NPJ VaccinesPub Date : 2026-01-29DOI: 10.1038/s41541-026-01379-y
Pierre-Axel Vinot, James Vigneron, Julie Marsande, Béatrice Levacher, Nicolas Tchitchek, David Klatzmann, Bertrand Bellier
{"title":"Immune checkpoint-engineered virus-like particles induce antigen-specific immune tolerance and protect against food allergy.","authors":"Pierre-Axel Vinot, James Vigneron, Julie Marsande, Béatrice Levacher, Nicolas Tchitchek, David Klatzmann, Bertrand Bellier","doi":"10.1038/s41541-026-01379-y","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41541-026-01379-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Recent advances in our understanding of immune tolerance, particularly the role of immune checkpoints in peripheral tolerance, have opened promising new avenues for therapeutic interventions in immune-related disorders. In this study, we developed a novel class of tolerogenic vaccines based on recombinant virus-like particles (tVLPs), engineered to display the immune checkpoint molecule CTLA-4 on their surface and incorporate specific antigens. These tVLPs promote the differentiation of tolerogenic dendritic cells (DCs) in vitro, characterized by a distinct functional phenotype and associated transcriptomic alterations. Furthermore, tVLPs inhibit DC activation and specifically modulate the antigen-specific T cell compartment, inducing a hyporesponsive state in effector T cells while promoting the activation of regulatory T cells (Tregs). The therapeutic efficacy of tVLPs was demonstrated in a murine model of food allergy, where five consecutive daily injections conferred protection against allergic symptoms and anaphylactic shock. Importantly, this effect was antigen-specific, long-lasting, and dependent on Tregs, as evidenced by the transfer of protection to naïve mice following adoptive transfer of Tregs from vaccinated animals. These findings establish tVLPs as a promising platform for the development of targeted immunotherapies for allergies and autoimmune diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":19335,"journal":{"name":"NPJ Vaccines","volume":" ","pages":"43"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12882936/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146086513","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Universal broad-spectrum mucosal vaccine design for human coronaviruses inspired by artificial antibodies.","authors":"Yan Wu, Jia Lu, Lijuan Fang, Xinlan Chen, Chenshu Zhao, Zhongfa Zhang, Xuerui Zhu, Xiao Gao, Haoyu Li, Yingrui Yan, Jian Shi, Jing Zhang, Pengfei Zhou, Xiaoyan Pan","doi":"10.1038/s41541-026-01375-2","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41541-026-01375-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Coronaviruses remain a challenge due to the limited or incomplete protection provided by existing vaccines, highlighting the need for improved antigen-based designs that can reduce mortality, block transmission, and provide long-lasting, broad-spectrum protection. In this study, we adapted artificial antibody strategies to display receptor-binding domains (RBDs) from representative human coronaviruses, utilizing an engineered human IgG1 framework modified at the Fab and Fc domains to support diverse antigen presentation and enhanced immunopotentiation. The results indicate that bivalent, tetravalent, and multivalent RBD constructs developed within this framework confer broad-spectrum immune protection against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and other pathogenic coronaviruses. Moreover, Fc-mediated antigen delivery, primarily engaging the neonatal Fcγ receptor, enhances mucosal, cellular, and sustained immune responses. This underscores the versatility and practical utility of the modified IgG1 framework, based on artificial antibody strategies, for developing broad-spectrum mucosal vaccine antigens, representing promising vaccine candidates targeting human coronaviruses.</p>","PeriodicalId":19335,"journal":{"name":"NPJ Vaccines","volume":"11 1","pages":"55"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12921044/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146227544","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
NPJ VaccinesPub Date : 2026-01-28DOI: 10.1038/s41541-026-01384-1
Li Wang, Cindy Adolphus, Jieru Wang, Jaber Hossain, Michael Currier, C Todd Davis, Vivien G Dugan, David E Wentworth, Bin Zhou
