A commercially viable recombinant subunit vaccine to prevent West Nile virus infection is the overall objective of this project. West Nile virus was isolated for the first time in North America in 1999. In less than three years, the geographical distribution of the virus expanded dramatically in the United States. A vaccine will be an important complement to other public health measures as this emerging pathogen becomes endemic in this continent. Phase I research studied immunogens based on the envelope protein of a U.S. West Nile virus isolate. We prepared recombinant protein and synthetic peptide antigens, and initiated immunization studies. Mice were vaccinated with the recombinant antigens, antibody responses were evaluated, and protective immunity was characterized. Phase II experiments will vaccinate horses with a promising candidate vaccine, and demonstrate that vaccination elicits protective antibodies. Experiments are designed to elicit high titer antibodies using our recombinant envelope protein antigen with aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. Subsequent experiments will determine if antibodies induced in horses can: (1) neutralize West Nile virus in vitro; (2) protect passively immunized mice from West Nile virus. This project will provide veterinarians, clinicians and public health officials with new means to manage West Nile virus outbreaks.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase II (R44)
Project #
5R44AI049646-03
Application #
6777091
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-VACC (10))
Program Officer
Repik, Patricia M
Project Start
2001-09-15
Project End
2005-06-30
Budget Start
2004-07-01
Budget End
2005-06-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$370,066
Indirect Cost
Name
L2 Diagnostics, LLC
Department
Type
DUNS #
142406110
City
New Haven
State
CT
Country
United States
Zip Code
06530
Magnarelli, Louis A; Bushmich, Sandra L; Anderson, John F et al. (2008) Serum antibodies to West Nile virus in naturally exposed and vaccinated horses. J Med Microbiol 57:1087-93
Bai, Fengwei; Wang, Tian; Pal, Utpal et al. (2005) Use of RNA interference to prevent lethal murine west nile virus infection. J Infect Dis 191:1148-54