IRES-Containing VEEV Vaccine Protects Cynomolgus Macaques from IE Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus Aerosol Challenge

Shannan L. Rossi, Kasi E. Russell-Lodrigue, Stephanie Z. Killeen, Eryu Wang, Grace Leal, Nicholas A. Bergren, Heather Vinet-Oliphant, Scott C. Weaver, Chad J. Roy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) is an arbovirus endemic to the Americas that is responsible for severe, sometimes fatal, disease in humans and horses. We previously described an IRES-based VEE vaccine candidate based up the IE serotype that offers complete protection against a lethal subtype IE VEEV challenge in mice. Here we demonstrate the IRES-based vaccine’s ability to protect against febrile disease in cynomolgus macaques. Vaccination was well tolerated and elicited robust neutralizing antibody titers noticed as early as day 14. Moreover, complete protection from disease characterized by absence of viremia and characteristic fever following aerosolized IE VEEV challenge was observed in all vaccinees compared to control animals, which developed clinical disease. Together, these results highlight the safety and efficacy of IRES-based VEEV vaccine to protect against an endemic, pathogenic VEEV IE serotype.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere0003797
JournalPLoS neglected tropical diseases
Volume9
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 28 2015

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Infectious Diseases

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'IRES-Containing VEEV Vaccine Protects Cynomolgus Macaques from IE Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus Aerosol Challenge'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this