{"title":"Development of pre-pandemic influenza candidate vaccine viruses for use in vaccine manufacturing.","authors":"Li Wang, Cindy Adolphus, Jieru Wang, Jaber Hossain, Michael Currier, C Todd Davis, Vivien G Dugan, David E Wentworth, Bin Zhou","doi":"10.1038/s41541-026-01384-1","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41541-026-01384-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Influenza A viruses continually pose pandemic threats, underscoring the need for timely development of Candidate Vaccine Viruses (CVVs) that meet regulatory expectations for vaccine manufacturing. This protocol describes the procedures used at CDC to generate recombinant CVVs through reverse genetics in accordance with World Health Organization guidelines and CDC's internal Quality System Requirements (QSR)<sup>1-3</sup>. The QSR incorporates relevant principles from the FDA's Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulations, providing a structured framework that ensures documentation integrity, material traceability, and quality oversight during all stages of CVV development. The protocol provides detailed steps for plasmid preparation, virus rescue in Vero cells, and amplification in embryonated chicken eggs, and outlines characterization assays used to confirm the suitability and safety attributes of each CVV. This standardized, quality-driven workflow has supported multiple regulatory submissions and facilitated the transition from CVV development to vaccine manufacturing, strengthening pandemic preparedness.</p>","PeriodicalId":19335,"journal":{"name":"NPJ Vaccines","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12957444/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147348565","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
NPJ VaccinesPub Date : 2026-01-27DOI: 10.1038/s41541-025-01339-y
Jenny Hernandez-Davies, Jiin Felgner, Erwin Strahsburger, Jacob Laster, Aarti Jain, Timothy Yates, Emily Silzel, Rafael Assis, Rie Nakajima, Algimantas Jasinskas, Andriy Yeromin, Egest J Pone, Sharon Jan, Luis M de la Maza, Li Liang, Philip Felgner, Lisa E Wagar, Anthony E Gregory, D Huw Davies
{"title":"Comparative evaluation of 5 combination adjuvants on immunogenicity and efficacy of approved seasonal influenza vaccines.","authors":"Jenny Hernandez-Davies, Jiin Felgner, Erwin Strahsburger, Jacob Laster, Aarti Jain, Timothy Yates, Emily Silzel, Rafael Assis, Rie Nakajima, Algimantas Jasinskas, Andriy Yeromin, Egest J Pone, Sharon Jan, Luis M de la Maza, Li Liang, Philip Felgner, Lisa E Wagar, Anthony E Gregory, D Huw Davies","doi":"10.1038/s41541-025-01339-y","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41541-025-01339-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The benefits of adjuvants for enhancing vaccine immunogenicity and efficacy are well known. Numerous novel adjuvants are at advanced levels of characterization, including some in clinical trials. However, understanding the relative benefits of each is hindered by a lack of comparative studies between adjuvants within the same study. To address this, we have performed a side-by-side comparison of 5 novel combination adjuvants (Alhydroxyquim-II, T-VANT, TRAC-478, IVAX-1 and IVAX-3) by formulating each with two approved seasonal influenza vaccines, Flublok® and Fluzone HD®, and assessing immunogenicity and efficacy in female and male C57Bl/6 mice. Although all tested adjuvants were immunogenic and protective against H1N1 challenge, T-VANT, TRAC-478 and IVAX-1 and -3 were associated with systemic inflammatory cytokines and robust Th1 responses, while Alhydroxyquim-II elicited lower levels of inflammatory cytokines and a Th2 response. Greater morbidity after challenge was also detected in males compared to females. Side-by-side comparisons of existing and novel adjuvants with the same antigen and model system will help inform rational adjuvant selection and guide vaccine development for influenza and other infectious diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":19335,"journal":{"name":"NPJ Vaccines","volume":" ","pages":"30"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12852915/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146065407","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
NPJ VaccinesPub Date : 2026-01-24DOI: 10.1038/s41541-025-01368-7
Sarah E Attreed, Christina Silva, Monica Rodriguez-Calzada, Ryan D Heimroth, Michael Oldakowski, Carolina Stenfeldt, Paul Azzinaro, Edward Spinard, Aishwarya Mogulothu, Steffen Mueller, Bruce Taillon, Jonathan Arzt, Elizabeth Rieder, Teresa de Los Santos, Fayna Díaz-San Segundo, Gisselle N Medina
