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[SIZE=-1]The Journal of Infectious Diseases 2006;194:159-167
? 2006 by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved.
0022-1899/2006/19402-0005$15.00[/SIZE]
<HR>
http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/JID/journal/issues/v194n2/35777/35777.html
<TABLE cellPadding=5><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle bgColor=#990000>[FONT=helvetica, arial]MAJOR<SUP> </SUP>ARTICLE[/FONT]</TD><SUP></SUP></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
[FONT=helvetica, arial][SIZE=-1]Elena A. Govorkova,<SUP>1</SUP><SUP> </SUP>Richard J. Webby,<SUP>1</SUP><SUP> </SUP>Jennifer Humberd,<SUP>1</SUP><SUP> </SUP>Jon P. Seiler,<SUP>1</SUP><SUP> </SUP>and<SUP> </SUP>Robert G. Webster<SUP>1,2</SUP><SUP> </SUP>[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial][SIZE=-1]<SUP>1</SUP>Department<SUP> </SUP>of<SUP> </SUP>Infectious<SUP> </SUP>Diseases,<SUP> </SUP>St.<SUP> </SUP>Jude<SUP> </SUP>Children's<SUP> </SUP>Research<SUP> </SUP>Hospital,<SUP> </SUP>and<SUP> </SUP><SUP>2</SUP>Department<SUP> </SUP>of<SUP> </SUP>Pathology,<SUP> </SUP>University<SUP> </SUP>of<SUP> </SUP>Tennessee,<SUP> </SUP>Memphis<SUP> </SUP>[/SIZE][/FONT]
<SUP></SUP></B>
[FONT=helvetica, arial][SIZE=-1](See<SUP> </SUP>the editorial commentary by<SUP> </SUP>Hampson, on pages 143?5.)<SUP> </SUP>[/SIZE][/FONT]
<CENTER><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="80%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>
Background. Multiple cases of transmission<SUP> </SUP>of avian H5N1 influenza<SUP> </SUP>viruses to humans illustrate<SUP> </SUP>the urgent need for<SUP> </SUP>an efficacious, cross-protective vaccine.
Methods. Ferrets<SUP> </SUP>were immunized with inactivated<SUP> </SUP>whole-virus vaccine produced by<SUP> </SUP>reverse genetics with the<SUP> </SUP>hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase<SUP> </SUP>genes of A/HK/213/03 virus.<SUP> </SUP>Ferrets received a single<SUP> </SUP>dose of vaccine (7<SUP> </SUP>or 15
g of<SUP> </SUP>HA) with aluminum hydroxide<SUP> </SUP>adjuvant or 2 doses<SUP> </SUP>(7
g of HA<SUP> </SUP>each) without adjuvant and<SUP> </SUP>were challenged with 10<SUP>6</SUP><SUP> </SUP>50% egg infectious doses<SUP> </SUP>of A/HK/213/03, A/HK/156/97, or<SUP> </SUP>A/Vietnam/1203/04 virus.<SUP> </SUP>
Results. One or 2<SUP> </SUP>doses of vaccine induced<SUP> </SUP>a protective antibody response<SUP> </SUP>to the vaccine strain.<SUP> </SUP>All immunization regimens completely<SUP> </SUP>protected ferrets from challenge<SUP> </SUP>with homologous wild-type A/HK/213/03<SUP> </SUP>virus: no clinical signs<SUP> </SUP>of infection were observed,<SUP> </SUP>virus replication was significantly<SUP> </SUP>reduced (P < .05)<SUP> </SUP>and was restricted to<SUP> </SUP>the upper respiratory tract,<SUP> </SUP>and spread of virus<SUP> </SUP>to the brain was<SUP> </SUP>prevented. Importantly, all vaccinated<SUP> </SUP>ferrets were protected against<SUP> </SUP>lethal challenge with the<SUP> </SUP>highly pathogenic strain A/Vietnam/1203/04.<SUP> </SUP>The 2-dose schedule induced<SUP> </SUP>higher levels of antibodies<SUP> </SUP>that were cross-reactive to<SUP> </SUP>antigenically distinct H5N1 viruses.<SUP> </SUP>
