Day 2 :
- Viral Vaccines
Location: Meeting Room Q2
Chair
Songhua Hu
Zhejiang University, China
Session Introduction
Mohammed Alsharifi
The University of Adelaide, Australia
Title: Human Rotavirus vaccine: A decade of experience vaccinating infants worldwide
Biography:
Dr Alsharifi grew up in Babylon/Iraq and studied Veterinary Medicine at Baghdad University. He was increasingly interested in medical research and after coming to
Australia he studied Biomedical Science at Monash University. He then moved to the Australian National University to take up a PhD scholarship at The John Curtin
School of Medical Research, and investigated with Arno Müllbacher, Robert Blanden, and Mario Lobigs the immunobiology of an alphavirus infection. During his
early years in research he discovered a period of exhaustion in type-I interferon response following an acute viral infection, which may explain the clinically known
observation that virus-infected patients are at increased risk to a more sever secondary viral and/or bacterial infection. Following the completion of his PhD studies,
he investigated with Prof Müllbacher the possibility of using gamma-irradiated influenza virus as a universal flu vaccine. In 2008, he was awarded the Hanson
Fellowship to continue his research into the universal Flu vaccine and also to investigate the possibility of producing other viral vaccines using similar technique to
that used for influenza. His flu vaccine research has been featured in the Catalyst program on ABC and in many newspaper articles
Abstract:
Streptococcus pneumoniae and influenza are the world’s foremost bacterial and viral respiratory pathogens. We have previously described a gamma-irradiated influenza (γ-FLU) vaccine that provides cross-protective immunity against heterosubtypic infections. More recently, we reported a novel non-adjuvanted gamma-irradiated S. pneumoniae (γ-PN) vaccine that elicits serotype-independent protection. Considering the clinical synergism of both pathogens, combination of a serotype-independent pneumococcal vaccine with a broad-spectrum influenza vaccine to protect against both infections would have considerable clinical impact. In this study we co-immunised C57BL/6 mice intranasally with a mixture of γ-PN (whole inactivated cells) and γ-FLU (whole inactivated virions) and examined protective efficacy. Co-immunisation enhanced γ-PN vaccine efficacy against virulent pneumococcal challenge, which was dependent on CD4+ T cell responses. Furthermore, co-immunisation elicited significant protection against lethal influenza challenge, as well as against co-infection with both influenza and S. pneumoniae. This is the first report showing the synergistic effect of combining whole cell and whole virion vaccines to both S. pneumoniae and influenza as a single vaccine to protect against individual and co-infection, without compromising pathogen-specific immunity.
Alekhya Penumarthi
RMIT University, Australia
Title: Utilising novel nanoparticles for DNA vaccine delivery
Biography:
Alekhya is a final year PhD student in Prof. Peter Smookers’ Biotechnology lab in RMIT University, Australia. She completed her Master’s degree in Virology from Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, India. She also works as a teaching assistant for Masters and Undergraduate students in RMIT University.
Abstract:
Most DNA vaccines are effective in eliciting immune responses without any side effects. The main criterion for a successful DNA vaccine is to have an efficient delivery system which can deliver it safely to the target cells. There are several successful delivery systems for DNA vaccines til date; however no standard system is in place. For effective DNA vaccination, targeting antigen presenting cells would be important. In this proof of concept study two novel delivery systems 1) yeast transposon virus like particles (Ty-VLPs) and 2) solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were chosen to study their potential to carry DNA vaccines invitro to dendritic cells using eGFP plasmid as the reporter plasmid. Ty-VLPs are transposition vehicles in S. cerevisiae and were also observed to perform the same function in vitro. Ty-VLPs were purified and plasmid DNA conjugated with them. These complexes were transfected into DC 2.4 cells and analysed by flow cytometry for GFP expression. The transfection efficiency of these complexes was shown to increase compared to plasmid alone. The effect of incubation time for complex formation on transfection efficiency was also studied. Positively charged Solid lipid nanoparticles were synthesised and conjugated with DNA to form complexes. It was shown that there is a 10 fold increase in the transfection rate using these complexes in DC 2.4 cells over plasmid alone and is comparable to that mediated by lipofectamine.
Andreas Suhrbier
QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Australia
Title: A new vector system for chikungunya and Zika combination vaccines
Biography:
Andreas Suhrbier is Group Leader of the Inflammation Biology Group at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, and a Principal Research Fellow with the
NH&MRC, Australia. He has over 145 publications in the fields of virology, immunology and cancer therapeutics, and is an inventor on 17 patents. He is, and has
been a consultant for, and conducted collaborative R&D with a number of local and international biotech and pharma companies.
Abstract:
Herein we describe a novel vaccinia-derived vaccine vector platform termed Sementis Copenhagen Vector (SCV) which
has been genetically attenuated via removal of D13L, an essential viral assembly gene, rendering SCV incapable of
generating viral progeny in vivo. SCV can be propagated in CHO cells expressing D13L and the host-range factor, CP77,
thereby providing an industry standard manufacturing process. To illustrate the utility of SCV, a SCV-chikungunya vaccine
was generated that encoded the structural protein cassette of chikungunya virus, a virus that has recently re-emerged causing
millions of cases globally. A single vaccination was able to induce neutralizing antibody responses and protect mice from
chikungunya virus infection and arthritic disease. The SCV platform has the capacity for multiple large recombinant inserts,
with a combined chikungunya-Zika virus vaccine currently undergoing preclinical evaluation.
