Herpesvirus Vaccines

A special issue of Vaccines (ISSN 2076-393X). This special issue belongs to the section "Clinical Immunology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 27530

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National Reference Laboratory for African Swine Fever, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Umbria-Marche “Togo Rosati”, 06126 Perugia, Italy
Interests: herpesviruses; pestiviruses; African swine fever virus; circovirus; swine influenza virus; porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus; cell biology; DNA immunization; chimeric vaccines; experimental infection in vivo and in vitro under BSL3 facilities
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1. Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Section of Clinical Neurology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
2. Department of Neurology, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
Interests: human herpesviruses; neurodegenerative diseases; COVID-19
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Herpesviruses are distributed widely throughout the animal kingdom and are responsible for several human and veterinary diseases.  A key characteristic of herpesvirus infections is the establishment of latency in which the virus persists lifelong in the host following primary infection.  Herpesviruses achieve a latent state with the host through the adoption of a range of strategies including existing in a virtually non-replicating state and producing certain proteins downregulating the hosts’ specific immune responses.  Periodically, herpesviruses may reactivate from the latent state to a replicating, lytic state involving the production of new proteins which may manifest new disease in the host and instigate an active immune response.  In humans, eight herpesviruses have been described including Herpes Simplex virus (HSV), Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Epstein Barr virus (EBV) which are responsible for several diseases following primary infection and reactivation. In many instances, primary infections are mild and self-limiting (eg. chickenpox); however, if the host’s immune responses are deficient or suppressed serious and potentially life-threatening infections may result.  In veterinary medicine, different herpesvirus infections (eg. Bovine herpesvirus; Bubaline herpesvirus; Equine herpesvirus; Ovine herpesvirus; Caprine herpesvirus) are responsible of serious economic losses for the animal farms. Although effective vaccines are available against some human herpesviruses (eg. VZV) and different animal herpesviruses (Bovine alphaherpesvirus 1, BoHV-1; Equine alphaherpesvirus 1/4, EHV1/4; Suid alphaherpesvirus 1, SuHV-1), there is an ongoing need to develop vaccines for other human (eg. CMV, EBV, HSV) and animal herpesviruses (eg. Bovine alphaherpesvirus 2, BoHV2; Bovine alphaherpesvirus 5, BoHV-5; Bubaline alphaherpesvirus 1, BuHV-1; Caprine alphaherpesvirus 1; CpHV-1; Ovine gammaherpesvirus 2, OvHV-2). The protective measures aimed to control different animal herpesviruses infection include immunization with live attenuated or inactivated vaccines. An additional area of development specifically relevant to herpesviruses of veterinary importance is the use of marker vaccines. These products by appropriate laboratory tests, offer the possibility of differentiating between natural infected and vaccinated animals. Finally, there is interest in the use of herpesviruses as vectors for transmitting heterologous immunogens.  The development of effective herpesvirus vaccines has proved challenging and various technological approaches have been undertaken to develop and evaluate new herpesvirus vaccines with differing levels of success. 

Dr. Stefano Petrini
Dr. Peter Maple
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • Herpersvirus
  • vaccines

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 172 KiB  
Editorial
Herpesvirus Vaccines
by Stefano Petrini and Peter Maple
Vaccines 2022, 10(4), 628; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10040628 - 18 Apr 2022
Viewed by 1838
Abstract
The Special Issue titled “Herpesvirus Vaccines” contains different articles and a review regarding veterinary and human herpesviruses [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Herpesvirus Vaccines)

