Viral vectors are potential tools for the development of effective vaccines. In viral vector- based vaccination approach, the viral genetic material is manipulated to insert and express a sequence encoding immunogenic protein of a known pathogenic organisms against which the vaccine immune response is desired. DNA viruses with a large genetic backbone such as pox virus, herpesvirus, adenovirus, and adeno-associated viruses are commonly used as vectors. Alternatively, RNA viruses such as Newcastle disease virus, alphavirus, flavivirus and vesicular stomatitis virus are also being explored for effective viral vector-based vaccines. Oral bait vaccine with pox vector expressing glycoprotein of rabies virus for vaccination against rabies in wildlife and the adenovirus vectored SARS-COV2 vaccine are examples of successful viral vectored vaccines put into practical use.
Viral vector vaccines represent a more complex production process. They pose the risk of i) genomic integration, ii) host-induced neutralizing antibodies against vector virus and iii) requirement of different strategies for booster vaccinations. Further, stable expression of the immunogenic gene insert could be a challenging when the genetic backbone of the vector virus is being manipulated. There is a need for viral vectors which do not shed for a long period from the vaccinated individual leaving a chance to develop recombinant strains by genetic exchange with wild type virus in the environment, which can be achieved during the process of vector virus attenuation. RNA virus vectors also pose a challenge of developing new mutations when shed into the environment. Pre-existing antibodies in the host against certain virus vectors like adenovirus and herpesvirus can impede the development immune response against immunogenic gene expressed in virus vector. Certain virus vectors such as poxvirus also carry their inherent immunosuppressive genes, these genes can further interfere generation of immune response. So, there is a need for proper knowledge regarding the essential and non-essential genes in the virus vector and the ability to include adjuvant genes along with the immunogenic gene insert. With this background, innovative strategies are required to overcome these potential limitations. Recently proposed novel strategies are i) incorporating antigen into the capsid, ii) generating chimeric vectors, iii) covalent modifications, iv) helper-dependent vectors, v) use of immune adjuvants, etc.
We welcome articles of all categories on the following themes, but not limited to:
• Novel vaccines: Need for the study to determine the regions in the viral vectors that can be deleted and replaced with a foreign insert without compromising the replication or the ability to generate effective immune response is warranted.
• Studies of viral vectors carrying genes with adjuvant activity which can enhance the immune response against the inserted immunogenic gene targeted to generate immune response against a pathogen is much needed.
• Safety studies focusing on vector vaccine shedding period after vaccination can be useful data particularly in regions where a disease is endemic.
• Chimeric vector vaccines targeting immune response against two different pathogens could be further explored
• Characterization of antibody-mediated, and cell-mediated immune response produced against the pathogen will also be useful to determine the efficacy of viral vectored vaccines.
• Viral vectored vaccines that can effectively produce immune response in young individuals even in the presence of maternally derived antibodies can be useful against diseases that affect individuals at a young age.
Keywords:
immunity, safety, stability, expression, gene
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Viral vectors are potential tools for the development of effective vaccines. In viral vector- based vaccination approach, the viral genetic material is manipulated to insert and express a sequence encoding immunogenic protein of a known pathogenic organisms against which the vaccine immune response is desired. DNA viruses with a large genetic backbone such as pox virus, herpesvirus, adenovirus, and adeno-associated viruses are commonly used as vectors. Alternatively, RNA viruses such as Newcastle disease virus, alphavirus, flavivirus and vesicular stomatitis virus are also being explored for effective viral vector-based vaccines. Oral bait vaccine with pox vector expressing glycoprotein of rabies virus for vaccination against rabies in wildlife and the adenovirus vectored SARS-COV2 vaccine are examples of successful viral vectored vaccines put into practical use.
Viral vector vaccines represent a more complex production process. They pose the risk of i) genomic integration, ii) host-induced neutralizing antibodies against vector virus and iii) requirement of different strategies for booster vaccinations. Further, stable expression of the immunogenic gene insert could be a challenging when the genetic backbone of the vector virus is being manipulated. There is a need for viral vectors which do not shed for a long period from the vaccinated individual leaving a chance to develop recombinant strains by genetic exchange with wild type virus in the environment, which can be achieved during the process of vector virus attenuation. RNA virus vectors also pose a challenge of developing new mutations when shed into the environment. Pre-existing antibodies in the host against certain virus vectors like adenovirus and herpesvirus can impede the development immune response against immunogenic gene expressed in virus vector. Certain virus vectors such as poxvirus also carry their inherent immunosuppressive genes, these genes can further interfere generation of immune response. So, there is a need for proper knowledge regarding the essential and non-essential genes in the virus vector and the ability to include adjuvant genes along with the immunogenic gene insert. With this background, innovative strategies are required to overcome these potential limitations. Recently proposed novel strategies are i) incorporating antigen into the capsid, ii) generating chimeric vectors, iii) covalent modifications, iv) helper-dependent vectors, v) use of immune adjuvants, etc.
We welcome articles of all categories on the following themes, but not limited to:
• Novel vaccines: Need for the study to determine the regions in the viral vectors that can be deleted and replaced with a foreign insert without compromising the replication or the ability to generate effective immune response is warranted.
• Studies of viral vectors carrying genes with adjuvant activity which can enhance the immune response against the inserted immunogenic gene targeted to generate immune response against a pathogen is much needed.
• Safety studies focusing on vector vaccine shedding period after vaccination can be useful data particularly in regions where a disease is endemic.
• Chimeric vector vaccines targeting immune response against two different pathogens could be further explored
• Characterization of antibody-mediated, and cell-mediated immune response produced against the pathogen will also be useful to determine the efficacy of viral vectored vaccines.
• Viral vectored vaccines that can effectively produce immune response in young individuals even in the presence of maternally derived antibodies can be useful against diseases that affect individuals at a young age.
Keywords:
immunity, safety, stability, expression, gene
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.