Journal Article

Development of KSHV vaccine platforms and chimeric MHV68-K-K8.1 glycoprotein for evaluating the in vivo immunogenicity and efficacy of KSHV vaccine candidates

Yang, Wan-Shan, Lai, Chih-Jen, Kim, Dokyun, Chang, Pei-Ching, Cha, Inho, Kang, Soowon, Jung, Jae U.

2024

Overview

Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is a prevalent virus that establishes lifelong persistent infection in humans and is linked to several malignancies. While antiretroviral therapy has reduced Kaposi’s Sarcoma (KS) complications in people with HIV, KS still affects individuals with well-controlled HIV, older men without HIV, and transplant recipients. Despite its significant impact on human health, however, research on KSHV vaccine has been limited, mainly due to the lack of interest and the absence of a suitable animal model. This study addresses these challenges by developing KSHV K8.1 vaccine with two platforms, mRNA lipid nanoparticle (LNP) and FT nanoparticle. Additionally, chimeric virus, MHV68-K-K8.1, was created to evaluate KSHV vaccine efficacy in vivo . Vaccination of K8.1 mRNA LNP or K8.1 26–87 -FT significantly reduced MHV68-K-K8.1 titers. Developing an effective KSHV vaccine requires an innovative approach to ensure safety and efficacy, especially for the immunocompromised population and people with limited healthcare resources. This study could be a potential blueprint for future KSHV vaccine development.

• Publisher: American Society for Microbiology
• Subject: Animal models / Animals / Antibodies / Antibodies, Viral - blood / Antibodies, Viral - immunology / Antigens / Antiretroviral therapy / Chromatography / Disease Models, Animal / Effusion / Female / Ferritin / Flow cytometry / Glycoproteins / Herpes viruses / Herpesviridae Infections - immunology / Herpesviridae Infections - prevention & control / Herpesviridae Infections - virology / Herpesvirus 8, Human - genetics / Herpesvirus 8, Human - immunology / Herpesvirus Vaccines - administration & dosage / Herpesvirus Vaccines - genetics / Herpesvirus Vaccines - immunology / HIV / Homologous recombination / Human immunodeficiency virus / Humans / Immune response / Immunity (Disease) / Immunogenicity / Immunogenicity, Vaccine / K8.1 gene / Kaposi's sarcoma / Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus / Latent infection / Liposomes / Lymphocytes T / Malignancy / Medical prognosis / MHV68 / Mice / Mice, Inbred C57BL / mRNA / mRNA vaccines / Nanoparticles / Nanoparticles - chemistry / Primary effusion lymphoma / Proteins / Research Article / Rhadinovirus - genetics / Rhadinovirus - immunology / Sarcoma / Sarcoma, Kaposi - immunology / Sarcoma, Kaposi - prevention & control / Sarcoma, Kaposi - virology / Serology / Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 / Transmission electron microscopy / Vaccine Development / Vaccine Efficacy / Vaccines / Viral Envelope Proteins - genetics / Viral Envelope Proteins - immunology / Viral infections / Viral Proteins / Viral Vaccines - administration & dosage / Viral Vaccines - genetics / Viral Vaccines - immunology / Virions