Neonatal immunization with respiratory syncytial virus glycoprotein fragment induces protective immunity in the presence of maternal antibodies in mice.

Abstract

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of severe lower respiratory tract infections in infants and the elderly worldwide. The significant morbidity and mortality associated with this infection underscores the urgent need for development of RSV vaccine. In this study, we first show that intranasal administration of RSV glycoprotein core fragment (Gcf) to neonatal mice can induce systemic humoral immune responses and protective immunity against RSV without causing lung eosinophilia, although antibody response was shifted to a Th2 response. Next, we examined whether the presence of maternal anti-RSV antibodies would affect the responsiveness and protection efficacy of Gcf in newborn mice, since infants can possess RSV-specific maternal antibodies due to frequent RSV re-infections to adults. Intranasal administration of Gcf induced antibody response and increased IFNγ secretion and protected mice against RSV challenge without severe lung eosinophilia, even in the presence of high levels of RSV-specific maternal antibodies. Thus, our findings suggest that Gcf may be an effective and safe RSV vaccine during the neonatal period.

• Authors: Youran Noh, Byoung-Shik Shim, In Su Cheon, Semi Rho, Hee Joo Kim, Youngjoo Choi, Chang-Yuil Kang, Jun Chang, Man Ki Song, Jae-Ouk Kim
• Journal: Viral immunology (Viral Immunol) Vol. 26 Issue 4 Pg. 268-76 (Aug 2013) ISSN: 1557-8976 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23869549 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Viral
• Glycoproteins
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines
• Interferon-gamma

Topics

• Administration, Intranasal
• Animals
• Animals, Newborn (immunology)
• Antibodies, Viral (immunology)
• Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid (cytology)
• Cell Line
• Eosinophilia (immunology)
• Female
• Glycoproteins (administration & dosage, immunology)
• Immunization (methods)
• Interferon-gamma (biosynthesis, metabolism)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections (immunology, prevention & control, virology)
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines (administration & dosage, immunology)
• Respiratory Syncytial Viruses (immunology)
• Respiratory Tract Infections (immunology, prevention & control, virology)