Conclusions. H5N1<SUP> </SUP>vaccines may stimulate an<SUP> </SUP>immune response that is<SUP> </SUP>more cross-protective than what<SUP> </SUP>might be predicted by<SUP> </SUP>in vitro assays and,<SUP> </SUP>thus, hold potential for<SUP> </SUP>being stockpiled as "initial"<SUP> </SUP>pandemic vaccines.<SUP> </SUP>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER><HR>
[SIZE=-1] Received 11 October 2005; accepted 7 February 2006; electronically published 9 June 2006.[/SIZE]<SUP> </SUP>
[SIZE=-1] Potential conflicts of<SUP> </SUP>interest: none reported.<SUP> </SUP>
Financial support:<SUP> </SUP>National Institute of Allergy<SUP> </SUP>and Infectious Diseases, National<SUP> </SUP>Institutes of Health (grants<SUP> </SUP>AI-95357 and AI-57570); American<SUP> </SUP>Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities.<SUP> </SUP>[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1] Reprints<SUP> </SUP>or<SUP> </SUP>correspondence:<SUP> </SUP>Dr.<SUP> </SUP>Robert<SUP> </SUP>G.<SUP> </SUP>Webster,<SUP> </SUP>Dept.<SUP> </SUP>of<SUP> </SUP>Infectious<SUP> </SUP>Diseases,<SUP> </SUP>St.<SUP> </SUP>Jude<SUP> </SUP>Children's<SUP> </SUP>Research<SUP> </SUP>Hospital,<SUP> </SUP>332<SUP> </SUP>N.<SUP> </SUP>Lauderdale,<SUP> </SUP>Memphis,<SUP> </SUP>TN<SUP> </SUP>38105-2794<SUP> </SUP>(robert.webster@stjude.org).[/SIZE]
<HR> The<SUP> </SUP>pandemic potential of the<SUP> </SUP>avian H5N1 influenza viruses<SUP> </SUP>for humans is well<SUP> </SUP>documented [1http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/JID/journal/issues/v194n2/35777/35777.text.html#rf2?3]. These viruses<SUP> </SUP>can cause severe disease<SUP> </SUP>in humans, with multiple-organ<SUP> </SUP>failure and death of<SUP> </SUP>the infected individuals [4,<SUP> </SUP>5]. Improvements in biosecurity<SUP> </SUP>in poultry markets [6],<SUP> </SUP>surveillance, and monitoring of<SUP> </SUP>avian-human transmission are important<SUP> </SUP>measures for control of<SUP> </SUP>the emergence of highly<SUP> </SUP>pathogenic viruses. Antiviral drugs<SUP> </SUP>can be helpful at<SUP> </SUP>the early stage of<SUP> </SUP>a pandemic [7], but<SUP> </SUP>vaccination of poultry and<SUP> </SUP>humans is the main<SUP> </SUP>preventive strategy against pandemic<SUP> </SUP>influenza.<SUP> </SUP>
An effective influenza vaccine<SUP> </SUP>is urgently needed as<SUP> </SUP>H5N1 viruses continue to<SUP> </SUP>spread in Asia, not<SUP> </SUP>only causing an increasing<SUP> </SUP>number of human infections<SUP> </SUP>and high mortality rates<SUP> </SUP>[3, 5] but also<SUP> </SUP>showing evidence of probable<SUP> </SUP>human-to-human transmission [8]. Influenza<SUP> </SUP>vaccines based on wild-type<SUP> </SUP>H5N1 virus cannot be<SUP> </SUP>produced on a large<SUP> </SUP>scale, because of high<SUP> </SUP>virus virulence and the<SUP> </SUP>requirements for working under<SUP> </SUP>biosafety level (BSL) 3+<SUP> </SUP>conditions [9]. Vaccines based<SUP> </SUP>on less virulent H5<SUP> </SUP>influenza strains that are<SUP> </SUP>antigenically similar to circulating<SUP> </SUP>strains [10, 11] have<SUP> </SUP>so far been