Modulating Vaccinia Virus Immunomodulators to Improve Immunological Memory

Viruses. 2018 Feb 28;10(3):101. doi: 10.3390/v10030101.

Abstract

The increasing frequency of monkeypox virus infections, new outbreaks of other zoonotic orthopoxviruses and concern about the re-emergence of smallpox have prompted research into developing antiviral drugs and better vaccines against these viruses. This article considers the genetic engineering of vaccinia virus (VACV) to enhance vaccine immunogenicity and safety. The virulence, immunogenicity and protective efficacy of VACV strains engineered to lack specific immunomodulatory or host range proteins are described. The ultimate goal is to develop safer and more immunogenic VACV vaccines that induce long-lasting immunological memory.

Keywords: genetic engineering; immune evasion; immunological memory; orthopoxviruses; smallpox; vaccine; vaccinia virus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / immunology
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / metabolism
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / prevention & control
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Genetic Engineering*
  • Humans
  • Immunity
  • Immunogenicity, Vaccine
  • Immunologic Memory*
  • Immunomodulation*
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Smallpox / drug therapy
  • Smallpox / immunology
  • Smallpox / metabolism
  • Smallpox / prevention & control
  • Smallpox Vaccine / immunology
  • Vaccinia virus / genetics*
  • Vaccinia virus / immunology
  • Viral Vaccines / genetics
  • Viral Vaccines / immunology*
  • Zoonoses

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Smallpox Vaccine
  • Viral Vaccines