FMDV capsids as immunogens

Analysis of the immune response to a number of different viruses suggests that stable capsids are highly effective at driving antibody and cell mediated immune responses. We have evidence to suggest this is also the case for FMDV. In addition to the intrinsic ability of the stable capsid structures to stimulate protective immune responses, they will provide an opportunity to increase antigen payload to improve vaccine efficacy. An added benefit of producing viral capsids is their use in improved diagnostic tests.

The Global FMD Research Alliance

The Global FMD Research Alliance (GFRA), to which IAH belongs, is an international consortium of five institutions:

  • Australian Animal Health Laboratory
  • IAH Pirbright Laboratory
  • International Livestock Research Institute, Kenya
  • National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, Canada
  • Plum Island Laboratory, USA

It has a five-year research program aimed at developing a new generation of vaccines and other technologies for the control of FMD.

The Alliance fosters synergism in current FMD research activities, and identifies gaps in research. Australia, Canada, USA and UK are FMD-free countries. The laboratories in these countries draw on public sector funding from their own governments, focussing on the delivery of a series of products to better manage the incursion of FMD into normally FMD-free areas.

Taking advantage of this alliance of global expertise on FMD research, the GFRA is developing a separate program, for the wider control of FMD in endemic areas, bringing to bear the knowledge, expertise and leverage offered by the Alliance partners.

Publications:

  • Lefevre EA, Hein WR, Stamataki Z, Brackenbury LS, Supple EA, Hunt LG, Monaghan P, Borhis G, Richard Y, Charleston B. (2007 Sept.) Fibrinogen is localized on dark zone follicular dendritic cells in vivo and enhances the proliferation and survival of a centroblastic cell line in vitro. J Leukoc Biol. [Abstract]. 
  • Gerner W, Carr BV, Wiesmuller KH, Pfaff E, Saalmuller A, Charleston B (2007) Identification of a novel foot-and-mouth disease virus specific T-cell epitope with immunodominant characteristics in cattle with MHC serotype A31. Vet Res. 38, 565-572. [Abstract]. 
  • Aut Meyers G, Ege A, Fetzer C, von Freyburg M, Elbers K, Carr V, Prentice H, Charleston B, Schurmann EM. (2007) Bovine viral diarrhoea virus: Prevention of persistent foetal infection by a combination of two mutations affecting the Erns RNase and the Npro protease. J. Virol. 81, 3327-38. [Full text]. 
  • Hope JC, Howard CJ, Prentice H, Charleston B (2006) Isolation and purification of afferent lymph dendritic cells that drain the skin of cattle. Nature Protocols 1, 982-987. [Abstract]. 
  • Brackenbury LS, Carr BV, Stamataki Z, Prentice H, Lefevre EA, Howard CJ, Charleston B. (2005) Identification of a cell population that produces alpha/beta interferon in vitro and in vivo in response to noncytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus. J Virol. 79, 7738-44 [Abstract]
  • Glew EJ, Carr BV, Brackenbury LS, Hope JC, Charleston B, Howard CJ. (2003) Differential effects of bovine viral diarrhoea virus on monocytes and dendritic cells. J Gen Virol. 2003 84, 1771-80.[Abstract]