poorly<SUP> </SUP>immunogenic in human trials<SUP> </SUP>[12]. Recombinant hemagglutinin (HA)<SUP> </SUP>proteins and DNA vaccines<SUP> </SUP>have also been explored<SUP> </SUP>[13http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/JID/journal/issues/v194n2/35777/35777.text.html#rf14?15]. Gene-gun?delivered DNA vaccine<SUP> </SUP>encoding H5 HA from<SUP> </SUP>A/HK/156/97 virus provided immunity<SUP> </SUP>against homologous and heterologous<SUP> </SUP>H5N1 infection of mice<SUP> </SUP>[13]. Baculovirus-expressed H5 HA<SUP> </SUP>vaccine was extremely well<SUP> </SUP>tolerated in human trials<SUP> </SUP>but failed to elicit<SUP> </SUP>substantial antibody responses; higher<SUP> </SUP>doses of antigen and/or<SUP> </SUP>addition of adjuvants have<SUP> </SUP>yet to be tested<SUP> </SUP>[15].<SUP> </SUP>
One of the important<SUP> </SUP>requirements for a pandemic<SUP> </SUP>vaccine is availability on<SUP> </SUP>short notice. Reverse-genetics technology<SUP> </SUP>allows the generation of<SUP> </SUP>safe vaccine strains with<SUP> </SUP>known properties and offers<SUP> </SUP>the important advantage of<SUP> </SUP>rapid vaccine preparation, which<SUP> </SUP>could be crucial in<SUP> </SUP>a pandemic [16]. An<SUP> </SUP>inactivated vaccine virus that<SUP> </SUP>has the internal genes<SUP> </SUP>of A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) virus<SUP> </SUP>and the HA and<SUP> </SUP>neuraminidase (NA) genes of<SUP> </SUP>A/HK/491/97 (H5N1) virus has<SUP> </SUP>been found to be<SUP> </SUP>immunogenic and to protect<SUP> </SUP>mice from challenge with<SUP> </SUP>homologous and heterologous H5N1<SUP> </SUP>viruses [17]. The reverse-genetics<SUP> </SUP>approach has also been<SUP> </SUP>used to generate an<SUP> </SUP>effective agricultural H5N3 vaccine<SUP> </SUP>that induced anti-HA antibodies<SUP> </SUP>and prevented death in<SUP> </SUP>chickens [18]. Clinical evaluation<SUP> </SUP>of a candidate H5N1<SUP> </SUP>reverse-genetics vaccine based on<SUP> </SUP>A/Vietnam/1203/04 virus is planned<SUP> </SUP>in the United States<SUP> </SUP>and Europe [9].<SUP> </SUP>
The use<SUP> </SUP>of reverse genetics to<SUP> </SUP>produce influenza vaccines is<SUP> </SUP>still relatively new, and<SUP> </SUP>questions remain about the<SUP> </SUP>safety and immunogenicity of<SUP> </SUP>these vaccines, as well<SUP> </SUP>as what dosage and<SUP> </SUP>regimen are needed to<SUP> </SUP>protect immunologically naive persons<SUP> </SUP>from severe infection. One<SUP> </SUP>of the important questions<SUP> </SUP>for pandemic preparedness is<SUP> </SUP>not only whether the<SUP> </SUP>protective immunity provided by<SUP> </SUP>a vaccine is effective<SUP> </SUP>against viruses that are<SUP> </SUP>antigenically closely matched with<SUP> </SUP>those in the vaccine<SUP> </SUP>but also whether these<SUP> </SUP>vaccines can be effective<SUP> </SUP>against viruses that have<SUP> </SUP>undergone antigenic drift. Cross-protection<SUP> </SUP>within an HA subtype<SUP> </SUP>would allow the use<SUP> </SUP>of a stockpiled vaccine<SUP> </SUP>until a strain-specific vaccine<SUP> </SUP>is available.<SUP> </SUP>
