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Here we describe the design and strength of a new synthetic late-early optimized (LEO) vaccinia virus (VACV) promoter used as a transcriptional regulator of GFP expression during modified vaccinia Ankara infection. In contrast to the described synthetic VACV promoter (pS), LEO induced significantly higher levels of GFP expression in vitro within the first hour after infection, which correlated with an enhancement in the GFP-specific CD8 T-cell response detected in vivo, demonstrating its potential use in future vaccines.

Poxviruses encode a large variety of proteins that mimic, block or enhance host cell signaling pathways on their own benefit. It has been reported that mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are specifically upregulated during vaccinia virus (VACV) infection. Here, we have evaluated the role of the MAPK negative regulator dual specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1) in the infection of VACV. We demonstrated that DUSP1 expression is enhanced upon infection with the replicative WR virus and with the attenuated VACV viruses MVA and NYVAC. This upregulation is dependent on early viral gene expression. In the absence of DUSP1 in cultured cells, there is an increased activation of its molecular targets JNK and ERK and an enhanced WR replication. Moreover, DUSP1 knock-out (KO) mice are more susceptible to WR infection as a result of enhanced virus replication in the lungs. Significantly, MVA, which is known to produce non-permissive infections in most mammalian cell lines, is able to grow in DUSP1 KO immortalized murine embryo fibroblasts (MEFs). By confocal and electron microscopy assays, we showed that in the absence of DUSP1 MVA morphogenesis is similar as in permissive cell lines and demonstrated that DUSP1 is involved at the stage of transition between IVN and MV in VACV morphogenesis. In addition, we have observed that the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines at early times post-infection in KO mice infected with MVA and NYVAC is increased and that the adaptive immune response is enhanced in comparison with WT-infected mice. Altogether, these findings reveal that DUSP1 is involved in the replication and host range of VACV and in the regulation of host immune responses through the modulation of MAPKs. Thus, in this study we demonstrate that DUSP1 is actively involved in the antiviral host defense mechanism against a poxvirus infection.

Vaccinia virus (VACV), a prototype member of the poxvirus family, has been used from the early times after interferons (IFN) were discovered, as a model virus cell system to analyze the mode of action of IFN. This large DNA-containing virus (around 200 kb) replicates entirely in the cytoplasm of the cell, taking rapidly over the host cell machinery for virus multiplication. In the presence of IFN, this virus exhibits sensitivity or resistance depending on the virus-host model. With the discovery of IFN-induced enzymes, the sensitivity of VACV to IFN was correlated with dsRNA activation of the protein kinase PKR and 2'-5'-OAS/RNaseL systems leading to a translational block by the phosphorylation of the eIF2 alpha factor and RNA breakdown. Following sequencing of the VACV genome and generation of deletion mutants, the resistance phenomenon to IFN was shown to be exerted through inhibition of multiple pathways. This review analyzes current knowledge on the VACV genes encoding proteins acting as decoy receptors to block the activity of type I and type II IFNs, targeting cytokines and chemokines, and antagonizing intracellular signaling pathways (pattern recognition receptors [PRRs] signaling). The molecular dissection of how VACV prevents the IFN response is providing important insights on our understanding of antiviral action and immune surveillance.

Vaccinia virus produces several forms of infectious virions. Intracellular mature virions (IMV) assemble in areas close to the cell nucleus. Some IMV acquire an envelope from intracellular membranes derived from the trans-Golgi network, producing enveloped forms found in the cytosol (intracellular enveloped virus; IEV), on the cell surface (cell-associated enveloped virus) or free in the medium (extracellular enveloped virus; EEV). Blockage of IMV envelopment inhibits transport of virions to the cell surface, indicating that enveloped virus forms are required for virion movement from the Golgi area. To date, the induction of actin tails that propel IEV is the only well-characterized mechanism for enveloped virus transport. However, enveloped virus transport and release occur under conditions where actin tails are not formed. In order to study these events, recombinant vaccinia viruses were constructed with GFP fused to the most abundant protein in the EEV envelope, P37 (F13L). The P37-GFP fusion, like normal P37, accumulated in the Golgi area and was incorporated efficiently into enveloped virions. These recombinants allowed the monitoring of enveloped virus movements in vivo. In addition to a variety of relatively slow movements (<0.4 microm/s), faster, saltatory movements both towards and away from the Golgi area were observed. These movements were different from those dependent on actin tails and were inhibited by the microtubule-disrupting drug nocodazole, but not by the myosin inhibitor 2,3-butanedione monoxime. Video microscopy (5 frames per s) revealed that saltatory movements had speeds of up to, and occasionally more than, 3 microm/s. These results suggest that a second, microtubule-dependent mechanism exists for intracellular transport of enveloped vaccinia virions.

