@article{541ef57e802240f590563e5dc697ab10,
title = "A replication-incompetent Rift Valley fever vaccine: Chimeric virus-like particles protect mice and rats against lethal challenge",
abstract = "Virus-like particles (VLPs) present viral antigens in a native conformation and are effectively recognized by the immune system and therefore are considered as suitable and safe vaccine candidates against many viral diseases. Here we demonstrate that chimeric VLPs containing Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) glycoproteins GN and GC, nucleoprotein N and the gag protein of Moloney murine leukemia virus represent an effective vaccine candidate against Rift Valley fever, a deadly disease in humans and livestock. Long-lasting humoral and cellular immune responses are demonstrated in a mouse model by the analysis of neutralizing antibody titers and cytokine secretion profiles. Vaccine efficacy studies were performed in mouse and rat lethal challenge models resulting in high protection rates. Taken together, these results demonstrate that replication-incompetent chimeric RVF VLPs are an efficient RVFV vaccine candidate.",
keywords = "Chimeric, Rift Valley fever virus, Vaccine, Virus-like particle",
author = "Mandell, {Robert B.} and Ramesh Koukuntla and Mogler, {Laura J.K.} and Carzoli, {Andrea K.} and Freiberg, {Alexander N.} and Holbrook, {Michael R.} and Martin, {Brian K.} and Staplin, {William R.} and Vahanian, {Nicholas N.} and Link, {Charles J.} and Ramon Flick",
note = "Funding Information: This work was supported by the National Institute of Health (7U01AI066327) and the United States Medical Research and Material Command (C081-105-0080, CBD08-105). We are thankful to Dawn Bertrand, Larissa Boeck and Tina Mortenson of NewLink Genetics Corporation for their excellent care and vaccinations of mice and rats. We thank Missy Worthy and Terry Juelich for their BSL-4 animal work in the University of Texas Medical Branch Robert E. Shope BSL-4 laboratory. We thank Dr. Chinglai Yang of Emory University for MoMLV gag antibodies, Dr. Robert Tesh of the University of Texas Medical Branch for RVFV N antibodies, and Dr. Wendy Maury of the University of Iowa for helpful advice and discussions.",
year = "2010",
month = feb,
day = "5",
doi = "10.1016/j.virol.2009.11.001",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "397",
pages = "187--198",
journal = "Virology",
issn = "0042-6822",
publisher = "Academic Press Inc.",
number = "1",
}