J Virol. 2014; 88(6): 3527-3547.
García-Arriaza J1, Cepeda V, Hallengärd D, Sorzano CÓ, Kümmerer BM, Liljeström P, Esteban M.
There is a need to develop a single and highly effective vaccine against the emerging chikungunya virus (CHIKV), which causes a severe disease in humans. Here, we have generated and characterized the immunogenicity profile and the efficacy of a novel CHIKV vaccine candidate based on the highly attenuated poxvirus vector modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) expressing the CHIKV C, E3, E2, 6K, and E1 structural genes (termed MVA-CHIKV). MVA-CHIKV was stable in cell culture, expressed the CHIKV structural proteins, and triggered the cytoplasmic accumulation of Golgi apparatus-derived membranes in infected human cells. Furthermore, MVA-CHIKV elicited robust innate immune responses in human macrophages and monocyte-derived dendritic cells, with production of beta interferon (IFN-β), proinflammatory cytokines, and chemokines. After immunization of C57BL/6 mice with a homologous protocol (MVA-CHIKV/MVA-CHIKV), strong, broad, polyfunctional, and durable CHIKV-specific CD8+ T cell responses were elicited.
The CHIKV-specific CD8+ T cells were preferentially directed against E1 and E2 proteins and, to a lesser extent, against C protein. CHIKV-specific CD8+ memory T cells of a mainly effector memory phenotype were also induced. The humoral arm of the immune system was significantly induced, as MVA-CHIKV elicited high titers of neutralizing antibodies against CHIKV. Remarkably, a single dose of MVA-CHIKV protected all mice after a high-dose challenge with CHIKV.
In summary, MVA-CHIKV is an effective vaccine against chikungunya virus infection that induced strong, broad, highly polyfunctional, and long-lasting CHIKV-specific CD8+ T cell responses, together with neutralizing antibodies against CHIKV. These results support the consideration of MVA-CHIKV as a potential vaccine candidate against CHIKV.