Introduction: While there has been considerable progress in the development of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, largely based on the S (spike) protein of the virus, less progress has been made with vaccines delivering different viral antigens with cross-reactive potential. Methods: In an effort to develop an immunogen with the capacity to induce broad antigen presentation, we have designed a multi-patch synthetic candidate containing dominant and persistent B cell epitopes from conserved regions of SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins associated with long-term immunity, termed CoV2-BMEP. Here we describe the characterization, immunogenicity and efficacy of CoV2-BMEP using two delivery platforms: nucleic acid DNA and attenuated modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA). Results: In cultured cells, both vectors produced a main protein of about 37 kDa as well as heterogeneous proteins with size ranging between 25-37 kDa. In C57BL/6 mice, both homologous and heterologous prime/boost combination of vectors induced the activation of SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4 and CD8 T cell responses, with a more balanced CD8+ T cell response detected in lungs. The homologous MVA/MVA immunization regimen elicited the highest specific CD8+ T cell responses in spleen and detectable binding antibodies (bAbs) to S and N antigens of SARS-CoV-2. In SARS-CoV-2 susceptible k18-hACE2 Tg mice, two doses of MVA-CoV2-BMEP elicited S- and N-specific bAbs as well as crossneutralizing antibodies against different variants of concern (VoC). After SARSFrontiers CoV-2 challenge, all animals in the control unvaccinated group succumbed to the infection while vaccinated animals with high titers of neutralizing antibodies were fully protected against mortality, correlating with a reduction of virus infection in the lungs and inhibition of the cytokine storm. Discussion: These findings revealed a novel immunogen with the capacity to control SARS-CoV-2 infection, using a broader antigen presentation mechanism than the approved vaccines based solely on the S antigen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), responsible of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), continues to be a major global public health issue with any cure or vaccine available. The Interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) encodes a ubiquitin-like protein that is induced by interferons and plays a critical role in the immune response. ISG15 is a modifier protein that covalently binds to its targets via a reversible bond, a process known as ISGylation, which is the bestcharacterized activity of this protein to date. However, ISG15 can also interact with intracellular proteins via non-covalent binding or act as a cytokine in the extracellular space after secretion. In previous studies we proved the adjuvant effect of ISG15 when delivered by a DNA-vector in heterologous prime-boost combination with a Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA)-based recombinant virus expressing HIV-1 antigens Env/Gag-Pol-Nef (MVA-B). Here we extended these results evaluating the adjuvant effect of ISG15 when expressed by an MVA vector. For this, we generated and characterized two novelMVA recombinants expressing different forms of ISG15, the wild-type ISG15GG (able to performISGylation) or the mutated ISG15AA (unable to perform ISGylation). In mice immunized with the heterologous DNA prime/MVA boost regimen, the expression of the mutant ISG15AA from MVA-D3-ISG15AA vector in combination with MVA-B induced an increase in themagnitude and quality of HIV-1-specific CD8 T cells as well as in the levels of IFN-I released, providing a better immunostimulatory activity than the wild-type ISG15GG. Our results confirm the importance of ISG15 as an immune adjuvant in the vaccine field and highlights its role as a potential relevant component in HIV-1 immunization protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Induction of the endogenous innate immune system by interferon (IFN) triggers the expression of many proteins that serve like alarm bells in the body, activating an immune response. After a viral infection, one of the genes activated by IFN induction is the IFN-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15), which encodes a ubiquitin-like protein that undergoes a reversible posttranslational modification (ISGylation). ISG15 protein can also act unconjugated, intracellularly and secreted, acting as a cytokine. Although ISG15 has an essential role in host defense responses to microbial infection, its role as an immunomodulator in the vaccine field remains to be defined. In this investigation, we showed that ISG15 exerts an immunomodulatory role in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccines. In mice, after priming with a DNA-ISG15 vector mixed with a DNA expressing HIV-1 gp120 (DNA-gp120), followed by a