adenovirus vaccines

Mapping of three novel linear B-cell epitopes on the VP7 protein of epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus with monoclonal antibodies.

Hu Xinbing X, Zhong Yunru Y, He Yingjuan Y, Zhang Mingxin M et al.

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) is an important Orbivirus transmitted by culicoides midges. EHDV poses a significant threat to ruminant production worldwide. The VP7 protein is a highly conserved, group-specific antigen of EHDV, which serves as a key target for serological diagnosis. In this study, the recombinant VP7 (r-VP7) protein of EHDV-1 was expressed in an Escherichia coli expression system and used to immunize BALB/c mice. Four hybridoma cell lines secreting monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against VP7 were successfully generated by the hybridoma technique, and named 5D1, 6A7, 7B11, and 7C4. Indirect ELISA, western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence assays demonstrated that all four mAbs specifically recognized both the r-VP7 protein and the native VP7 protein in EHDV-1-infected BHK-21 cells, with favorable reactivity and specificity. The VP7 protein was progressively truncated and expressed as a series of GST fusion proteins, and the linear B-cell epitopes recognized by these mAbs were precisely identified by western blotting. The results showed that 5D1 and 7B11 recognized the epitope 83DYIQNLATIGVLATPEI99, 7C4 recognized 121PDRQPFGYFL130, and 6A7 recognized 229APVNVNNPGQ238. Sequence alignment and cross-reactivity assays revealed that the three epitopes were highly conserved among EHDV serotypes and showed no cross-reactivity with the VP7 proteins of African horse sickness virus (AHSV) or bluetongue virus (BTV). Three-dimensional structural analysis indicated that all three epitopes were exposed on the surface of the VP7 trimer and were located in distinct structural domains. In summary, this study successfully generated four specific mAbs against the EHDV VP7 protein and identified three novel linear B-cell epitopes, providing a foundation for the development of specific EHDV serological diagnostic methods and epitope-based vaccines.

Dimethyl Sulfoxide Modulates T Cell-Mediated Immunity to Attenuate Influenza A Virus Infection.

Jeng Po-Hsuan PH, Tsai Meng-Wei MW, Huang Shing-Hwa SH, Huang Tien-Ru TR et al.

Influenza A virus (IAV) remains a major threat because vaccines provide limited cross-protection and antiviral resistance is rising. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is immunomodulatory, but its effect on IAV has not been tested in vivo. We evaluated its efficacy and mechanism in a murine H1N1 model. Male C57BL/6 mice were intranasally challenged with an LD50 of A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (H1N1) and given daily subcutaneous DMSO (0.22 g/kg/day) or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) on days 1-7. Survival was monitored for 21 days; lung and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected on day 8. Lung histology (hematoxylin and eosin), BALF cytokines (sandwich ELISA), lung and splenic IFN-γ-producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells (flow cytometry), and whole-lung RNA sequencing (differential expression, KEGG enrichment) were assessed. BALF viral burden was measured by neuraminidase activity assay and TCID50. In vitro, splenic CD8+ T cells exposed to 0%, 0.5%, or 1.0% DMSO were immunoblotted for lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG3). DMSO significantly improved 21-day survival and attenuated alveolar inflammatory infiltration. Day-8 BALF viral titers were significantly lower with DMSO (mean 2.2×103 vs 4.3×104 TCID50/mL; p = 0.034), as was neuraminidase activity. BALF IFN-γ and TGF-β were elevated, whereas TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β were not. IFN-γ+ CD8+ T cells increased in the lung but not the spleen; CD4+ populations were unchanged. RNA sequencing showed enrichment of cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction and PI3K/Akt signaling and upregulation of T-box factors, PPAR-γ, and Nek kinases. In vitro, DMSO accelerated LAG3 induction in CD8+ T cells within 12-48 h. DMSO is associated with attenuated IAV severity, a lower day-8 airway viral burden, and a localized expansion of IFN-γ-producing CD8+ T cells, without a concomitant rise in the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, or IL-1β. These associations are correlative and support further investigation of DMSO as a host-directed adjunct for influenza.

Corrigendum to "NLRP3 inflammasome and Epstein-Barr virus: mutual regulation and therapeutic potential" [Int. Immunopharmacol. 188 (2026) 117310].

Kang Jing J, Shi Yan Y, Liu Chang C, Shen Lufan L et al.

Experimental biofilm vaccines for fish aquaculture: an overview.

Loera-Muro Abraham A, Ramos-Vega Abel A, León-Montoya Hassian H, Angulo Carlos C

Biofilm vaccines in fish are a trending approach to fighting bacterial diseases. Pathogens, including Aeromonas spp., Vibrio spp., Photobacterium spp., and Streptococcus spp., have been studied for planktonic- and biofilm-derived vaccines. These vaccines have demonstrated safe immunogenicity through the induction of phagocytosis, innate-immune related gene expression, and specific antibodies. Remarkably, protective outcomes range from 77 to 100% in several fish species upon challenges by disrupting biofilm formation, compared to planktonic-derived vaccines that have reached around 30% protection. Oral immunization is the most investigated and desirable route, although other routes have been explored. A comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art biofilm-based vaccines is described, including mechanisms of biofilm formation, biofilm-derived antigens, and strategies for their evaluation, providing experimental results along with benefits, obstacles, and perspectives for their affordable use in fish aquaculture.