Lassa hemorrhagic fever is an acute human infectious disease with high mortality rate and pandemic potential. To date, there are no approved drugs for the specific treatment or prevention of Lassa hemorrhagic fever in the world. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the immunobiological properties and preclinical safety of a candidate vaccine for the prevention of Lassa hemorrhagic fever (LHF) based on recombinant human adenoviral vectors. Standard genetic engineering techniques, molecular biology techniques, virological methods, and animal testing procedures were used in the course of the study. A combined vector candidate vaccine for the prevention of Lassa hemorrhagic fever has been designed and characterized. The vaccine is composed of two components for heterologous immunization in a prime-boost regimen. Both components are based on recombinant replication-defective adenovirus vectors. The first component of the vaccine is a recombinant human adenovirus type 26; the second component is a recombinant human adenovirus type 5. Both recombinant vectors contain the codon-optimized sequence of Lassa virus glycoprotein. Two experimental batches of the candidate vaccine were produced under GMP-conditions and analyzed. The results of studies in compliance with appropriate specifications for viral vector vaccines are provided. In preclinical studies in mice, antigen-specific IgG response was detected after immunization with two vaccine components, either separately, or in a prime-boost regimen. The time dynamics of the IgG response was also studied on 42, 77, 119 and 147 days after immunization. At the same time, despite achieving 100% seroconversion, no virus neutralizing antibodies were detected in any of the samples collected from immunized mice. A biodistribution study showed that 24 hours following intramuscular injection of the vaccine components, the DNA of adenovirus vectors was detected only at the site of injection and in regional lymph nodes. Based on preclinical safety assessments (including acute toxicity, chronic toxicity, immunotoxicity, allergenic properties, reproductive toxicity), no contraindications were found for initiation of the candidate Lassa vaccine clinical trials. Taken together, the results demonstrate that the candidate vaccine for prevention of Lassa hemorrhagic fever based on recombinant adenovirus vectors types 26 and 5 is a promising drug for specific immunoprophylaxis.

INTRODUCTION. Marburg and Ebola viruses cause severe haemorrhagic fever in humans and primates. Currently, there are no licensed prophylactic vaccines that can simultaneously prevent the spread or reduce the severity of both diseases caused by these filoviruses. The development of effective prophylactic vaccines requires studies aimed at selecting the most immunogenic forms of protective antigens.AIM. This study aimed to evaluate humoral immune induction in animals after administration of recombinant adenoviral vectors expressing various forms of Ebola and Marburg virus glycoproteins (GPs).MATERIALS AND METHODS. Samples of recombinant human adenovirus type 5 (rAd5) were obtained using homologous recombination in Escherichia coli, growth in HEK293 cells, and purification by CsCl gradient ultracentrifugation. The resulting rAd5 samples were characterised in terms of their identity (PCR and whole-genome sequencing), the concentration of viral particles (fluorescence spectroscopy), and the concentration of infectious viral particles (TCID50 assay). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to evaluate the GP-specific IgG titres in the sera of immunised mice.RESULTS. The authors constructed rAd5 samples, and each construct contained an expression cassette with a GP gene form encoding a full-length GP, a GP without the mucin-like domain, or a GP without both the glycan cap and the mucin-like domain. Each of these forms was studied using the GPs of four filoviruses, including Zaire Ebola virus, Sudan Ebola virus, Bundibugyo Ebola virus, and Marburg virus. Neither of the forms had a critical effect on the rAd5 replicative capacity. Three weeks after immunisation, the highest GP-specific IgG production was induced by the rAd5 samples encoding either the full-length GP or the GP without the mucin-like domain. The GP without both the glycan cap and the mucin-like domain was the least immunogenic antigen regardless of the filovirus species.CONCLUSIONS. The most promising constructs for the development of filovirus vaccines based on recombinant adenoviral vectors are the constructs that include the genes encoding the fulllength GP or the GP without the mucin-like domain.

The aim of the study is to synthesize a recombinant protein in Escherichia coli cells that carries the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of Spike protein of SARS CoV-2, with antiviral activity comparable to the activity of RBD obtained in a eukaryotic cells (eRBD). 6His-RBDshort (24.4 kDa) and 6His-RBDlong (33.7 kDa) proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli strain BL21 (DE3). Chromatographic purification of the proteins was carried out on WorkBeads 40 Ni-NTA and WorkBeads 40S sorbents followed by multistage refolding. Enzyme immunoassay was performed using GamP2C5 and GamXRH19 humanized single-domain monoclonal antibodies specific for SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein RBD. Antiviral activity against the SARS-CoV-2 virus was studied using Vero E6 cells. 6His-RBDshort recombinant protein was synthesized in Escherichia coli cells, including the Spike protein RBM (receptor-binding motif) of SARS-CoV-2 virus (330–527 а.а.). Two-stage chromatographic purification of 6His-RBDshort recombinant protein was performed, followed by refolding. Enzyme immunoassay demonstrated effective interaction of 6His-RBDshort recombinant protein with virus neutralizing antibodies, comparable to eRBD. The study of antiviral activity showed inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 virus reproduction after treatment of Vero E6 cells with 6His-RBDshort (45.1