booster with a modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) vector expressing HIV-1 antigens, both wild-type ISG15-conjugated (ISG15-wt) and mutant unconjugated (ISG15-mut) proteins act as immune adjuvants by increasing the magnitude and quality of HIV-1-specific CD8 T cells, with ISG15-wt providing better immunostimulatory activity than ISG15-mut. The HIV-1 Env-specific CD8 T cell responses showed a predominant T effector memory (TEM) phenotype in all groups. Moreover, the amount of DNAgp120 used to immunize mice could be reduced 5-fold after mixing with DNA-ISG15 without affecting the potency and the quality of the HIV-1 Env-specific immune responses. Our study clearly highlights the potential use of the IFN-induced ISG15 protein as immune adjuvant to enhance immune responses to HIV antigens, suggesting that this molecule might be exploitable for prophylactic and therapeutic vaccine approaches against pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major goal in the control of hepatitis C infection is the development of a vaccine. Here, we have developed a novel HCV vaccine candidate based on the highly attenuated poxvirus vector MVA (referred to as MVA-HCV) expressing the nearly full-length (7.9-kbp) HCV sequence, with the aim to target almost all of the T and B cell determinants described for HCV. In infected cells, MVA-HCV produces a polyprotein that is subsequently processed into the structural and nonstructural HCV proteins, triggering the cytoplasmic accumulation of dense membrane aggregates. In both C57BL/6 and transgenic HLA-A2-vaccinated mice, MVA-HCV induced high, broad, polyfunctional, and long-lasting HCV-specific T cell immune responses. The vaccine-induced T cell re-sponse was mainly mediated by CD8 T cells; however, although lower in magnitude, the CD4+ T cells were highly polyfunc-tional. In homologous protocol (MVA-HCV/MVA-HCV) the main CD8+ T cell target was p7+NS2, whereas in heterologous combination (DNA-HCV/MVA-HCV) the main target was NS3. Antigenic responses were also detected against other HCV pro-teins (Core, E1-E2, and NS4), but the magnitude of the responses was dependent on the protocol used. The majority of the HCV-induced CD8+ T cells were triple or quadruple cytokine producers. The MVA-HCV vaccine induced memory CD8+ T cell re-sponses with an effector memory phenotype. Overall, our data showed that MVA-HCV induced broad, highly polyfunctional, and durable T cell responses of a magnitude and quality that might be associated with protective immunity and open the path for future considerations of MVA-HCV as a prophylactic and/or therapeutic vaccine candidate against HCV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccinia virus (VACV) encodes an anti-apoptotic Bcl-2-like protein F1 that acts as an inhibitor of caspase-9 and of the Bak/Bax checkpoint but the role of this gene in immune responses is not known. Because dendritic cells that have phagocytosed apoptotic infected cells cross-present viral antigens to cytotoxic T cells inducing an antigen-specific immunity, we hypothesized that deletion of the viral anti-apoptotic F1L gene might have a profound effect on the capacity of poxvirus vectors to activate specific immune responses to virus-expressed recombinant antigens. This has been tested in a mouse model with an F1L deletion mutant of the HIV/AIDS vaccine candidate MVA-C that expresses Env and Gag-Pol-Nef antigens (MVA-C-ΔF1L). The viral gene F1L is not required for virus replication in cultured cells and its deletion in MVA-C induces extensive apoptosis and expression of immunomodulatory genes in infected cells. Analysis of the immune responses induced in BALB/c mice after DNA prime/MVA boost revealed that, in comparison with parental MVA-C, the mutant MVA-C-ΔF1L improves the magnitude of the HIV-1-specific CD8 T cell adaptive immune responses and impacts on the CD8 T cell memory phase by enhancing the magnitude of the response, reducing the contraction phase and changing the memory differentiation pattern. These findings reveal the immunomodulatory role of F1L and that the loss of this gene is a valid strategy for the optimization of MVA as vaccine vector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While as yet there is no vaccine against HIV/AIDS, the results of the phase III Thai trial (RV144) have been encouraging and suggest that further improvements of the prime/boost vaccine combination of a poxvirus and protein are needed. With this aim, in this investigation we have generated derivatives of the candidate vaccinia virus vaccine vector NYVAC with potentially improved functions. This has been achieved by the re-incorporation into the virus genome of two host range genes, K1L and C7L, in conjunction with the removal of the immunomodulatory viral molecule B19, an antagonist of type I interferon action. These novel virus vectors, referred to as NYVAC-C-KC and NYVAC-C-KC-DB19R, have acquired relevant biological