Single dose of chimeric dengue-2/Zika vaccine candidate protects mice and non-human primates against Zika virus.

Baldwin, Whitney R; Giebler, Holli A; Stovall, Janae L; Young, Ginger; Bohning, Kelly J; Dean, Hansi J; Livengood, Jill A; Huang, Claire Y-H · Nat Commun · 2021

basic_science · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

The development of a safe and effective Zika virus (ZIKV) vaccine has become a global health priority since the widespread epidemic in 2015-2016. Based on previous experience in using the well-characterized and clinically proven dengue virus serotype-2 (DENV-2) PDK-53 vaccine backbone for live-attenuated chimeric flavivirus vaccine development, we developed chimeric DENV-2/ZIKV vaccine candidates optimized for growth and genetic stability in Vero cells. These vaccine candidates retain all previously characterized attenuation phenotypes of the PDK-53 vaccine virus, including attenuation of neurovirulence for 1-day-old CD-1 mice, absence of virulence in interferon receptor-deficient mice, and lack of transmissibility in the main mosquito vectors. A single DENV-2/ZIKV dose provides protection against ZIKV challenge in mice and rhesus macaques. Overall, these data indicate that the ZIKV live-attenuated vaccine candidates are safe, immunogenic and effective at preventing ZIKV infection in multiple animal models, warranting continued development.

Medical subject headings