Research

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13 pages, 280 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Safety and Efficacy of an Inactivated Marker Vaccine against Bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) in Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)
by Stefano Petrini, Alessandra Martucciello, Francesco Grandoni, Giovanna De Matteis, Giovanna Cappelli, Monica Giammarioli, Eleonora Scoccia, Carlo Grassi, Cecilia Righi, Giovanna Fusco, Giorgio Galiero, Michela Pela, Gian Mario De Mia and Esterina De Carlo
Vaccines 2021, 9(4), 355; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9040355 - 7 Apr 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2633
Abstract
Recent studies have explored the seropositivity of Bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) in water buffaloes, suggesting the urgency for developing strategies to eradicate the virus involving both cattle and water buffaloes. However, in Europe, the glycoprotein E (gE) deleted marker vaccines against BoHV-1 are [...] Read more.
Recent studies have explored the seropositivity of Bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) in water buffaloes, suggesting the urgency for developing strategies to eradicate the virus involving both cattle and water buffaloes. However, in Europe, the glycoprotein E (gE) deleted marker vaccines against BoHV-1 are commercially available only for the cattle industry. This study, for the first time, evaluated the safety and efficacy of a commercial inactivated gE-deleted marker vaccine in water buffalo. Five animals devoid of BoHV-1-neutralizing antibodies were vaccinated via intramuscular route. Five additional animals served as an unvaccinated control group. Sixty days after the first immunization, all animals were experimentally infected with a virulent BoHV-1via intranasal route. A detectable BoHV-1-humoral immune response was observed in the vaccinated group on post-vaccination day 30, whereas the antibodies appeared on post-challenge day 10 in the control group. Moreover, the vaccinated animals neither show viral shedding nor clinical signs compared to the control upon challenge. However, post-challenge, the BoHV-1-specific humoral and cell-mediated immune responses were significantly more increased in vaccinated animals than the control animals. Overall, the present study provides evidence of both the safety and efficacy of an inactivated gE-deleted marker vaccine against BoHV-1 in water buffaloes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Herpesvirus Vaccines)
13 pages, 1168 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Three Different Vaccination Protocols against EHV1/EHV4 Infection in Mares: Double Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial
by Anna-Rita Attili, Renato Colognato, Silvia Preziuso, Martina Moriconi, Silvia Valentini, Stefano Petrini, Gian Mario De Mia and Vincenzo Cuteri
Vaccines 2020, 8(2), 268; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines8020268 - 1 Jun 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3736
Abstract
EHV1 and EHV4 are the most important herpesviruses in horses. Repeated cases of abortion in mares regularly vaccinated, prompted us to investigate the immune response after vaccination with the same inactivated vaccine, but with three different protocols. Eighteen mares were chosen and randomly [...] Read more.
EHV1 and EHV4 are the most important herpesviruses in horses. Repeated cases of abortion in mares regularly vaccinated, prompted us to investigate the immune response after vaccination with the same inactivated vaccine, but with three different protocols. Eighteen mares were chosen and randomly divided in three study groups (G1-G2-G3) and a control group (Ctrl). For serologic and PCR investigations nasal swabs, sera and blood were collected. The protocol used in G3 (4 doses) increased the titer recorded by ELISA and seroneutralization (SN). Poor agreement and no correlation were observed in titer values between ELISA and SN and between SN and PCR. A very weak positive correlation between ELISA and PCR was obtained. Seven out of 18 nasal swabs were positive by PCR; none showed viremia and no abortion occurred, regardless of vaccination status and despite active circulation of EHV-1 in the farm at the time of the study. The study was conducted in field conditions, in a susceptible population with a known history of infection and abortion, and among the three protocols, the one proposed in the G1 was the least efficient while the one proposed for the G3, seems to have induced a higher antibody titer in both SN and ELISA. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Herpesvirus Vaccines)
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20 pages, 2778 KiB  
Article
Immunization with Human Cytomegalovirus Core Fusion Machinery and Accessory Envelope Proteins Elicit Strong Synergistic Neutralizing Activities
by Xinle Cui, Zhouhong Cao, Shuishu Wang, Stuart P. Adler, Michael A. McVoy and Clifford M. Snapper
Vaccines 2020, 8(2), 179; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines8020179 - 13 Apr 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3133
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) core fusion machinery proteins gB and gH/gL, and accessory proteins UL128/UL130/UL131A, are the key envelope proteins that mediate HCMV entry into and infection of host cells. To determine whether these HCMV envelope proteins could elicit neutralizing activities synergistically, we immunized [...] Read more.
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) core fusion machinery proteins gB and gH/gL, and accessory proteins UL128/UL130/UL131A, are the key envelope proteins that mediate HCMV entry into and infection of host cells. To determine whether these HCMV envelope proteins could elicit neutralizing activities synergistically, we immunized rabbits with individual or various combinations of these proteins adsorbed to aluminum hydroxide mixed with CpG-ODN. We then analyzed serum neutralizing activities with multiple HCMV laboratory strains and clinical isolates. HCMV trimeric gB and gH/gL elicited high and moderate titers of HCMV neutralizing activity, respectively. HCMV gB in combination with gH/gL elicited up to 17-fold higher HCMV neutralizing activities compared to the sum of neutralizing activity elicited by the individual proteins analyzed with both fibroblasts and epithelial cells. HCMV gB+gH/gL+UL128/UL130/UL131A in combination increased the neutralizing activity up to 32-fold compared to the sum of neutralizing activities elicited by the individual proteins analyzed with epithelial cells. Adding UL128/UL130/UL131A to gB and gH/gL combination did not increase further the HCMV neutralizing activity analyzed with fibroblasts. These data suggest that the combination of HCMV core fusion machinery envelope proteins gB+gH/gL or the combination of gB and pentameric complex could be ideal vaccine candidates that would induce optimal immune responses against HCMV infection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Herpesvirus Vaccines)
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10 pages, 218 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Passive Immunity Induced by Immunisation Using Two Inactivated gE-deleted Marker Vaccines against Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) in Calves
by Stefano Petrini, Cecilia Righi, Carmen Iscaro, Giulio Viola, Paola Gobbi, Eleonora Scoccia, Elisabetta Rossi, Claudia Pellegrini and Gian Mario De Mia
Vaccines 2020, 8(1), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines8010014 - 4 Jan 2020
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3931
Abstract
Different types of vaccines against Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) are commercially available. Among these, inactivated glycoprotein E (gE)-deleted marker vaccines are commonly used, but their ability to induce passive immunity is poorly known. Here, we evaluated the passive immunity transferred from dams immunised [...] Read more.
Different types of vaccines against Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) are commercially available. Among these, inactivated glycoprotein E (gE)-deleted marker vaccines are commonly used, but their ability to induce passive immunity is poorly known. Here, we evaluated the passive immunity transferred from dams immunised with commercial inactivated gE-deleted marker vaccines to calves. We vaccinated 12 pregnant cattle devoid of neutralising antibodies against Bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) and divided them into two groups with 6 animals each. Both groups were injected with a different inactivated gE-deleted marker vaccine administrated via intranasal or intramuscular routes. An additional 6 pregnant cattle served as the unvaccinated control group. After calving, the number of animals in each group was increased by the newborn calves. In the dams, the humoral immune response was evaluated before calving and, subsequently, at different times until post-calving day 180 (PCD180). In addition, the antibodies in colostrum, milk, and in serum samples from newborn calves were evaluated at different times until PCD180. The results indicated that inactivated glycoprotein E (gE)-deleted marker vaccines are safe and produce a good humoral immune response in pregnant cattle until calving and PCD180. Moreover, results showed that, in calf serum, passive immunity persists until PCD180. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Herpesvirus Vaccines)
15 pages, 1829 KiB  
Article
Simultaneous Deletion of Virulence Factors and Insertion of Antigens into the Infectious Laryngotracheitis Virus Using NHEJ-CRISPR/Cas9 and Cre–Lox System for Construction of a Stable Vaccine Vector
by Mustafa Ozan Atasoy, Mohammed A. Rohaim and Muhammad Munir
Vaccines 2019, 7(4), 207; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines7040207 - 5 Dec 2019
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 5569
Abstract
Infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) is a promising vaccine vector due to its heterologous gene accommodation capabilities, low pathogenicity, and potential to induce cellular and humoral arms of immunity. Owing to these characteristics, different gene-deletion versions of ILTVs have been successfully deployed as a [...] Read more.
Infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) is a promising vaccine vector due to its heterologous gene accommodation capabilities, low pathogenicity, and potential to induce cellular and humoral arms of immunity. Owing to these characteristics, different gene-deletion versions of ILTVs have been successfully deployed as a vector platform for the development of recombinant vaccines against multiple avian viruses using conventional recombination methods, which are tedious, time-demanding, and error-prone. Here, we applied a versatile, and customisable clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 accompanied with Cre–Lox system to simultaneously delete virulence factors and to insert foreign genes in the ILTV genome. Using this pipeline, we successfully deleted thymidine kinase (TK) and unique short 4 (US4) genes and inserted fusion (F) gene of the Newcastle disease virus without adversely affecting ILTV replication and expression of the F protein. Taken together, the proposed approach offers novel tools to attenuate (by deletion of virulence factor) and to generate multivalent (by insertion of heterologous genes) vaccine vectors to protect chickens against pathogens of poultry and public health importance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Herpesvirus Vaccines)
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Review