Ferrets are considered<SUP> </SUP>to be the most<SUP> </SUP>suitable animal model for<SUP> </SUP>preclinical evaluation of human<SUP> </SUP>influenza vaccines. In the<SUP> </SUP>present study, we used<SUP> </SUP>this model to assess<SUP> </SUP>the immunogenicity, protective efficacy,<SUP> </SUP>and cross-reactivity of various<SUP> </SUP>regimens of vaccination with<SUP> </SUP>inactivated whole-virus A/HK/213/03xA/PR/8/34 (rgHK213/03xPR8)<SUP> </SUP>influenza vaccine generated by<SUP> </SUP>reverse genetics. Cross-protection was<SUP> </SUP>determined by challenge with<SUP> </SUP>antigenically diverse H5N1 viruses,<SUP> </SUP>including A/HK/156/97 and A/Vietnam/1203/04.<SUP> </SUP>
[FONT=helvetica, arial][SIZE=+1]MATERIALS AND METHODS<SUP> </SUP>[/SIZE][/FONT]
Viruses and cells. The<SUP> </SUP>H5N1 human influenza viruses<SUP> </SUP>A/HK/156/97, A/HK/213/03, and A/Vietnam/1203/04<SUP> </SUP>were obtained from the<SUP> </SUP>World Health Organization influenza<SUP> </SUP>collaborating laboratories. Stock viruses<SUP> </SUP>were propagated in the<SUP> </SUP>allantoic cavities of 10-day-old<SUP> </SUP>embryonated chicken eggs at<SUP> </SUP>35?C for 36 h<SUP> </SUP>and stored at -70?C.<SUP> </SUP>All experiments with highly<SUP> </SUP>pathogenic viruses were conducted<SUP> </SUP>in a BSL 3+<SUP> </SUP>containment facility approved for<SUP> </SUP>use by the US<SUP> </SUP>Department of Agriculture and<SUP> </SUP>the US Centers for<SUP> </SUP>Disease Control and Prevention.<SUP> </SUP>MDCK cells were obtained<SUP> </SUP>from the American Type<SUP> </SUP>Culture Collection and were<SUP> </SUP>grown in MEM supplemented<SUP> </SUP>with 5% fetal calf<SUP> </SUP>serum in a humidified<SUP> </SUP>atmosphere of 5% CO<SUB>2</SUB>.<SUP> </SUP>
Antigenic analysis. The<SUP> </SUP>antigenic characterization of the<SUP> </SUP>H5N1 viruses was performed<SUP> </SUP>by the hemagglutination inhibition<SUP> </SUP>(HI) test with a<SUP> </SUP>panel of polyclonal antisera<SUP> </SUP>and monoclonal antibodies (MAbs)<SUP> </SUP>against H5 HA. MAbs<SUP> </SUP>were prepared using a<SUP> </SUP>modification of the method<SUP> </SUP>described elsewhere [19].<SUP> </SUP>
Generation of the candidate vaccine. Recombinant virus<SUP> </SUP>containing the HA and<SUP> </SUP>NA genes of A/HK/213/03<SUP> </SUP>(H5N1) influenza virus in<SUP> </SUP>the background of the<SUP> </SUP>A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) virus was<SUP> </SUP>generated and rescued in<SUP> </SUP>Vero cells certified for<SUP> </SUP>vaccine production at the<SUP> </SUP>St. Jude Children's Research<SUP> </SUP>Hospital under good manufacturing<SUP> </SUP>practice conditions [16]. The<SUP> </SUP>vaccine strain was propagated<SUP> </SUP>in eggs at 37?C<SUP> </SUP>for 48 h, and<SUP> </SUP>virus-containing allantoic fluid was<SUP> </SUP>inactivated by use of<SUP> </SUP>
-propiolactone at a ratio<SUP> </SUP>of 1 : 2000 (vol/vol). Vaccine<SUP> </SUP>preparations were concentrated by<SUP> </SUP>Amicon ultrafiltration and ultracentrifugation<SUP> </SUP>through a 25% and<SUP> </SUP>70% sucrose cushion, pelleted<SUP> </SUP>at 76,000 g at<SUP> </SUP>4?C for 1 h,<SUP> </SUP>and purified as described<SUP> </SUP>elsewhere [18]. The HA<SUP> </SUP>protein content of vaccine<SUP> </SUP>preparations was determined by<SUP> </SUP>single radial immunodiffusion assay.<SUP> </SUP>
