Kunjin virus replicon-based vaccines expressing Ebola virus glycoprotein GP protect the guinea pig against lethal Ebola virus infection

J Infect Dis. 2011 Nov;204 Suppl 3(Suppl 3):S1060-5. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jir347.

Abstract

Pre- or postexposure treatments against the filoviral hemorrhagic fevers are currently not available for human use. We evaluated, in a guinea pig model, the immunogenic potential of Kunjin virus (KUN)-derived replicons as a vaccine candidate against Ebola virus (EBOV). Virus like particles (VLPs) containing KUN replicons expressing EBOV wild-type glycoprotein GP, membrane anchor-truncated GP (GP/Ctr), and mutated GP (D637L) with enhanced shedding capacity were generated and assayed for their protective efficacy. Immunization with KUN VLPs expressing full-length wild-type and D637L-mutated GPs but not membrane anchor-truncated GP induced dose-dependent protection against a challenge of a lethal dose of recombinant guinea pig-adapted EBOV. The surviving animals showed complete clearance of the virus. Our results demonstrate the potential for KUN replicon vectors as vaccine candidates against EBOV infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic
  • Ebola Vaccines / immunology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Viral
  • Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Glycoproteins / immunology
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / prevention & control*
  • Mutation
  • Time Factors
  • Vaccines, Attenuated
  • Vaccines, Synthetic
  • West Nile virus*

Substances

  • Ebola Vaccines
  • Glycoproteins
  • Vaccines, Attenuated
  • Vaccines, Synthetic