characteristics, giving higher levels of antigen expression in infected cells, replication-competency in human keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts, activation of selective host cell signal transduction pathways, and limited virus spread in tissues. Importantly, these replication-competent viruses have been demonstrated to maintain a highly attenuated phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein vaccines, if rendered immunogenic, would facilitate vaccine development against HIV and other pathogens. We compared in nonhuman primates (NHP5) immune responses to HIV Gag p24 within 3G9 antibody to DEC2O5 ("DEC-HIV Gag p24"), an uptake receptor on dendritic cells, to nontargeted, protein, with or without poly ICLC, a synthetic double stranded RNA, as adjuvant. Priming s.c. with 60 μg of both HIV Gag p24 vaccines elicited potent CD4+ T cells secreting IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α, which also proliferated. The responses increased with each of three immunizations and recognized multiple Gag peptides. DEC-HIV Gag p24 showed better cross-priming for CD8+ T cells, whereas the avidity of anti-Gag antibodies was ∼10-fold higher with nontargeted Gag 24 protein. For both protein vaccines, poly ICLC was essential for Tand B-cell immunity. To determine whether adaptive responses could be further enhanced, animals were boosted with New York vaccinia virus (NYVAC)-HIV Gag/Pol/Nef. Gag-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses increased markedly after priming with both protein vaccines and poly ICLC. These data reveal qualitative differences in antibody and T-cell responses to DEC-HIV Gag p24 and Gag p24 protein and show that prime boost with protein and adjuvant followed by NYVAC elicits potent cellular immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) vaccine able to induce long-lasting immunity remains a major challenge. We previously designed a T cell multiepitopic immunogen including protective conserved epitopes from HIV-1 Gag, Pol and Nef proteins (TMEP-B), that induced potent HIV-1-specific CD8 T cells when vectored by DNA and combined with the vaccine candidate modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA)-B. Here, we described the vectorization of TMEP-B in MVA (MVA-TMEP) and evaluated the T cell immunogenicity profile elicited in mice when administered in homologous (MVA/MVA) or heterologous (DNA/MVA) prime/boost vector regimens or using homologous or heterologous inserts. The heterologous vector regimen was superior to the homologous protocol in inducing T cell responses. DNA-TMEP-primed animals boosted with MVA-TMEP or MVA-B exhibited the highest magnitudes of HIV-1-specific CD8, CD4 and T follicular helper (Tfh) cells, with MVA-TMEP significantly expanding Gag-specific CD8 T cell responses. In the homologous vector regimen, all groups exhibited similar HIV-1-specific CD8 and CD4 T cell responses, but both MVA-B/MVA-B and MVA-TMEP/MVA-TMEP combinations elicited higher Gag-Pol-Nef (GPN)-specific CD8 T cell responses compared to MVA-TMEP/MVA-B. Our results revealed an enhanced induction of HIV-1-specific T cell responses by TMEP-B when vectored in both DNA and MVA, and supported their use in combined prime/boost strategies for HIV-1 prevention and/or therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of an effective Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) vaccine that is able to stimulate both the humoral and cellular HIV-1-specific immune responses remains a major priority challenge. In this study, we described the generation and preclinical evaluation of single and double modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA)-based candidates expressing the HIV-1 clade C membrane-bound gp145(ZM96) trimeric protein and/or the Gag(ZM96)-Pol-Nef(CN54) (GPN) polyprotein that was processed to form Gag-induced virus-like particles (VLPs). In vitro characterization of MVA recombinants revealed the stable integration of HIV-1 genes without affecting its replication capacity. In cells that were infected with Env-expressing viruses, the gp145 protein was inserted into the plasma membrane exposing critical epitopes that were recognized by broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs), whereas Gag-induced VLPs were released from cells that were infected with GPN-expressing viruses. VLP particles as well as purified MVA virions contain Env and Gag visualized by immunoelectron microscopy and western-blot of fractions that were obtained after detergent treatments of purified virus particles. In BALB/c mice, homologous MVA-gp145-GPN prime/boost regimen induced broad and polyfunctional Env- and Gag-specific CD4 T cells and antigen-specific T follicular helper (Tfh) and Germinal Center (GC) B cells, which correlated with robust HIV-1-specific humoral responses. Overall, these results support the consideration of MVA-gp145-GPN vector as a potential vaccine candidate against