Assessing the Efficacy of VLP-Based Vaccine against Epstein-Barr Virus Using a Rabbit Model
Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is etiologically associated with a number of malignant and non-malignant conditions. Thus, a prophylactic vaccine against this virus could help to reduce the burden of many EBV-associated diseases. Previously, we reported that an EBV virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine was hig...
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| Formaat: | Artikel |
| Taal: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-02-01
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| Reeks: | Vaccines |
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| Online toegang: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/11/3/540 |
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| author | Narendran Reguraman Asma Hassani Pretty S. Philip Dagmar Pich Wolfgang Hammerschmidt Gulfaraz Khan |
| author_facet | Narendran Reguraman Asma Hassani Pretty S. Philip Dagmar Pich Wolfgang Hammerschmidt Gulfaraz Khan |
| author_sort | Narendran Reguraman |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is etiologically associated with a number of malignant and non-malignant conditions. Thus, a prophylactic vaccine against this virus could help to reduce the burden of many EBV-associated diseases. Previously, we reported that an EBV virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine was highly immunogenic and produced a strong humoral response in mice. However, since EBV does not infect mice, the efficacy of the VLP in preventing EBV infection could not be addressed. Here we examined, for the first time, the efficacy of the EBV-VLP vaccine using a novel rabbit model of EBV infection. Animals vaccinated with two doses of VLP elicited higher antibody responses to total EBV antigens compared to animals receiving one dose. Vaccinated animals also elicited both IgM and IgG to EBV-specific antigens, VCA and EBNA1. Analysis of peripheral blood and spleen for EBV copy number indicated that the viral load in both of these compartments was lower in animals receiving a 2-dose vaccine. However, the VLP vaccine was ineffective in preventing EBV infection. With several other EBV vaccine candidates currently at various stages of development and testing, we believe that the rabbit model of EBV infection could be a great platform for evaluating potential candidates. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T05:47:51Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-21ac2aba6b2d41998467eb93e936990e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-393X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T05:47:51Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Vaccines |
| spelling | doaj.art-21ac2aba6b2d41998467eb93e936990e2023-11-17T14:17:29ZengMDPI AGVaccines2076-393X2023-02-0111354010.3390/vaccines11030540Assessing the Efficacy of VLP-Based Vaccine against Epstein-Barr Virus Using a Rabbit ModelNarendran Reguraman0Asma Hassani1Pretty S. Philip2Dagmar Pich3Wolfgang Hammerschmidt4Gulfaraz Khan5Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab EmiratesResearch Unit Gene Vectors, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, 25, D-81377 Munich, GermanyResearch Unit Gene Vectors, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, 25, D-81377 Munich, GermanyDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab EmiratesEpstein–Barr virus (EBV) is etiologically associated with a number of malignant and non-malignant conditions. Thus, a prophylactic vaccine against this virus could help to reduce the burden of many EBV-associated diseases. Previously, we reported that an EBV virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine was highly immunogenic and produced a strong humoral response in mice. However, since EBV does not infect mice, the efficacy of the VLP in preventing EBV infection could not be addressed. Here we examined, for the first time, the efficacy of the EBV-VLP vaccine using a novel rabbit model of EBV infection. Animals vaccinated with two doses of VLP elicited higher antibody responses to total EBV antigens compared to animals receiving one dose. Vaccinated animals also elicited both IgM and IgG to EBV-specific antigens, VCA and EBNA1. Analysis of peripheral blood and spleen for EBV copy number indicated that the viral load in both of these compartments was lower in animals receiving a 2-dose vaccine. However, the VLP vaccine was ineffective in preventing EBV infection. With several other EBV vaccine candidates currently at various stages of development and testing, we believe that the rabbit model of EBV infection could be a great platform for evaluating potential candidates.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/11/3/540EBVvaccineVLPrabbitsbooster doseimmune response |
| spellingShingle | Narendran Reguraman Asma Hassani Pretty S. Philip Dagmar Pich Wolfgang Hammerschmidt Gulfaraz Khan Assessing the Efficacy of VLP-Based Vaccine against Epstein-Barr Virus Using a Rabbit Model Vaccines EBV vaccine VLP rabbits booster dose immune response |
| title | Assessing the Efficacy of VLP-Based Vaccine against Epstein-Barr Virus Using a Rabbit Model |
| title_full | Assessing the Efficacy of VLP-Based Vaccine against Epstein-Barr Virus Using a Rabbit Model |
| title_fullStr | Assessing the Efficacy of VLP-Based Vaccine against Epstein-Barr Virus Using a Rabbit Model |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing the Efficacy of VLP-Based Vaccine against Epstein-Barr Virus Using a Rabbit Model |
| title_short | Assessing the Efficacy of VLP-Based Vaccine against Epstein-Barr Virus Using a Rabbit Model |
| title_sort | assessing the efficacy of vlp based vaccine against epstein barr virus using a rabbit model |
| topic | EBV vaccine VLP rabbits booster dose immune response |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/11/3/540 |
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