Relevance. Ebola virus disease (EVD) is an acute infectious disease with an extremely high case fatality rate reaching up to 90%. EVD has become widely known since 20142016, when outbreak in West Africa occurred and led to epidemic, which caused travel-related cases on the territory of other continents. There are two vaccines against EVD, prequalified by WHO for emergency use, as well as a number of vaccines, approved by local regulators in certain countries. However, even with the availability of effective vaccines, the lack of data on immune correlates of protection and duration of protective immune response in humans and primates is limiting factor for effectively preventing the spread of EVD outbreaks. Aims. This review highlights experience of use of EVD vaccines during outbreaks in endemic areas, summarizes data on vaccine immunogenicity in clinical trials, and discusses perspectives for further development and use of effective EVD vaccines.

COVID-19 vaccination campaign has been launched around the world. More than 8 billion vaccines doses have been administered, according to the WHO. Published studies shows that vaccination reduces the number of COVID-19 cases and dramatically reduces COVID-19-associated hospitalizations and deaths worldwide. In turn, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) with mutations in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of S glycoprotein poses risks of diminishing the effectiveness of the vaccination campaign. In November 2021, the first information appeared about a new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which was named Omicron. The Omicron variant is of concern because it contains a large number of mutations, especially in the S glycoprotein (16 mutation in RBD), which could be associated with resistance to neutralizing antibodies (NtAB) and significantly reduce the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. Neutralizing antibodies are one of the important parameters characterizing the protective properties of a vaccine. We conducted a study of neutralizing antibodies in the blood serum of people vaccinated with Sputnik V, as well as those revaccinated with Sputnik Light after Sputnik V. Results showed that a decrease in the level of neutralizing antibodies was observed against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant in comparison to B.1.1.1 variant. Analysis of the sera of individuals vaccinated with Sputnik V 6-12 months ago showed that there was a decrease in the level of neutralizing antibodies by 11.76 folds. While no direct comparison with other vaccines declines has been done in this study, we note their reported decline in antibody neutralization at a much more significant level of 40-84 times. At the same time, the analysis of sera of individuals who were vaccinated with Sputnik V, and then revaccinated Sputnik Light, showed that 2-3 months after revaccination the decrease in the level of neutralizing antibodies against the Omicron variant was 7.13 folds. Despite the decrease in NtAb, we showed that all revaccinated individuals had NtAb to Omicron variant. Moreover, the NtAb level to Omicron variant in revaccinated sera are slightly higher than NtAb to B.1.1.1 in vaccinated sera.

The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is an acute inflammatory disease of the respiratory system caused by the MERS-CoV coronavirus. The mortality rate for MERS is about 34.5%. Due to its high mortality rate, the lack of therapeutic and prophylactic agents, and the continuing threat of the spread of MERS beyond its current confines, developing a vaccine is a pressing task, because vaccination would help limit the spread of MERS and reduce its death toll. We have developed a combined vector vaccine for the prevention of MERS based on recombinant human adenovirus serotypes 26 and 5. Studies of its immunogenicity have shown that vaccination of animals (mice and primates) induces a robust humoral immune response that lasts for at least six months. Studies of the cellular immune response in mice after vaccination showed the emergence of a specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell response. A study of the vaccine protectivity conducted in a model of transgenic mice carrying the human DPP4 receptor gene showed that our vaccination protected 100% of the animals from the lethal infection caused by the MERS-CoV virus (MERS-CoV EMC/2012, 100LD50 per mouse). Studies of the safety and tolerability of the developed vaccine in rodents, rabbits, and primates showed a good safety profile and tolerance in animals; they revealed no contraindications for clinical testing.

