To create a new dengue virus vaccine, Stefan Metz, Shaomin Tian in the laboratories of Aravinda de Silva, Chris Luft and Joe DeSimone at the University of Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA designed nanoparticles of various shapes and sizes using Particle Replication in Non-wetting Template (PRINT) technology. Each nanoparticle was studded with copies of DENV2-E protein, a key protein from serotype 2 of the virus. Then, the researchers immunized 31 mice with a control injection or one of five different formulations of the nanoparticle, each with different size particles ranging from 55×70 nanometers to 200×200 nanometers. During the course of the immunizations, as well as four times after two boosters had been given, the researchers drew blood from the mice to follow their immune responses. Bone marrow and lymph node samples were also taken at various points after immunization.
After immunization with the DENV2-E nanoparticles, mice had a specific antibody response to serotype 2 of the dengue virus, but not the other three serotypes. Compared to mice vaccinated with only the soluble DENV2-E proteins, the nanoparticle formulations led to a stronger immune response. Although previous studies of similar nanoparticles have found an effect of nanoparticle shape and size on antibody responses, such a trend was not seen at significant levels for the DENV2-E vaccine. Future studies will be required to test whether the antibody levels prevent dengue infection as well as whether similar nanoparticles can be develop for all dengue serotypes.
“In addition, this platform can be used to develop safe vaccine candidates for other flaviviruses such as Zika virus, where pregnant women are the target group for vaccination.”
Source: Eurekalert
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