Biography:
Jingxuan Ni is currently pursuing PhD in College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, China.
Abstract:
Vaccination using attenuated vaccines remains an important method to control animal infectious diseases. The present study
evaluated ginseng stem-leaf saponins (GSLS) and thimerosal (TS) for their adjuvant effect on an attenuated pseudorabies
virus (aPrV) vaccine in mice. Compared to the group immunized with aPrV alone, the co-inoculation of GSLS and/or TS
induced a higher antibody response. Particularly, when administered together with GSLS-TS, the aPrV vaccine provoked
a higher serum gB-specific antibody, IgG1 and IgG2a levels, lymphocyte proliferative responses, as well as production of
cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-5 and IL-10) from lymphocytes and more importantly provided an enhanced cytotoxcity of NK
cells and protection against virulent field pseudorabies virus challenge. Additionally, the increased expression of miR-132, miR-
146a, miR-147 and miR-155 was found in murine macrophages cultured with GSLS and/or TS. These data suggest that GSLSTS
as adjuvant improve the efficacy of aPrV vaccine in mouse model and have potential for the development of attenuated viral
vaccines.
Andreas Suhrbier
QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Australia
Title: Successful post-exposure prophylaxis of Ebola infected non-human primates using Ebola glycoproteinspecific equine IgG
Biography:
Andreas Suhrbier is Group Leader of the Inflammation Biology Group at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, and a Principal Research Fellow with the
NH&MRC, Australia. He has over 145 publications in the fields of virology, immunology and cancer therapeutics, and is an inventor on 17 patents. He is, and has
been a consultant for, and conducted collaborative R&D with a number of local and international biotech and pharma companies.
Abstract:
We describe production of purified equine IgG obtained from horses immunized with plasmid DNA followed by boosting
with Kunjin replicon virus-like particles both encoding a modified Ebola glycoprotein. Administration of the equine
IgG over 5 days to cynomolgus macaques infected 24 hours previously with a lethal dose of Ebola virus suppressed viral loads
by more than 5 logs and protected animals from mortality. Animals generated their own Ebola glycoprotein-specific IgG
responses 9-15 days after infection, with circulating virus undetectable by day 15-17. Such equine IgG may find utility as a
post-exposure prophylactic for Ebola infection and provides a low cost, scalable alternative to monoclonal antibodies, with
extensive human safety data and WHO-standardized international manufacturing capability available in both high and low
income countries.
Shicheng Bi
Zhejing University, China
Title: Improved immune responses to live infectious bursa disease vaccine in chickens by oral administration of Rg1
Biography:
Shicheng Bi is currently pursuing PhD in College of Animal Sciences, Zhejing University, China.
Abstract:
The previous study demonstrated that ginseng stem-leaf saponins (GSLS) enhanced both humoral and gut mucosal immunity in chickens vaccinated with live infectious bursa disease vaccine. The present study was to evaluate Rg1, one of the major components in GSLS, for its effect on the immune response to live infectious bursa disease vaccine (IBDV) in chickens immunosuppressed by cyclophosphamide (Cy). Compared to the group immunized alone with IBDV, injection of Cy significantly suppressed the immunity in chickens. However, oral administration of Rg1 before immunization enhanced the immunity by exhibiting increased splenocyte proliferative response to ConA, improved spleen and bursa indices and enhanced specific antibody response to IBDV vaccine. Therefore, Rg1 may be one of the major components of ginseng stem-leaf saponins to improve vaccination in immunosuppressed chickens.
Biography:
Rakesh Kumar has obtained his MSc and MPhil (Microbiology) from H.P. University, India and later being awarded his PhD in Biotechnology by University of
Pune. In January 1982, he has joined Central Research Institute, Kasauli under Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and worked till July
1994. He has joined Serum Institute of India Limited in 1994 as a Manager and devoted his full time to the increasing success of Serum Institute culminating in his
appointments in 1997 as Dy. Director (Production), Additional Director (Production) in 2003 and as a Director in 2005. He has had full time, hands of experience
in Scientific and Compliance Professional in various aspects of Bio-pharmaceutical industry, excellent knowledge & understanding of Research, Development and
Production of Biologicals, International regulatory requirements, mentoring and coaching skills, exhaustive work for process development, optimization, set-up,
subsequent production and formulation of various mono-valent and combination vaccine
Abstract:
Tetanus toxoid is one of the most successful vaccines used in immunization program almost all over the world. Neonatal
tetanus can be prevented by immunizing women of childbearing age with tetanus toxoid, either during pregnancy or
outside of pregnancy. Tetanus vaccine is used either in mono or in combination with other antigens i.e., Diphtheria, Pertussis
(whole cell or acellular), Hepatitis-B, Haemophilus influenza-B, Inactivated polio vaccine etc. Tetanus toxoid is produced
batch-wise using complex media, often containing poorly defined components. Therefore, batch related quality control to
guarantee safety and potency is a statutory requirement. In the new concept, quality control is seen as an instrument to monitor
consistency of the critical steps in the production process and testing of vaccines. Monitoring consistency places emphasis
on in vitro methods, since in vivo tests are less appropriates (expensive, time consuming and inaccurate) for this purpose.
Immunochemical techniques may include the use of polyclonal antibodies for direct ELISA or monoclonal antibodies in
capture ELISA and immunoblotting to indicate local differences in antigenicity.