Recombinant proteins A29L, M1R, A35R, and B6R vaccination protects mice from mpox virus challenge

Abstract

Since May 2022, mutant strains of mpox (formerly monkeypox) virus (MPXV) have been rapidly spreading among individuals who have not traveled to endemic areas in multiple locations, including Europe and the United States. Both intracellular and extracellular forms of mpox virus have multiple outer membrane proteins that can stimulate immune response. Here, we investigated the immunogenicity of MPXV structural proteins such as A29L, M1R, A35R, and B6R as a combination vaccine, and the protective effect against the 2022 mpox mutant strain was also evaluated in BALB/c mice. After mixed 15 μg QS-21 adjuvant, all four virus structural proteins were administered subcutaneously to mice. Antibody titers in mouse sera rose sharply after the initial boost, along with an increased capacity of immune cells to produce IFN-γ alongside an elevated level of cellular immunity mediated by Th1 cells. The vaccine-induced neutralizing antibodies significantly inhibited the replication of MPXV in mice and reduced the pathological damage of organs. This study demonstrates the feasibility of a multiple recombinant vaccine for MPXV variant strains.

Efficacy of smallpox vaccines against Mpox infections in humans

“…While vaccination against MPXV infection has relied on the use of smallpox virus-specific vaccines, those that specifically target MPXV are in experimental development. These include DNA-based vaccines encoding several conserved MPXV epitopes [ 41 ] or recombinant vaccines containing MPXV structural proteins [ 42 , 43 ]. Furthermore, the recombinant vaccines were shown to provide protection against Mpox in experimentally infected mice or macaques [ 42 , 43 ].…”

“…These include DNA-based vaccines encoding several conserved MPXV epitopes [ 41 ] or recombinant vaccines containing MPXV structural proteins [ 42 , 43 ]. Furthermore, the recombinant vaccines were shown to provide protection against Mpox in experimentally infected mice or macaques [ 42 , 43 ].…”

Exploring monkeypox virus proteins and rapid detection techniques

“…M1R, an extensively preserved myristoylated surface membrane protein within IMV, plays a crucial role in the assembly and entry of viral particles (Tang et al, 2023;Zhang et al, 2023). As Yefet et al (2023) highlighted, M1R is 98.4% homologous to the L1R of VACV.…”

“…the regulation of the complement system of the host cell (Smith and Vanderplasschen, 1998;Tang et al, 2023). B5R also contributes to formulating EEV during the wrapping steps of IMV (Bell et al, 2004).…”

MpoxPlex: a high-throughput and versatile multiplexed immunoassay for assessing and discriminating between IgG responses to Mpox infection and vaccination

“…The antigens VACV A33, L1, B5, A56 and H3 (homologues of MPXV A35, M1, B6, B2 and H3, respectively) have repeatedly been acknowledged to induce robust antibody responses in the host and to play a significant role in immunity [37,41,[43][44][45][46][47]. Antibodies to these antigens have been shown to be sufficient for protection against severe disease in animal challenge models and form the basis for many subunit vaccines [36,[48][49][50][51][52]. We recently characterised the antibody responses in individuals infected with Clade II(b) and vaccinated with MVA-Bavarian Nordic (IMVANEX) highlighting additional immunodominant antigens, such as MPXV A5, A27, A29 and E8 [45].…”