Can stop a man-manipulated Virus is the Coronavirus?
There are currently no vaccines that protect us from infection by corona virus. As COVID-19 is a huge threat to people all over the world, many research groups working to understand the Virus better, to create as quickly as possible strategies to combat the threat. Researchers have identified now a promising vaccine candidate against the MERS Virus, which could also work against SARS-CoV-2.
In the current investigation of the University of Iowa, it was found that a specific vaccine against the MERS Virus could also be in the case of SARS-CoV-2 to be effective. This vaccine has been tested only on mice. The results of the study were published in the English journal “mBio”.
The approach against the MERS Virus is also involved in SARS-CoV-2?
Since the start of the MERS outbreak, (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) in the year 2012, more than 850 people have died of the disease. Various studies suggest that the Virus had a case fatality rate of more than 30 percent. In the current investigation, the researchers came to the conclusion that the approach you have chosen for a vaccine against the MERS Virus, could also work against SARS-CoV-2.
Artificially engineered Virus in the treatment of COVID-19?
In the case of the method for the administration of this vaccine is an RNA Virus called parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5) is used. Of the Virus is believed that it is in dogs than kennel cough is known to symptoms, causes, what is for people, however, apparently harmless. The researchers added the Virus in an additional Gene, so that the infected cells of the S-glycoprotein or Spike-produce glycoprotein, which is involved in MERS infections.
Since can’t replicate the MERS Virus in mice, therefore, the research group developed to Test the vaccine in a mouse model that mimics human infection.
What led to the vaccine?
The mice in the study were genetically modified so that they Express DPP4, a Protein, which is used by the MERS Virus as a kind of portal of Entry to human cells. Laboratory tests showed, finally, to produce a single intranasally administered dose of the vaccine-infected cells to be effective for this purpose, the S causes-Protein, which in turn triggered immune responses against the Protein in the host animal.
Mice were infected with MERS Virus
Four weeks after the mice had received the vaccine, they were then exposed to a strain of the MERS Virus. This Virus was adapted to the animals and caused a deadly infection. With the MERS Virus in addition, mice were infected, which had received a modified PIV5 vaccine (without the Gene for the S Protein) or an intramuscular vaccine with inactivated MERS Virus.
Vaccinated mice survived the Virus
All of the mice, which were immunized with PIV5-Virus without the S-Protein, have died of the infection. All with the modified PIV5 Virus-immunized mice survived in contrast, MERS-virus infection. The intramuscular vaccine with the inactivated MERS Virus protected, only 25 percent of the mice against a lethal infection.
The potential of the vaccine against other corona viruses needs to be investigated
The study showed that an intra-nasal, on PIV5 vaccine based against MERS in mice is effective. Such a vaccine should therefore be investigated on its potential against other dangerous coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Achievements in model in mice do not mean to try but, unfortunately, that the same effect can be achieved.
Further research is needed
The researchers plan virus as a gene transport vehicle use. Further research of the group will now focus on SARS-CoV-2. The search for an effective vaccine against the COVID-19-causing Coronavirus is a true race against time. It will not infect during the current pandemic of all the people with the Virus. Which means that there are more people that can be infected, if the Virus reoccurs.
There is a long-lasting immunity after experiencing a infection?
“We don’t know yet, whether the people receive a long-lasting immunity against the SARS-CoV-2 infection, therefore, it is important to think about the possibilities to protect the population,” explains study author Dr. Paul McCray of the University of Iowa in a press release. (as)