HIV-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viruses have developed strategies to counteract signalling through Toll-like receptors (TLRs) that are involved in the detection of viruses and induction of proinflammatory cytokines and IFNs. Vaccinia virus (VACV) encodes A46 protein which disrupts TLR signalling by interfering with TLR: adaptor interactions. Since the innate immune response to viruses is critical to induce protective immunity, we studied whether deletion of A46R gene in a NYVAC vector expressing HIV-1 Env, Gag, Pol and Nef antigens (NYVAC-C) improves immune responses against HIV-1 antigens. This question was examined in human macrophages and in mice infected with a single A46R deletion mutant of the vaccine candidate NYVAC-C (NYVAC-C-ΔA46R). The viral gene A46R is not required for virus replication in primary chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells and its deletion in NYVAC-C markedly increases TNF, IL-6 and IL-8 secretion by human macrophages. Analysis of the immune responses elicited in BALB/c mice after DNA prime/NYVAC boost immunization shows that deletion of A46R improves the magnitude of the HIV-1-specific CD4 and CD8 T cell immune responses during adaptive and memory phases, maintains the functional profile observed with the parental NYVAC-C and enhances anti-gp120 humoral response during the memory phase. These findings establish the immunological role of VACV A46R on innate immune responses of macrophages in vitro and antigen-specific T and B cell immune responses in vivo and suggest that deletion of viral inhibitors of TLR signalling is a useful approach for the improvement of poxvirus-based vaccine candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poxviruses encode multiple inhibitors of the interferon (IFN) system, acting at different levels and blocking the induction of host defense mechanisms. Two viral gene products, B19 and B8, have been shown to act as decoy receptors of type I and type II IFNs, blocking the binding of IFN to its receptor. Since IFN plays a major role in innate immune responses, in this investigation we asked to what extent the viral inhibitors of the IFN system impact the capacity of poxvirus vectors to activate immune responses. This was tested in a mouse model with single and double deletion mutants of the vaccine candidate NYVAC-C, which expresses the HIV-1 Env, Gag, Pol, and Nef antigens. When deleted individually or in double, the type I (B19) and type II (B8) IFN binding proteins were not required for virus replication in cultured cells. Studies of immune responses in mice after DNA prime/NYVAC boost revealed that deletion of B8R and/or B19R genes improved the magnitude and quality of HIV-1-specific CD8+ T cell adaptive immune responses and impacted their memory phase, changing the contraction, the memory differentiation, the effect magnitude, and the functionality profile. For B cell responses, deletion of the viral gene B8R and/or B19R had no effect on antibody levels to HIV-1 Env. These findings revealed that single or double deletion of viral factors (B8 and B19) targeting the IFN pathway is a useful approach in the design of improved poxvirus-based vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outer envelope of the extracellular form of vaccinia virus contains five virus-encoded proteins, F13, A33, A34, A56, and B5, that, with the exception of A56, are implicated in virus egress or infectivity. A34, a type II transmembrane glycoprotein, is involved in the induction of actin tails, the release of enveloped virus from the surfaces of infected cells, and the disruption of the virus envelope after ligand binding prior to virus entry. To investigate interactions between A34 and other envelope proteins, a recombinant vaccinia virus (vA34RHA) expressing an epitope-tagged version of A34 (A34HA) was constructed by appending an epitope from influenza virus hemagglutinin to the C terminus of A34. Complexes of A34HA with B5 and A36, but not with A33 or F13, were detected in vA34RHA-infected cells. A series of vaccinia viruses expressing mutated versions of the B5 protein was used to investigate the domain(s) of B5 required for interaction with A34. Both the cytoplasmic and the transmembrane domains of B5 were dispensable for binding to A34. Most of the extracellular domain of B5, which contains four short consensus repeats homologous to complement control proteins, was sufficient for A34 interaction, indicating that both proteins interact through their ectodomains. Immunofluorescence experiments on cells infected with A34-deficient virus indicated that A34 is required for efficient targeting of B5, A36, and A33 into wrapped virions. Consistent with this observation, the envelope of A34-deficient virus contained normal amounts of F13 but decreased amounts of A33 and B5 with respect to the parental WR virus. These results point to A34 as a major determinant in the protein composition of