Immunization and challenge. Young<SUP> </SUP>adult ferrets 4?6 months<SUP> </SUP>of age and seronegative<SUP> </SUP>for currently circulating influenza<SUP> </SUP>A H1N1 and H5N1<SUP> </SUP>and influenza B viruses<SUP> </SUP>were obtained from Marshall<SUP> </SUP>Farms or the breeding<SUP> </SUP>program at St. Jude<SUP> </SUP>Children's Research Hospital. More<SUP> </SUP>than 90% of ferrets<SUP> </SUP>had HI titers (1 : 20<SUP> </SUP>to 1 : 160) against A/Panama/2007/99<SUP> </SUP>(H3N2) virus obtained through<SUP> </SUP>natural infection. Groups of<SUP> </SUP>3 or 4 ferrets<SUP> </SUP>were vaccinated intramuscularly on<SUP> </SUP>2 schedules: (1) with<SUP> </SUP>1 dose of inactivated<SUP> </SUP>vaccine containing 7 or<SUP> </SUP>15
g of HA<SUP> </SUP>plus 0.5 mg of<SUP> </SUP>aluminum hydroxide adjuvant or<SUP> </SUP>(2) with 2 doses<SUP> </SUP>of vaccine, each containing<SUP> </SUP>7
g of HA<SUP> </SUP>without adjuvant, administered 3<SUP> </SUP>weeks apart. Control ferrets<SUP> </SUP>received PBS. Ferrets that<SUP> </SUP>received 1 dose of<SUP> </SUP>vaccine were challenged with<SUP> </SUP>wild-type H5N1 virus 4<SUP> </SUP>weeks after vaccination. Those<SUP> </SUP>that received 2 doses<SUP> </SUP>were challenged 1 week<SUP> </SUP>after the last dose.<SUP> </SUP>Ferrets were anesthetized with<SUP> </SUP>isoflurane and inoculated intranasally<SUP> </SUP>with 10<SUP>6</SUP> EID<SUB>50</SUB> of<SUP> </SUP>either homologous A/HK/213/03 or<SUP> </SUP>heterologous A/HK/156/97 and A/Vietnam/1203/04<SUP> </SUP>challenge virus in 1.0<SUP> </SUP>mL of sterile PBS.<SUP> </SUP>Clinical signs of infection,<SUP> </SUP>relative inactivity index [20],<SUP> </SUP>and body temperature were<SUP> </SUP>monitored daily for 12<SUP> </SUP>days.<SUP> </SUP>
Nasal washes and tissue samples. On days 3, 5,<SUP> </SUP>and 7 after virus<SUP> </SUP>inoculation, ferrets were anesthetized<SUP> </SUP>with ketamine (25 mg/kg)<SUP> </SUP>and nasal washes were<SUP> </SUP>collected. Lung, brain, olfactory<SUP> </SUP>bulb, and intestinal tissues<SUP> </SUP>were collected from groups<SUP> </SUP>of 2 ferrets vaccinated<SUP> </SUP>with 2 doses of<SUP> </SUP>vaccine and inoculated with<SUP> </SUP>A/HK/213/03 virus, as described<SUP> </SUP>elsewhere [21]. Virus was<SUP> </SUP>titrated in eggs and<SUP> </SUP>expressed as log<SUB>10</SUB> EID<SUB>50</SUB><SUP> </SUP>per milliliter or gram,<SUP> </SUP>as calculated by the<SUP> </SUP>method of Reed and<SUP> </SUP>Muench [22]. The limit<SUP> </SUP>of virus detection was<SUP> </SUP><0.75 log<SUB>10</SUB> EID<SUB>50</SUB>/mL. Virus<SUP> </SUP>titers were compared by<SUP> </SUP>a 2-tailed t test.<SUP> </SUP>
Serologic testing. Serum<SUP> </SUP>samples were obtained 3<SUP> </SUP>weeks after the first<SUP> </SUP>dose and 1 week<SUP> </SUP>after the second dose<SUP> </SUP>of vaccine or 4<SUP> </SUP>weeks after a single<SUP> </SUP>dose. Serum samples were<SUP> </SUP>treated with receptor-destroying enzyme,<SUP> </SUP>heat inactivated at 56?C<SUP> </SUP>for 30 min, treated<SUP> </SUP>with packed chicken red<SUP> </SUP>blood cells (CRBCs), and<SUP> </SUP>tested by HI assay<SUP> </SUP>with 0.5% CRBCs. Anti-NA<SUP> </SUP>antibodies were assayed by<SUP> </SUP>the standard method, with<SUP> </SUP>fetuin (50
