A VLPs based vaccine protects against Zika virus infection and prevents cerebral and testicular damage

Author(s):Show less -

Cortes, Nelson ; Lira, Aline ; Silva, Jaqueline D. Q. ; Carvalho, Evelyn ; Prates-Syed, Wasim A. ; Hamaguchi, Barbara ; Duraes-Carvalho, Ricardo ; Balan, Andrea ; Camara, Niels O. S. ; Cabral-Marques, Otavio ; Pardi, Norbert ; Sabino, Ester C. ; Krieger, Jose E. ; Cabral-Miranda, Gustavo

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: NPJ VACCINES; v. 10, n. 1, p. 12-pg., 2025-05-27.

Abstract

Still, Zika virus (ZIKV) infection poses a substantial public health risk, especially for pregnant women and their fetuses, as it can result in congenital abnormalities and fetal mortality during pregnancy. Despite significant advances in understanding and combating ZIKV, considerable challenges remain in the fight against this flavivirus. A crucial component of this effort is the development of vaccines, none of which have yet been licensed for human use. Here, we present a comprehensive study of a novel ZIKV vaccine candidate based on virus-like particles (VLPs), designed to provide broad immunological protection against viral infection combined with safety, without the need for additional adjuvants. A self-adjuvanted VLPs-based vaccine displaying the envelope protein domain III (EDIII) of ZIKV was built. The EDIII protein was expressed in E. coli and chemically conjugated to Q beta VLPs. Immunization of C57BL/6 mice with two doses of the EDIII-Q beta VLPs vaccine elicited strong EDIII-specific Th1-based immune response. Notably, the vaccine induced neutralizing antibodies and conferred protection in type I IFN receptor-deficient (G129) mice against ZIKV challenge. Furthermore, vaccinated male mice were protected from ZIKV-induced cerebral and testicular damage, critical concerns for ZIKV pathogenesis. These findings suggest that the EDIII-Q beta VLP vaccine is a promising candidate for preventing ZIKV infection, with potential applications in combatting this and other emerging flaviviruses. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 23/13991-7 - Development of a tetravalent vaccine against the four serotypes of the Dengue virus using VLPs technology
• Grantee: Evelyn Carvalho Campos
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 20/04667-3 - Development of vaccines against Streptococcus pyogenes and Chikungunya Virus based on virus like particles
• Grantee: Gustavo Cabral de Miranda
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Young Researchers
• FAPESP's process: 21/03508-1 - Development of an effective and safe anti-Zika Virus vaccine using chimeric VLPs expressing Envelope Domain III (E-DIII) protein
• Grantee: Nelson Côrtes de Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 19/01255-9 - Bats: epidemiological surveillance, high-resolution phylodynamics, search and design of peptides of biotechnological interest in emergent and reemerging viruses
• Grantee: Ricardo Durães de Carvalho
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/14526-0 - Development of vaccines against Streptococcus pyogenes and Chikungunya Virus based on virus like particles
• Grantee: Gustavo Cabral de Miranda
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 21/03684-4 - Bats: epidemiological surveillance, high-resolution phylodynamics, search and design of peptides of biotechnological interest in emergent and reemerging viruses
• Grantee: Ricardo Durães de Carvalho
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Young Researchers
• FAPESP's process: 21/03102-5 - Development of safe and effective vaccines against the Chikungunya Virus based on homologous and heterologous VLPs
• Grantee: Aline Aparecida de Lima Lira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 21/08468-8 - Development of VLPs-based vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 and other human Coronaviruses
• Grantee: Wasim Aluísio Prates Syed
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 24/13269-2 - Characterization and humanization of anti-Chikungunya and Zika Virus monoclonal antibodies
• Grantee: Bárbara Hamaguchi
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Technical Training Program - Technical Training