{"title":"Live-attenuated foot-and-mouth disease virus vaccine engineered by codon deoptimization induces a strong protective immune response in cattle.","authors":"Sarah E Attreed, Christina Silva, Monica Rodriguez-Calzada, Ryan D Heimroth, Michael Oldakowski, Carolina Stenfeldt, Paul Azzinaro, Edward Spinard, Aishwarya Mogulothu, Steffen Mueller, Bruce Taillon, Jonathan Arzt, Elizabeth Rieder, Teresa de Los Santos, Fayna Díaz-San Segundo, Gisselle N Medina","doi":"10.1038/s41541-025-01368-7","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41541-025-01368-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a fast-spreading, economically devastating veterinary viral disease. While inactivated vaccines have contributed to FMD control worldwide, recent outbreaks in Europe and Asia highlight the need for new control strategies. Live-attenuated virus (LAV) vaccines provide strong and long-lasting protection. We previously demonstrated that deoptimization of various viral coding regions results in attenuated foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). Here, an FMDV A24Cruzeiro LAV with codon deoptimized P2/P3 regions (A24-P2/P3Deopt) and markers differentiating infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA) was tested for safety/efficacy in cattle. Animals inoculated intradermolingually (IDL) with 10<sup>6</sup> or 10<sup>7</sup> pfu of A24-P2/P3Deopt for safety testing exhibited no clinical signs, viremia or viral shedding for 28 days post inoculation (DPI). To assess efficacy, cattle were subcutaneously inoculated either once with 10<sup>5</sup> pfu or twice (0- and 14-dpi) with 10<sup>4</sup>, 10<sup>5</sup> or 10<sup>6</sup> pfu A24-P2/P3Deopt. No animal developed signs of disease post-inoculation. All prime-boost vaccinated animals developed strong neutralizing antibody responses that were protective against challenge with WT FMDV A24. Moreover, vaccinated sera showed strong cross-reactivity against several A strains and serotype Asia1. Our work demonstrates that codon deoptimization is a viable technology to derive novel LAV candidates that are safe, immunogenic and efficacious against FMD in cattle.</p>","PeriodicalId":19335,"journal":{"name":"NPJ Vaccines","volume":" ","pages":"48"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12894751/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146044035","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Recombinant vaccinia vectored ASFV vaccine enhances swine survival against genotype II challenge.","authors":"Lanlan Dong, Nan Gao, Renqiang Liu, Kangli Cao, Ai Xia, Tianhan Yang, Xinghao Pan, Cuisong Zhu, Ziling Zhang, Dongming Zhao, Chen Zhao, Xiaoyan Zhang, Jianqing Xu","doi":"10.1038/s41541-026-01377-0","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41541-026-01377-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) poses a major threat to global livestock production by infecting both domestic and wild pigs, causing significant economic loss. Despite promising protective results observed with live attenuated viruses, the safety concern blocked its extensive application. In this study, we developed a novel vaccine combining two recombinant vaccinia viruses-rTTV-D-A and rTTV-K-J-that together express eight ASFV genes, including EP402R (CD2v), B646L (p72), B602L (pB602L), D117L (p17), H240R (pH240R), B438L (p49), E183L (p54), CP204L (p30), and a synthetic T antigen composed of conserved T cell epitopes from multiple ASFV proteins, aiming to induce both humoral and T-cell immune responses against different viral antigens. After demonstrating that this vaccine induced antigen-specific humoral and cellular responses in both mice and swine, its protective efficacy in swine was examined using a lethal challenge model. The vaccinated pigs showed a promising protection against the lethal challenge of a virulent genotype II ASFV strain (100 HAD<sub>50</sub>/pig), with 4 out of 6 surviving, while all control animals succumbed from 9 to 15 days post challenge. Importantly, the protection was further evidenced by the recovery to normal temperature and no ASFV infection-related clinical signs or virus shedding in surviving pigs over a 21-day observation period. Our results support the potential of rTTV-D-A and rTTV-K-J as a novel multi-immunogen vaccinia-vectored ASFV vaccine. Further studies are warranted to explore and improve its use as a standalone vaccine or in combination with other vaccine platforms to achieve broad and effective protection against ASFV.</p>","PeriodicalId":19335,"journal":{"name":"NPJ Vaccines","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12932654/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146041388","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
