Our main vaccine platform is based on recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSVs), a live-attenuate vaccine approach. Over the years we have generated several rVSVs expressing the glycoproteins (GP) of representative isolates of all ebolavirus species: Sudan ebolavirus (SEBOV), Zaire ebolavirus (ZEBOV), Ta forest ebolavirus (TFEBOV), Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BEBOV) and Reston ebolavirus (REBOV). Additionally, we generated rVSVs expressing the GPs of two isolates of MARV, Musoke and Angola. All vaccine vectors have been extensively characterized in cell culture and their protective efficacy has been evaluated in animal models (rodents, nonhuman primates) against homologous challenges. In an effort to decipher the mechanism of protection of the rVSV vaccine vectors we used the rVSV-ZEBOV as a model. We could demonstrate in nonhuman primates that antibodies specific to the foreign immunogen play a critical role in protection. Recent similar work also confirmed a role of antibodies for the mechanism of protection mediated by the rVSV vaccine vector against MARV. Overall, we postulate that antibodies (total and neutralizing IgG) play a key role for the mechanism of protection for all rVSV-based vaccine candidates. In response to the recent Ebola outbreak in West Africa, the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine candidate was fast-tracked and shown to be safe and immunogenic in humans. Phase III clinical trials with this vaccine candidate were initiated in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. To support the clinical trials we have shown that the GMP-produced rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine lot used in West Africa protects against challenge with a recent local isolate, a proof that had been missing at trial start. A first preliminary report published in Lancet from the human trial in Guinea reports success of the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine in a ring vaccination approach. This remarkable outcome is supported by another recent study of our group in nonhuman primates looking into the minimum time needed for protection. We could demonstrate complete protection when rVSV-ZEBOV was administered at least one week and partial protection when administered as close as three days prior to challenge. Overall, this is a milestone achievement in the development of Ebola virus countermeasures. Cross-protection among the different Ebolavirus species and Marburgvirus is an important consideration, but is thought to be difficult to achieve due to relatively high genetic variability and the general lack of cross-protective antibodies among genera in particular, but also among species within a single genus. In a first attempt to address this issue, we previously used a single-injection protocol with three blended vaccine vectors (rVSV-SEBOV, rVSV-ZEBOV and rVSV-MARV) and demonstrated complete protection against challenge with the three homologous virus species. We have also performed another proof-of-concept study, in which we evaluated cross-protection following immunization with a single vaccine vector (rVSV-ZEBOVgp or rVSV-TFEBOV) and demonstrated partial cross-protection against challenge with a heterologous virus species (BEBOV). This demonstrates that monovalent rVSV-based vaccines may be useful against a newly emerging filovirus species; however, heterologous protection across species remains challenging and may depend on enhancing the immune responses either through booster immunizations or through the inclusion of multiple immunogens. Overall, we can conclude that single monovalent rVSV vaccine vectors can provide partial cross-protection in cases of challenge virus species that are genetically more closely related. As mentioned above, one approach to overcome this limitation is the use of blended monovalent rVSV vaccine vectors, which provide broader protection against homologous and partial protection against certain heterologous challenges. Another approach to overcome the limitations in cross-protection is the use of multivalent rVSV vaccine vectors. In a proof-of-concept study in rodent models protection against ZEBOV and Andes virus (ANDV) challenge was demonstrated using a single rVSV vector expressing both the ZEBOV GP and the ANDV glycoprotein. This data showed that the use of bivalent rVSV vectors are a feasible approach to vaccination against multiple pathogens. Therefore, we have developed a single vector expressing ZEBOV GP and influenza H5 hemaglutinin and are in the process of evaluating the protective efficacy against lethal H5N1 challenge. Additionally, we are also working towards rVSV-ZEBOV-based Zika virus (ZIKV) vaccine as both pathogens share overlapping endemic areas in Africa. In a fist study this vaccine was even further attenuated compared to rVSV-ZEBOV and protected mice from lethal ZIKV challenge. We are currently evaluating if this vaccine is still protective against ZEBOV infection. Based on the results described above, we have over the past fiscal years successfully generated additional bivalent and trivalent rVSV vectors expressing two or three different antigens, one as a transmembrane protein (replacing the VSV glycoprotein) and one or two as soluble antigens that will be secreted during vector replication. Recovery of these recombinant vaccine viruses turned out to be difficult but has recently been successful. In vitro characterization of these vectors, including viral growth curves and verification of foreign antigen expression has been completed. Efficacy testing in the appropriate rodent models has resulted in promising results; nonhuman primate studies are scheduled.
| Emanuel, Jackson; Callison, Julie; Dowd, Kimberly A et al. (2018) A VSV-based Zika virus vaccine protects mice from lethal challenge. Sci Rep 8:11043 |
| Domi, Arban; Feldmann, Friederike; Basu, Rahul et al. (2018) A Single Dose of Modified Vaccinia Ankara expressing Ebola Virus Like Particles Protects Nonhuman Primates from Lethal Ebola Virus Challenge. Sci Rep 8:864 |
| Best, Sonja M; Feldmann, Heinz (2018) Tip Your Cap for Ebola Virus Neutralization. Immunity 49:204-206 |
| Suder, Ellen; Furuyama, Wakako; Feldmann, Heinz et al. (2018) The vesicular stomatitis virus-based Ebola virus vaccine: From concept to clinical trials. Hum Vaccin Immunother :1-7 |
| Menicucci, Andrea R; Sureshchandra, Suhas; Marzi, Andrea et al. (2017) Transcriptomic analysis reveals a previously unknown role for CD8+ T-cells in rVSV-EBOV mediated protection. Sci Rep 7:919 |
| Prescott, Joseph B; Marzi, Andrea; Safronetz, David et al. (2017) Immunobiology of Ebola and Lassa virus infections. Nat Rev Immunol 17:195-207 |
| Banadyga, Logan; Marzi, Andrea (2017) Closer than ever to an Ebola virus vaccine. Expert Rev Vaccines 16:401-402 |
| Reynolds, Pierce; Marzi, Andrea (2017) Ebola and Marburg virus vaccines. Virus Genes 53:501-515 |
| Mire, Chad E; Geisbert, Thomas W; Feldmann, Heinz et al. (2016) Ebola virus vaccines - reality or fiction? Expert Rev Vaccines 15:1421-1430 |
| Marzi, Andrea; Murphy, Aisling A; Feldmann, Friederike et al. (2016) Cytomegalovirus-based vaccine expressing Ebola virus glycoprotein protects nonhuman primates from Ebola virus infection. Sci Rep 6:21674 |
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