Immunogenicity and safety of an Entamoeba histolytica adjuvanted protein vaccine candidate (LecA+GLA-3M-052 liposomes) in rhesus macaques

• Main Authors: Mayuresh M. Abhyankar (Author), Feifan Xu (Author), Deborah Chavez (Author), Anna Goodroe (Author), Elda Mendoza (Author), Christopher Chen (Author), Dhiraj K. Singh (Author), Fernando Varnador (Author), Sandra J. Sivananthan (Author), Robert Kinsey (Author), William R. Lykins (Author), Brynn M. Murphy (Author), Andrew R. Martin (Author), Mark A. Tomai (Author), Soutik Ghosal (Author), Corey Casper (Author), Karl Pedersen (Author), William A. Petri (Author), Christopher B. Fox (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group, 2024-12-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

Entamoeba histolytica, the causative agent of amebiasis, is one of the top three parasitic causes of mortality worldwide. However, no vaccine exists against amebiasis. Using a lead candidate vaccine containing the LecA fragment of Gal-lectin and GLA-3M-052 liposome adjuvant, we immunized rhesus macaques via intranasal or intramuscular routes. The vaccine elicited high-avidity functional humoral responses as seen by the inhibition of amebic attachment to mammalian target cells by plasma and stool antibodies. Importantly, antigen-specific IFN-γ-secreting peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and IgG/IgA memory B cells (BMEM) were detected in immunized animals. Furthermore, antigen-specific antibody and cellular responses were maintained for at least 8 months after the final immunization as observed by robust LecA-specific BMEM as well as IFN-γ+ PBMC responses. Overall, both intranasal and intramuscular immunizations elicited a durable and functional response in systemic and mucosal compartments, which supports advancing the LecA+GLA-3M-052 liposome vaccine candidate to clinical testing.

Item Description

10.1080/21645515.2024.2374147
2164-554X
2164-5515