New vaccine strategy protects against chikungunya in mice and could become a platform for combating other diseases
An international team of researchers has developed an innovative strategy for producing new vaccines. They created a genetically modified version of the chikungunya virus that replicates only once yet still trains the immune system to defend itself without causing disease. In tests conducted on mice, a single dose of the formulation containing the modified immature virus was sufficient to…
Scientists have devised a novel vaccine strategy using a genetically modified chikungunya virus that only replicates once, protecting mice against lethal infection in a single dose. This innovative approach, published in npj Vaccines, could serve as a platform for combating other diseases. The researchers created a virus that enters cells and activates the immune system, but cannot become infectious, eliminating the risk of side effects and allowing for broader use, including in immunocompromised individuals and older adults.
By replacing an enzyme specific to humans with one from a plant virus, the scientists ensured the virus remained immature and harmless, acting merely as antigens to train the immune system. Remarkably, immunized mice also demonstrated the ability to neutralize the Mayaro virus, suggesting potential for adapting the platform to neutralize other arboviruses like Zika, yellow fever, and variants of SARS-CoV-2.
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