The effect of respiratory viruses on immunogenicity and protection induced by a candidate universal influenza vaccine in mice.

Current approaches to influenza control rely on vaccines matched to viruses in circulation. Universal influenza vaccines would offer the advantage of providing broad protection against diverse strains of influenza virus. Candidate universal vaccines are developed using model systems, often testing in naïve animals. Yet the human population is not naïve, having varied immune histories that include exposure to viruses. We studied a candidate universal influenza vaccine (replication deficient adenoviruses expressing the conserved influenza A antigens NP and M2 [A/NP+M2-rAd]) given intranasally, the route previously shown to be most effective. To model recipients exposed to viruses, we used mice given rhinovirus (RV1B), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV-A2), influenza B virus, or influenza A virus before or after universal influenza vaccine. Vaccine performance was assessed by measuring immune responses to NP and M2, and monitoring weight loss and survival following influenza A challenge. Prior influenza A virus infection enhanced the response to the vaccine by priming to conserved influenza A antigens. RSV-A2 or RV1B had no effect on antibody responses to NP and M2 in serum. None of the viruses inhibited the ability of the vaccine to protect against influenza A virus challenge. The study demonstrates that the usefulness of this universal vaccine is not confined to the immunologically naïve and supports possible use in a human population with a varied history of respiratory infections.

Development of Luciferase Immunoprecipitation Systems (LIPS) Assay to Detect IgG Antibodies against Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus G-Glycoprotein.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes severe lower respiratory tract disease in infants and the elderly. Although there is no licensed vaccine, RSV-F and -G glycoproteins are targets for vaccine development and therapeutics. We developed an assay that can detect anti-RSV-G IgG antibodies, either as a biomarker of natural exposure or immunization. RSV genes encoding native and mutated G (mG) proteins from subgroups A and B strains were cloned, expressed as luciferase-tagged proteins, and tested individually to detect anti-RSV-G specific IgG antibodies using a high-throughput luciferase immunoprecipitation system (LIPS-G). RSV monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal antisera specifically bound in the LIPS-GA and/or -GB assays; whereas anti-RSV-F and -N, and antisera against measles virus or human metapneumovirus did not bind. Anti-RSV-GA and -GB IgG responses detected in mice infected intranasally with RSV-A or -B strains were subtype specific. Subtype specific anti-RSV-GA or -GB IgG responses were also detected using paired serum samples from infants while human adolescent serum samples reacted in both LIPS-GA and -GB assays, reflecting a broader experience.

Assessment of total silver and silver nanoparticle extraction from medical devices.

There is concern over the release of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from medical devices due to their potential toxicological consequences inside the body. Towards developing the exposure component of a risk assessment model, the purpose of this study was to determine the amount and physical form of silver released from medical devices. Scanning electron microscopy was used to confirm that three of five marketed medical devices contained nanosilver coatings (mean feature sizes 115-341 nm). Aqueous device extracts (water, saline and human plasma) were analyzed with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and nanoparticle tracking analysis. The amount of silver extracted from the devices ranged from 1 × 10(-1) to 1 × 10(6) ng/cm(2) (conditions ranged from 37 to 50 °C, over one hour to seven days). The results further indicated that one of the five devices (labeled MD1) released significantly more AgNPs than the other devices. This data suggests that some but not all devices that are formulated with nanosilver may release detectable levels of AgNPs upon extraction. Further work is underway to quantitate the proportion of silver released as AgNPs and to incorporate this data into a risk assessment for AgNP exposure from medical devices.