2. Academic Validation
  3. A self-amplifying mRNA vaccine expressing PRV gD induces robust immunity against virulent mutants

A self-amplifying mRNA vaccine expressing PRV gD induces robust immunity against virulent mutants

  • NPJ Vaccines. 2025 Aug 14;10(1):193. doi: 10.1038/s41541-025-01251-5.
Tong Ling # 1 2 3 4,  Zhang Xin # 1 5,  Li Huan-Huan 1 6,  Zheng Ya-Ting 1 2 3 4,  Liu Ya-Mei 1 2 3 4,  Guo Rong-Li 7,  Armando Mario Damiani 8,  Chen Sai-Sai 1 2 3 4,  Zhang Chuan-Jian 1 2 3 4,  Duan Rui 9,  Mao Shu-Yu 9,  Yu Jia-Li 9,  Zhang Qian-Qian 9,  Tao Ruo-Nan 9,  Nikolaus Osterrieder 10,  Xia Shu-Hua 11,  Wang Ji-Chun 12 13 14 15
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Institute of Veterinary Immunology & Engineering, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China.
  • 2 National Research Center of Engineering and Technology for Veterinary Biology, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China.
  • 3 Jiangsu Coinnovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, 225009, China.
  • 4 GuoTai (Taizhou) Center of Technology Innovation for Veterinary Biology, Taizhou, 225300, China.
  • 5 College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.
  • 6 College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China.
  • 7 Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Science, Nanjing, 210014, China.
  • 8 Faculty of Medical Sciences, National University of Cuyo, Mendoza, 5500, Argentina.
  • 9 Jinfa Pharmaceutical (Nanjing) Co, Ltd, Nanjing, 210032, China.
  • 10 Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover, Bünteweg 2, 30559, Hannover, Germany. Klaus.Osterrieder@tiho-hannover.de.
  • 11 Jinfa Pharmaceutical (Nanjing) Co, Ltd, Nanjing, 210032, China. shuhua.xia@jinfapharma.com.
  • 12 Institute of Veterinary Immunology & Engineering, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China. 19970021@jaas.ac.cn.
  • 13 National Research Center of Engineering and Technology for Veterinary Biology, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China. 19970021@jaas.ac.cn.
  • 14 Jiangsu Coinnovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, 225009, China. 19970021@jaas.ac.cn.
  • 15 GuoTai (Taizhou) Center of Technology Innovation for Veterinary Biology, Taizhou, 225300, China. 19970021@jaas.ac.cn.
  • # Contributed equally.
PMID: 40813770 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-025-01251-5
Abstract

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) causes an acute febrile infectious disease of pigs. Since 2011, PRV variants have appeared and spread nationwide in China. mRNA vaccines present a safe alternative and can stimulate humoral and cellular immunity. We constructed a self-amplifying mRNA (saRNA) vaccine containing gD gene of a highly virulent PRV variant. In mice, the PRV saRNA gD vaccine induced high levels of neutralizing antibodies. In piglets, vaccination with the PRV saRNA gD vaccine at a dose of as little as 5 μg induced very strong humoral immunity and cellular immunity, providing full protection against challenge Infection with very virulent PRV variants. Protection following vaccination with saRNA gD induced significantly stronger protection than attenuated live vaccines and inactivated vaccines. In addition, our results confirm that a PRV saRNA vaccine expressing only one antigen can induce excellent protection in weaned piglets. Hence, the PRV saRNA gD vaccine might be a very promising substitute for inactivated and live vaccines. Finally, we provide proof-of-concept for the development of self-amplifying mRNA vaccines for members of the Alphaherpesvirinae, including herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 as well as varicella zoster virus.

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