Introduction Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is acute inflammatory disease of respiratory system with a high mortality, caused Ьу coronavirus MERS-CoV At present moment, we still lack specific therapeutic preparations and vaccines against MERS Vaccine administration can help to limit the spread of the disease and lower the mortality Duration of vaccine-induced immune response is one of the key characteristics of a vaccine, which is connected with duration of its protective effectiveness Unfortunately, the data on duration of vaccine-induced immune response against MERS is scarce The aim of the study was to determine duration of humoral immune response in mice and primates and duration of protective immune response in mice after immunization with the heterologous virus-vectored vaccine against MERS (BVRS-GamVac-Combi), developed earlier Ьу our research group Material and methods To study duration of humoral immune response, we used mice of C57BL/6 strain and common marmosets Animals were immunized with the vaccine BVRS-GamVac-Combi, based on recomЬinant adenoviral vectors rAd26 and rAd5 Antigen-specific-antibody titers were determined with ELISA, virus-neutralizing antibody titers were measured with virus neutralization assay using MERS-CoV (EMC/2012) To study duration of protective immune response, we used a model of lethal infection on transgenic mice, carrying human DPP4 gene of viral receptor Results In present research, we showed that vaccination of animals with BVRS-GamVac-Combi induced robust humoral immune response, which persisted at least 18 months after immunization In addition, our vaccine protected 100 % of animals from lethal infection for at least 7 months after immunization Concluslon Strength of vaccine-induced immune response is generally connected with a protective effectiveness of a vaccine One of the key problems of vaccine design is to find a way to provide as long and robust immune response as possible Duration of vaccine-induced immune response is one of the key characteristics of a vaccine, which demands quality control during multiple steps of a vaccine development Введение Ближневосточный респираторный синдром (БВРС) - это острое воспалительное заболевание дыхательной системы с высокой летальностью, возбудителем которого является коронавирус БВРС-КоВ В настоящее время в мире не существует специфических профилактических и терапевтических средств против БВРС Вакцино-профилактика позволит ограничить распространение данного заболевания и снизить летальность Одной из ключевых характеристик вакцин является длительность индуцируемого иммунного ответа, от которой зависит продолжительность протективного эффекта вакцины К сожалению, данных по длительности поствакцинального иммунного ответа для вакцин против БВРС сейчас недостаточно Цель исследования - определение длительности гуморального иммунного ответа у грызунов и приматов и протективного иммунного ответа после иммунизации комбинированной векторной вакциной против БВРС (БВРС-ГамВак-Комби), разработанной нами ранее Материал и методы Длительность гуморального иммунитета исследовали на мышах линии C57BL/6 и обыкновенных игрунках Животных иммунизировали вакциной БВРС-ГамВак-Комби на основе рекомбинантных векторов rAd26 и rAd5 Титр антиген-специфических антител определяли методом иммуноферментного анализа (ИФА) Титр вирус-нейтрализующих антител определяли с помощью реакции вирус-нейтрализации против вируса БВРС-КоВ (MERS-CoV EMC/2012) Длительность протективного иммунитета исследовали на модели летальной инфекции у трансгенных мышей, несущих ген человека DPP4, кодирующий рецептор к БВРС-КоВ Результаты Исследование длительности поствакцинального гуморального иммунного ответа у грызунов и приматов показало, что вакцинация животных БВРС-ГамВак-Комби индуцирует формирование напряженного гуморального иммунного ответа к гликопротеину S БВРС-КоВ, который сохраняется на протяжении не менее 18 мес Также было показано, что вакцинация позволяет защитить 100 % животных от летальной инфекции, вызванной БВРС-КоВ (MERS-CoV EMC/2012, 100 ЛД50/мышь), через 7 мес после иммунизации Заключение Напряженность поствакцинального гуморального иммунного ответа, как правило, связана с протективностью вакцины Одной из ключевых задач при дизайне вакцин является обеспечение наиболее длительного напряженного иммунного ответа Длительность поствакцинального иммунного ответа - одна из ключевых характеристик вакцин, которая требует контроля на различных этапах их разработки

Ближневосточный респираторный синдром (БВРС) – это острое воспалительное заболевание дыхательной системы, возбудителем которого является коронавирус БВРС-КоВ. Летальность при БВРС составляет 34.5%. В связи с высокой летальностью, отсутствием терапевтических и профилактических средств и сохраняющейся угрозой распространения БВРС за пределы эндемичных районов разработка вакцинного препарата является актуальной задачей, а вакцинопрофилактика против БВРС позволит ограничить распространение БВРС и снизить летальность. Нами была разработана комбинированная векторная вакцина для профилактики БВРС на основе рекомбинантных аденовирусов человека 26 и 5 серотипа. Проведенные исследования иммуногенности показали, что вакцинация животных (мыши и приматы) позволяет сформировать мощный гуморальный иммунный ответ, который сохраняется на протяжении не менее 6 месяцев. Исследования клеточного иммунного ответа у мышей после вакцинации показали формирование выраженного специфического CD4 + и CD8 + ответа. По результатам исследования протективности вакцины на модели трансгенных мышей, несущих ген рецептора DPP4 человека, было показано, что вакцинация обеспечивает защиту 100% животных от летальной инфекции, вызванной вирусом БВРС-КоВ (MERS-CoV EMC/2012, 100 ЛД 50 /мышь). Проведенные исследования безопасности и переносимости разработанной вакцины у грызунов, кроликов и приматов показали хорошую переносимость вакцины у животных и не выявили противопоказаний для проведения клинических исследований.