g/mL) as<SUP> </SUP>a substrate [23]. Virus<SUP> </SUP>neutralizing titers were determined<SUP> </SUP>by infection of MDCK<SUP> </SUP>cells and are expressed<SUP> </SUP>as the reciprocal of<SUP> </SUP>the highest dilution of<SUP> </SUP>serum that gave 50%<SUP> </SUP>neutralization of 100 TCID<SUB>50</SUB><SUP> </SUP>of virus after incubation<SUP> </SUP>at 37?C for 72<SUP> </SUP>h [24].<SUP> </SUP>
[FONT=helvetica, arial][SIZE=+1]RESULTS<SUP> </SUP>[/SIZE][/FONT]
Immunogenicity of rgHK213/03xPR8 (H5N1) influenza vaccine. We tested the<SUP> </SUP>serum antibody response of<SUP> </SUP>ferrets to various regimens<SUP> </SUP>of vaccination with rgHK213/03xPR8.<SUP> </SUP>After a single dose<SUP> </SUP>of either 7 or<SUP> </SUP>15
g of HA<SUP> </SUP>with aluminum hydroxide adjuvant,<SUP> </SUP>the mean anti-HA titers<SUP> </SUP>were 1 : 107 and 1 : 120,<SUP> </SUP>respectively (table 1). Importantly, HI<SUP> </SUP>titers against homologous A/HK/213/03<SUP> </SUP>virus were
1 : 40 in<SUP> </SUP>all vaccinated ferrets. Because<SUP> </SUP>HI tests can be<SUP> </SUP>relatively insensitive in detecting<SUP> </SUP>antibodies induced by avian<SUP> </SUP>influenza viruses in mammals<SUP> </SUP>[15, 24], we confirmed<SUP> </SUP>the HI titers by<SUP> </SUP>performing virus-neutralization assays in<SUP> </SUP>MDCK cells. There appeared<SUP> </SUP>to be a dose<SUP> </SUP>response: immunization with 15<SUP> </SUP>
g of HA resulted<SUP> </SUP>in mean virus-neutralizing titers<SUP> </SUP>
1.5 times higher than<SUP> </SUP>those induced by 7<SUP> </SUP>
g of HA. Both<SUP> </SUP>single-dose regimens induced low<SUP> </SUP>anti-NA titers, although titers<SUP> </SUP>elicited by 15
g<SUP> </SUP>of HA were approximately<SUP> </SUP>twice those elicited by<SUP> </SUP>7
g of HA.<SUP> </SUP>
<TABLE cellSpacing=10><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=middle>
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>[FONT=helvetica, arial][SIZE=-1]Table 1. [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]Serum<SUP> </SUP>antibody response in ferrets<SUP> </SUP>after vaccination with rgHK213/03xPR8<SUP> </SUP>(H5N1) vaccine.[/SIZE][/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> The presence of<SUP> </SUP>adjuvant did not affect<SUP> </SUP>the level of anti-HA<SUP> </SUP>antibodies in postvaccination serum,<SUP> </SUP>although it did increase<SUP> </SUP>the mean titer of<SUP> </SUP>virus-neutralizing antibodies (table 1). A<SUP> </SUP>large increase in the<SUP> </SUP>mean anti-HA antibody titer<SUP> </SUP>was observed after booster<SUP> </SUP>immunization. A second dose<SUP> </SUP>of vaccine also increased<SUP> </SUP>the mean titers of<SUP> </SUP>anti-NA antibodies (by a<SUP> </SUP>factor of
5) and<SUP> </SUP>virus-neutralizing antibodies (by a<SUP> </SUP>factor of
11.5) (table 1).<SUP> </SUP>Although 1 dose of<SUP> </SUP>rgH5N1 vaccine with adjuvant<SUP> </SUP>induced anti-HA titers ranging<SUP> </SUP>from 1 : 40 to 1 : 160,<SUP> </SUP>the 2-dose schedule was<SUP> </SUP>more effective in raising<SUP> </SUP>serum antibodies.<SUP> </SUP>