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12 pages, 248 KiB  
Review
Cytomegalovirus and Epstein–Barr Virus Associations with Neurological Diseases and the Need for Vaccine Development
by Peter A. C. Maple
Vaccines 2020, 8(1), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines8010035 - 20 Jan 2020
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4612
Abstract
Herpesviruses have been isolated from a wide range of hosts including humans—for which, nine species have been designated. The human herpesviruses are highly host adapted and possess the capacity for latency, allowing them to survive in the host for life, effectively hidden from [...] Read more.
Herpesviruses have been isolated from a wide range of hosts including humans—for which, nine species have been designated. The human herpesviruses are highly host adapted and possess the capacity for latency, allowing them to survive in the host for life, effectively hidden from the immune system. This ability of human herpesviruses to modulate the host immune response poses particular challenges for vaccine development but at the same time proves attractive for the application of human herpesvirus vaccines to certain spheres of medicine. In this review, congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and hearing loss will be described followed by a comment on the status of current vaccine development. Secondly, the association of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection with multiple sclerosis (MS) and how EBV vaccination may be of benefit will then be discussed. Prevention of congenital CMV by vaccination is an attractive proposition and several vaccines have been evaluated for potential use. Particularly challenging for the development of CMV vaccines are the needs to prevent primary infection, reinfection, and reactivation at the same time as overcoming the capacity of the virus to generate highly sophisticated immunomodulatory mechanisms. Cost and the practicalities of administering potential vaccines are also significant issues, particularly for low- and middle-income countries, where the burden of disease is greatest. An effective EBV vaccine that could prevent the 200,000 new EBV-associated malignancies which occur globally each year is not currently available. There is increasing interest in developing EBV vaccines to prevent MS and, in view of the association of infectious mononucleosis with MS, reducing childhood infectious mononucleosis is a potential intervention. Currently, there is no licensed EBV vaccine and, in order to progress the development of EBV vaccines for preventing MS, a greater understanding of the association of EBV with MS is required. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Herpesvirus Vaccines)
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