Protection From Lethal Lassa Disease Can Be Achieved Both Before and After Virus Exposure by Administration of Single-Cycle Replicating Lassa Virus Replicon Particles. (1st June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kainulainen, Markus H; Spengler, Jessica R; Welch, Stephen R; Coleman-McCray, JoAnn D; Harmon, Jessica R; Scholte, Florine E M; Goldsmith, Cynthia S; Nichol, Stuart T; Albariño, César G; Spiropoulou, Christina F
• Is Part Of: Journal of infectious diseases. Volume 220:Number 8(2019)
• Page Start: 1281
• Page End: 1289
• Publication Date: 2019-06-01
• Subjects: Lassa -- postexposure -- single-cycle replication -- vaccine -- virus replicon particle; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Diseases -- Causes and theories of causation -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz284
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1899

Abstract

Abstract: Lassa fever is a frequently severe human disease that is endemic to several countries in West Africa. To date, no licensed vaccines are available to prevent Lassa virus (LASV) infection, even though Lassa fever is thought to be an important disease contributing to mortality and both acute and chronic morbidity. We have previously described a vaccine candidate composed of single-cycle LASV replicon particles (VRPs) and a stable cell line for their production. Here, we refine the genetic composition of the VRPs and demonstrate the ability to reproducibly purify them with high yields. Studies in the guinea pig model confirm efficacy of the vaccine candidate, demonstrate that single-cycle replication is necessary for complete protection by the VRP vaccine, and show that postexposure vaccination can confer protection from lethal outcome. Abstract : Lassa VRP vaccine studies in the guinea pig model demonstrate that single-cycle replication is necessary for complete protection, and that the vaccine can protect guinea pigs from lethal outcome in a model of reactive vaccine use.