Science Article Summary #2

eLab – Biotechnology, “Virus-like particle vaccine protects monkeys.” Scientist Live. [Internet] 2008. [accessed Feb 4 2010] Available from:
http://www.scientistlive.com/European-Science-News/Biotechnology/Virus-like_particle_vaccine_protects_monkeys/24013/

Virus-like particle vaccine protects monkeys

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have developed an experimental vaccine against the chikungunya virus. This painful mosquito-borne virus, which is common in areas such as Africa and Asia, has been spreading rapidly into new areas, causing an increase in the need for an effective vaccine.

The experimental vaccine uses non-infection particles that mimic viruses. This creates an immune response without the danger of infection. These virus-like particles (VLP) have been tested on rhesus monkeys (macaques) and mice successfully when the immunization was given 15 weeks prior to the animals being exposed to the actual virus.

NIH Researchers took the experiment one step further, by inoculating macaques and mice with deficient immune systems. They found that even the immune-compromised animals were protected from lethal doses of the chikungunya virus.

Similar VLP vaccines may be developed for diseases caused by related viruses that cause fatal diseases such as encephalitis. Two other VLP vaccines, one for Hepatitis B and one for human papillomavirus, were approved by the Food and Drug Administration as of 2008. Current and future research is being conducted on an equine encephalitis virus found in the United States, as well as the o’nyong-nyong virus from Africa.