenicity study of a new potential TBEV vaccine based on virus-like particles (VLPs) produced in Leishmania tarentolae cells. VLPs, which mimic native viral particles but do not contain genetic material, show good immunogenic potential. For the first time, we showed that the protozoan L. tarentolae expression system can be successfully used for the production of TBEV virus-like particles with highly efficient production. We confirmed that TBEV recombinant structural proteins (prM/M and E) from VLPs are highly recognized by neutralizing antibodies in in vitro analyses. Therefore, VLPs in combination with AddaVax adjuvant were used in immunization studies in a mouse model. VLPs proved to be highly immunogenic and induced the production of high levels of neutralizing antibodies. In a challenge experiment, immunization with VLPs provided full protection from lethal TBE in mice. Thus, we suggest that Leishmania-derived VLPs may be a good candidate for a safe alternative human vaccine with high efficiency of production. Moreover, this potential vaccine candidate may constitute a low-cost candidate for veterinary use.

Citovat

ZIMNA, Marta, Gabriela BRZUSKA, Jiří SALÁT, Pavel SVOBODA, Klaudia BARANSKA, Boguslaw SZEWCZYK, Daniel RŮŽEK and Ewelina KROL. Functional characterization and immunogenicity of a novel vaccine candidate against tick-borne encephalitis virus based on Leishmania-derived virus-like particles. Antiviral Research. Elsevier, 2023, vol. 209, January, p. 1-9. ISSN 0166-3542. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105511.

@article{2254097,
   author = {Zimna, Marta and Brzuska, Gabriela and Salát, Jiří and Svoboda, Pavel and Baranska, Klaudia and Szewczyk, Boguslaw and Růžek, Daniel and Krol, Ewelina},
   article_number = {January},
   doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105511},
   keywords = {Leishmania tarentolae; Tick-borne encephalitis virus; Vaccine; Virus-like particles},
   language = {eng},
   issn = {0166-3542},
   journal = {Antiviral Research},
   title = {Functional characterization and immunogenicity of a novel vaccine candidate against tick-borne encephalitis virus based on Leishmania-derived virus-like particles},
   url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105511},
   volume = {209},
   year = {2023}
}

TY  - JOUR
ID  - 2254097
AU  - Zimna, Marta - Brzuska, Gabriela - Salát, Jiří - Svoboda, Pavel - Baranska, Klaudia - Szewczyk, Boguslaw - Růžek, Daniel - Krol, Ewelina
PY  - 2023
TI  - Functional characterization and immunogenicity of a novel vaccine candidate against tick-borne encephalitis virus based on Leishmania-derived virus-like particles
JF  - Antiviral Research
VL  - 209
IS  - January
SP  - 1-9
EP  - 1-9
PB  - Elsevier
SN  - 01663542
KW  - Leishmania tarentolae
KW  - Tick-borne encephalitis virus
KW  - Vaccine
KW  - Virus-like particles
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105511
N2  - Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a major cause of neurological infections in many regions of central, eastern and northern Europe and northern Asia. In approximately 15% of cases, TBEV infections lead to the development of severe encephalitis or meningitis. The main route of TBEV transmission is tick bites; however, ingestion of dairy products from infected animals (goats, cattle and sheep) is also a frequent cause of the disease. Therefore, vaccination of livestock in virus endemic regions could also contribute to the decrease in TBEV infection among humans. Although few vaccines against TBEV based on inactivated viruses are available for humans, due to high costs, vaccination is not mandatory in most of the affected countries. Moreover, there is still no vaccine for veterinary use. Here, we present a characterization and immunogenicity study of a new potential TBEV vaccine based on virus-like particles (VLPs) produced in Leishmania tarentolae cells. VLPs, which mimic native viral particles but do not contain genetic material, show good immunogenic potential. For the first time, we showed that the protozoan L. tarentolae expression system can be successfully used for the production of TBEV virus-like particles with highly efficient production. We confirmed that TBEV recombinant structural proteins (prM/M and E) from VLPs are highly recognized by neutralizing antibodies in in vitro analyses. Therefore, VLPs in combination with AddaVax adjuvant were used in immunization studies in a mouse model. VLPs proved to be highly immunogenic and induced the production of high levels of neutralizing antibodies. In a challenge experiment, immunization with VLPs provided full protection from lethal TBE in mice. Thus, we suggest that Leishmania-derived VLPs may be a good candidate for a safe alternative human vaccine with high efficiency of production. Moreover, this potential vaccine candidate may constitute a low-cost candidate for veterinary use.
ER  -

ZIMNA, Marta, Gabriela BRZUSKA, Jiří SALÁT, Pavel SVOBODA, Klaudia BARANSKA, Boguslaw SZEWCZYK, Daniel RŮŽEK and Ewelina KROL. Functional characterization and immunogenicity of a novel vaccine candidate against tick-borne encephalitis virus based on Leishmania-derived virus-like particles. \textit{Antiviral Research}. Elsevier, 2023, vol.~209, January, p.~1-9. ISSN~0166-3542. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105511.

Detailed Information on Publication Record