Immunogenicity and efficacy of a measles virus-vectored chikungunya vaccine in nonhuman primates

Shannan L. Rossi, Jason E. Comer, Eryu Wang, Sasha R. Azar, William S. Lawrence, Jessica A. Plante, Katrin Ramsauer, Sabrina Schrauf, Scott C. Weaver

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    41 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Background: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection can result in chikungunya fever (CHIKF), a self-limited acute febrile illness that can progress to chronic arthralgic sequelae in a large percentage of patients. A new measles virus-vectored vaccine was developed to prevent CHIKF, and we tested it for immunogenicity and efficacy in a nonhuman primate model. Methods: Nine cynomolgus macaques were immunized and boosted with the measles virus-vectored chikungunya vaccine or sham-vaccinated. Sera were taken at multiple times during the vaccination phase to assess antibody responses against CHIKV. Macaques were challenged with a dose of CHIKV previously shown to cause fever and viremia, and core body temperature, viremia, and blood cell and chemistry panels were monitored. Results: The vaccine was well tolerated in all macaques, and all seroconverted (high neutralizing antibody [PRNT80 titers, 40-640] and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay titers) after the boost. Furthermore, the vaccinated primates were protected against viremia, fever, elevated white blood cell counts, and CHIKF-associated cytokine changes after challenge with the virulent La Reunión CHIKV strain. Conclusions: These results further document the immunogenicity and efficacy of a measles-vectored chikungunya vaccine that shows promise in Phase I-II clinical trials. These findings are critical to human health because no vaccine to combat CHIKF is yet licensed.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)735-742
    Number of pages8
    JournalJournal of Infectious Diseases
    Volume220
    Issue number5
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Jul 31 2019

    Keywords

    • Chikungunya virus
    • Measles virus
    • Nonhuman primate
    • Vaccine

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Medicine(all)

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Immunogenicity and efficacy of a measles virus-vectored chikungunya vaccine in nonhuman primates'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this