NPJ VaccinesPub Date : 2026-01-22DOI: 10.1038/s41541-026-01378-z
João Paulo Portela Catani, Anouk Smet, Tine Ysenbaert, Laura Amelinck, Koen Sedeyn, Xavier Saelens, Thorsten U Vogel
{"title":"Immunogenicity and protection of octavalent influenza vaccine candidates using adjuvanted proteins or mRNA-LNPs in naïve mice.","authors":"João Paulo Portela Catani, Anouk Smet, Tine Ysenbaert, Laura Amelinck, Koen Sedeyn, Xavier Saelens, Thorsten U Vogel","doi":"10.1038/s41541-026-01378-z","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41541-026-01378-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Currently used influenza vaccines primarily induce antibody responses against hemagglutinin (HA). Neuraminidase (NA) has been proposed as a complementary antigen to improve and potentially expand the breadth of influenza vaccine protection. Here, we assessed the immunogenicity and protective potential of adjuvanted recombinant protein- and mRNA-LNP-based octavalent influenza vaccine formulations in naïve mice. The vaccine candidates contained HA and NA derived from the viruses recommended for the 2018-2019 Northern Hemisphere quadrivalent influenza vaccine. Both adjuvanted recombinant protein and mRNA-LNP formats fully protected mice against challenge with homologous H1N1, influenza B, and HxN2 viruses. However, the octavalent mRNA-LNP vaccine elicited higher serum IgG titers against both HA and NA compared with the adjuvanted octavalent recombinant protein vaccine in this animal model. Furthermore, the octavalent mRNA-LNP vaccine also protected mice against challenge with the historical H3N2 virus strains X31, X47, and X79. This protection correlated with the presence of HA cross-reactive serum antibodies and was confirmed by passive transfer of immune serum into unvaccinated mice.</p>","PeriodicalId":19335,"journal":{"name":"NPJ Vaccines","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12929725/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146030256","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Antigen cross-presentation potentiating cancer vaccine adjuvant for T cell expansion and synergy with anti-PD-1.","authors":"Giang Chau Dang, Vandara Loeurng, Paopachapich Pa, Chheng Y Seng, Shee Eun Lee, Joon Haeng Rhee","doi":"10.1038/s41541-026-01376-1","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41541-026-01376-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Therapeutic cancer vaccines (TCVs) remain limited in their capacity to elicit robust CD8⁺ cytolytic T lymphocyte responses. An effective cancer vaccine adjuvant should promote expansion of antigen-specific T cells through cross-presentation by type 1 conventional dendritic cells (cDC1s). For anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, being frequently combined with cancer vaccines, requires an expanded pool of precursor-exhausted CD8⁺ T (Tpex) cells. Here, we report Flt3L-FlaB (FB), a hybrid adjuvant that integrates FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3L) with the TLR5 agonist flagellin B (FlaB). FB significantly expanded and activated cDC1s, accompanied by increased CD8⁺ T cells with stem-like memory (Tscm) and Tpex phenotypes in tumors and draining lymph nodes. FB-adjuvanted TCVs, combined with anti-PD-1 therapy, achieved potentiated tumor suppression and provided durable protection against metastasis and high-dose tumor rechallenge. These results establish FB as a potent TCV adjuvant with strong translational potential, particularly the combination with anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors.</p>","PeriodicalId":19335,"journal":{"name":"NPJ Vaccines","volume":" ","pages":"56"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12921283/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146019047","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
NPJ VaccinesPub Date : 2026-01-19DOI: 10.1038/s41541-026-01372-5
Xiao Li, Lander Willem, Dominique Roberfroid, Joke Bilcke, Diego Castanares Zapatero, Christophe De Meester, Zhuxin Mao, Nancy Thiry, Philippe Beutels
