Frontiers in Immunology (Jul 2023)

Induction of humoral and cell-mediated immunity to the NS1 protein of TBEV with recombinant Influenza virus and MVA affords partial protection against lethal TBEV infection in mice

  • Jana Beicht,
  • Mareike Kubinski,
  • Isabel Zdora,
  • Isabel Zdora,
  • Christina Puff,
  • Jeannine Biermann,
  • Thomas Gerlach,
  • Wolfgang Baumgärtner,
  • Wolfgang Baumgärtner,
  • Gerd Sutter,
  • Gerd Sutter,
  • Albert D. M. E. Osterhaus,
  • Chittappen Kandiyil Prajeeth,
  • Guus F. Rimmelzwaan

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1177324
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14

Abstract

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IntroductionTick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is one of the most relevant tick-transmitted neurotropic arboviruses in Europe and Asia and the causative agent of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Annually more than 10,000 TBE cases are reported despite having vaccines available. In Europe, the vaccines FSME-IMMUN® and Encepur® based on formaldehyde-inactivated whole viruses are licensed. However, demanding vaccination schedules contribute to sub-optimal vaccination uptake and breakthrough infections have been reported repeatedly. Due to its immunogenic properties as well as its role in viral replication and disease pathogenesis, the non-structural protein 1 (NS1) of flaviviruses has become of interest for non-virion based flavivirus vaccine candidates in recent years.MethodsTherefore, immunogenicity and protective efficacy of TBEV NS1 expressed by neuraminidase (NA)-deficient Influenza A virus (IAV) or Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) vectors were investigated in this study.ResultsWith these recombinant viral vectors TBEV NS1-specific antibody and T cell responses were induced. Upon heterologous prime/boost regimens partial protection against lethal TBEV challenge infection was afforded in mice.DiscussionThis supports the inclusion of NS1 as a vaccine component in next generation TBEV vaccines.

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