the vaccinia virus envelope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extracellular form of vaccinia virus acquires its outer envelope by wrapping with cytoplasmic membranes that contain at least seven virus-encoded proteins, of which four are glycoproteins. We searched for interactions between the vaccinia virus A33 glycoprotein and proteins A34, A36, B5, F12, and F13. First, when myc epitope-tagged A33 was expressed in combination with other envelope proteins, A33 colocalized with B5 and A36, suggesting that direct A33-B5 and A33-A36 interactions occur in the absence of infection. A recombinant vaccinia virus (vA33Rmyc) was constructed by introduction of the myc-tagged A33 version (A33myc) into A33-deficient vaccinia virus. A33myc partially restored plaque formation and colocalized with enveloped virions in infected cells. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments with extracts of vA33Rmyc-infected cells confirmed the existence of a physical association of A33 with A36 and B5. Of these, the A33-B5 interaction is a novel finding, whereas the interaction between A33 and A36 has been previously characterized. A collection of vaccinia viruses expressing mutated versions of the B5 protein was used to investigate the domain(s) of B5 required for interaction with A33. Both the cytoplasmic domain and most of the extracellular domain, but not the transmembrane domain, of the B5 protein were dispensable for binding to A33. Mutations in the extracellular portions of B5 and A33 that enhance extracellular virus release did not affect the interaction between the two. In contrast, substituting the B5 transmembrane domain with that of the vesicular stomatitis virus G glycoprotein prevented the association with A33. Immunofluorescence experiments on virus mutants indicated that B5 is required for efficient targeting of A33 into enveloped virions. These results point to the transmembrane domain of B5 as the major determinant of the A33-B5 interaction and demonstrate that protein-protein interactions are crucial in determining the composition of the virus envelope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We have performed full-field cryo X-ray microscopy in the water window photon energy range on vaccinia virus (VACV) infected cells to produce tomographic reconstructions. PtK2 cells were infected with a GFP-expressing VACV strain and frozen by plunge fast freezing. The infected cells were selected by light fluorescence microscopy of the GFP marker and subsequently imaged in the X-ray microscope under cryogenic conditions. Tomographic tilt series of X-ray images were used to yield three-dimensional reconstructions showing different cell organelles (nuclei, mitochondria, filaments), together with other structures derived from the virus infection. Among them, it was possible to detect viral factories and two types of viral particles related to different maturation steps of VACV (immature and mature particles), which were compared to images obtained by standard electron microscopy of the same type of cells. In addition, the effect of radiation damage during X-ray tomographic acquisition was analyzed. Thin sections studied by electron microscopy revealed that the morphological features of the cells do not present noticeable changes after irradiation. Our findings show that cryo X-ray nano-tomography is a powerful tool for collecting three-dimensional structural information from frozen, unfixed, unstained whole cells with sufficient resolution to detect different virus particles exhibiting distinct maturation levels. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: To investigate the safety and immunogenicity of a modified vaccinia virus Ankara vector expressing HIV-1 antigens from clade B (MVA-B), a phase-I, doubled-blind placebo-controlled trial was performed. Methods: 30 HIV-uninfected volunteers at low risk of HIV-1 infection were randomly allocated to receive 3 intramuscular injections (1×108 pfu/dose) of MVA-B (n =24) or placebo (n =6) at weeks 0, 4 and 16. All volunteers were followed 48 weeks. Primary end-points were adverse events and immunogenicity. Results: A total of 169 adverse events were reported, 164 of grade 1–2, and 5 of grade 3 (none related to vaccination). Overall 75% of the volunteers showed positive ELISPOT responses at any time point. The magnitude (median) of the total responses induced was 288SFC/106 PBMC at week 18. Antibody responses against Env were observed in 95% and 72% of vaccinees at week 18 and 48, respectively. HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies were detected in 33% of volunteers. Conclusions: MVA-B was safe, well tolerated and elicited strong and durable T-cell and antibody responses in 75% and 95% of volunteers, respectively. These data support further exploration of MVA-B as an HIV-1 vaccine candidate. Clinical Trials.gov identifier: NCT00679497. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]