{"title":"Cost-effectiveness of maternal vaccine and/or monoclonal antibody strategies against respiratory syncytial virus in Belgian infants.","authors":"Xiao Li, Lander Willem, Dominique Roberfroid, Joke Bilcke, Diego Castanares Zapatero, Christophe De Meester, Zhuxin Mao, Nancy Thiry, Philippe Beutels","doi":"10.1038/s41541-026-01372-5","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41541-026-01372-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) burden and cost-effectiveness of infant RSV immunisation was evaluated by comparing seven strategies in terms of costs and Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) from health care payer's perspective: no universal immunisation, year-round or seasonal maternal vaccination (MV), year-round or seasonal nirsevimab (NmAb) at birth, seasonal NmAb+catch-up for infants ≤ 6-month and a combined MV+NmAb with catch-up strategy. Seasonal NmAb+catch-up averted the most disease, while seasonal MV averted the least, but had the lowest incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (€11,276/QALY gained) at current list prices (MV €186, NmAb €778). Extensive trade-offs between NmAb and MV show at which cost per dose which strategy would be deemed cost-effective. At a willingness to pay of €35,000/QALY gained, seasonal NmAb + catch-up was preferred if NmAb < €210; otherwise, seasonal or year-round MV was preferred when MV < €220 or <€75, respectively. The combined strategy became preferred at low MV and NmAb costs. Besides price level, cost-effectiveness was most sensitive to RSV hospital burden.</p>","PeriodicalId":19335,"journal":{"name":"NPJ Vaccines","volume":" ","pages":"52"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12913786/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146003882","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
NPJ VaccinesPub Date : 2026-01-17DOI: 10.1038/s41541-025-01355-y
Linda Earnest, Daniel Fernandez Ruiz, Melissa A Edeling, Julio Carrera Montoya, Ashley Huey Yiing Yap, Chinn Yi Wong, Lauren E Holz, Stephanie Gras, Simon Collett, James P Cooney, Kathryn C Davidson, Samantha L Grimley, Damian F J Purcell, Jason Roberts, Jamie Mumford, Chee Wah Tan, Lin-Fa Wang, Dale I Godfrey, Matthew Frieman, Dhiraj Hans, Elizabeth Vincan, Danielle E Anderson, Kanta Subbarao, Marc Pellegrini, Jason M Mackenzie, Steven Rockman, William R Heath, Joseph Torresi
{"title":"Preclinical development of a cross-protective β-SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particle vaccine adjuvanted with MF59.","authors":"Linda Earnest, Daniel Fernandez Ruiz, Melissa A Edeling, Julio Carrera Montoya, Ashley Huey Yiing Yap, Chinn Yi Wong, Lauren E Holz, Stephanie Gras, Simon Collett, James P Cooney, Kathryn C Davidson, Samantha L Grimley, Damian F J Purcell, Jason Roberts, Jamie Mumford, Chee Wah Tan, Lin-Fa Wang, Dale I Godfrey, Matthew Frieman, Dhiraj Hans, Elizabeth Vincan, Danielle E Anderson, Kanta Subbarao, Marc Pellegrini, Jason M Mackenzie, Steven Rockman, William R Heath, Joseph Torresi","doi":"10.1038/s41541-025-01355-y","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41541-025-01355-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Whilst COVID vaccines proved to be effective in preventing severe COVID disease, they failed to control the emergence of variant viruses and antibody responses waned quickly. We report the findings of a recombinant β-SARS-CoV-2 variant virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine composed of the viral spike (S), membrane (M) and envelope (E) proteins produced in Vero cell factories. The β-SARS-CoV-2 VLP vaccine formulated with Addavax or MF59 produced strong antibody and CD4 + T cell responses and was protective in mice against pulmonary infection with Beta, Delta and Omicron BA.5 variant viruses. Multiplex RBD-ACE2 binding inhibition assay was performed as a surrogate virus neutralisation test and revealed immune sera from immunised mice produced low-titre broad-inhibitory anti-RBD-ACE2 antibodies (sNAb) to Alpha, Delta, Beta, Gamma, Mu, Omicron BA.1, BA.2, BA.5 and XBB1.5. However, microneutralisation assays did not show the presence of sNAb. The β-SARS-CoV-2 VLP is strongly immunogenic producing broad antibody and T cell responses and is protective against infection with SARS-CoV-2 variant viruses.</p>","PeriodicalId":19335,"journal":{"name":"NPJ Vaccines","volume":" ","pages":"34"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12858910/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145994450","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}