Kansas Biosciences Authority /National Pork Board Joint Call Funded Projects
Development of recombinant vaccinia virus vectored African swine fever vaccines
Kansas State University PI: Wenjun Ma
Kansas State University Co-I: Zhilong Yang
07/01/2015 – 06/30/2016
Abstract:
African swine fever (ASF) is an infectious and economically important disease of domestic pigs caused by the African swine fever virus (ASFV) that belongs to the family of Asfarviridae. Although ASF is endemic in Africa, disease outbreaks have also occurred in Europe, South America and the Caribbean showing the potential for rapid international spread. Currently, there is no vaccine for ASF. Previous studies have shown that the use of individual recombinant ASFV proteins as immunogens only provides partial protection, and cellular immunity is necessary to provide protection by attenuated ASFV in pigs. This indicates that complete protection may require responses to multiple viral proteins and also involve cellular immunity.
Poxvirus such as vaccinia virus stain Copenhagen (VACV-COP) has been demonstrated to be an efficient and safe expression vector for development of human and veterinary vaccines and is able to induce specific humoral and cellular immune responses against expressed foreign antigens in vaccinated species, resulting in efficient protection. In this proposed proposal, we will use the VACV-COP to express ASFV proteins p17, p30, p54 and p72, all of which have been shown to induce neutralizing antibodies. The resultant recombinant viruses VACV-COP-p30+p45 and VACV-COP-p17+p72 will be characterized in vitro and used as ASF vaccine candidates. Their safety, immunogenicity (including specific serologic responses and cellular immunity) and efficacy will be evaluated in pigs. The long-term goal of the project will be the development of efficacious cross protective vaccinia-based vectored vaccines for ASF.
Construct and Test Recombinant Adenoviruses Vectoring African Swine Fever Virus Genes in Inducing Immune Protection in Pigs
USDA-ARS PI: James Zhu
USDA-ARS Co-PI: Manuel Borca
07/01/2015 – 06/30/2016
Abstract:
Pork producers and their advisors on the appropriate Checkoff committee will use this description to help them assign an industry priority to the proposal after it has been reviewed by experts for scientific soundness. Please be complete, concise and convey your answers in a manner appropriate for the audience.
African swine fever (ASF) is a foreign swine viral disease caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV). Despite of extensive research, there are currently no vaccines available to control this disease due to the biological complexity involved. We have used functional genomics and computational biology approaches to understand why it is difficult to develop ASF vaccines. Based on our results together with published research, we designed an innovative blueprint of adenovirus-vectored ASF vaccine candidate, aiming to induce the immune response that can be translated into immune protection against ASFV. The objective of the proposed research is to conduct a proof of principle study by constructing and testing this vectored ASF vaccine candidates. The success of this proposed research can eventually lead to develop an effective and safe ASF vaccine for U.S. pork industry to control ASF in case of the outbreak.