Protection against challenge with homologous virus. After vaccination, ferrets<SUP> </SUP>were challenged with 10<SUP>6</SUP><SUP> </SUP>EID<SUB>50</SUB> of the wild-type<SUP> </SUP>A/HK/213/03 (H5N1) virus. Ferrets<SUP> </SUP>in the unvaccinated control<SUP> </SUP>group (n = 4)<SUP> </SUP>showed lethargy (n =<SUP> </SUP>2), respiratory symptoms (n<SUP> </SUP>= 2), fever (n<SUP> </SUP>= 4; range, 38?C?41?C)<SUP> </SUP>(figure 1A), and weight loss<SUP> </SUP>(n = 4). On<SUP> </SUP>day 6 after inoculation,<SUP> </SUP>the ferrets had lost<SUP> </SUP>4%?12% of their initial<SUP> </SUP>weight (figure 1B). One of<SUP> </SUP>3 ferrets that received<SUP> </SUP>a single dose of<SUP> </SUP>7
g of HA<SUP> </SUP>showed increased body temperature<SUP> </SUP>and weight loss. None<SUP> </SUP>of the remaining vaccinated<SUP> </SUP>ferrets showed signs of<SUP> </SUP>illness.<SUP> </SUP>
<TABLE cellSpacing=10><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=middle>
[SIZE=-1](91 kB)[/SIZE]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>[FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]Figure 1. [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]Change in body temperature<SUP> </SUP>(A) and weight (B)<SUP> </SUP>of vaccinated and control<SUP> </SUP>ferrets after challenge with<SUP> </SUP>homologous A/HK/213/03 (H5N1) virus.<SUP> </SUP>Groups of 3 or<SUP> </SUP>4 ferrets either were<SUP> </SUP>vaccinated with a single<SUP> </SUP>dose (7 or 15<SUP> </SUP>
g) or 2 doses<SUP> </SUP>(both 7
g) of<SUP> </SUP>hemagglutinin (HA) of HK213/03xPR8<SUP> </SUP>(H5N1) vaccine or not<SUP> </SUP>vaccinated and then were<SUP> </SUP>inoculated with 10<SUP>6</SUP> EID<SUB>50</SUB><SUP> </SUP>of the wild-type A/HK/213/03<SUP> </SUP>(H5N1) virus. Temperatures were<SUP> </SUP>monitored daily by use<SUP> </SUP>of subcutaneous implantable temperature<SUP> </SUP>transponders. Each data point<SUP> </SUP>represents the mean ? SD<SUP> </SUP>value. The mean body<SUP> </SUP>temperature of an uninfected<SUP> </SUP>ferret is 38.8?C. Loss<SUP> </SUP>or gain of weight<SUP> </SUP>was calculated for each<SUP> </SUP>ferret as the percentage<SUP> </SUP>change in the initial<SUP> </SUP>mean starting weight on<SUP> </SUP>day 0. Data are<SUP> </SUP>the mean ? SD values<SUP> </SUP>from 2?4 ferrets for<SUP> </SUP>each group.[/SIZE][/FONT]
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> To compare the<SUP> </SUP>efficacy of the vaccination<SUP> </SUP>regimens in inhibiting virus<SUP> </SUP>replication in the upper<SUP> </SUP>respiratory tract, we collected<SUP> </SUP>nasal washes on days<SUP> </SUP>3, 5, and 7<SUP> </SUP>after inoculation with A/HK/213/03<SUP> </SUP>virus (table 2). Unvaccinated control<SUP> </SUP>ferrets shed virus at<SUP> </SUP>mean titers of 5.3<SUP> </SUP>log<SUB>10</SUB> EID<SUB>50</SUB>/mL on day<SUP> </SUP>3 and 5.2 log<SUB>10</SUB><SUP> </SUP>EID<SUB>50</SUB>/mL on day 5.<SUP> </SUP>Ferrets that received a<SUP> </SUP>single dose of 7<SUP> </SUP>
g of HA had<SUP> </SUP>significantly lower virus titers<SUP> </SUP>than control ferrets on<SUP> </SUP>day 3 (P <<SUP> </SUP>.05), and only 1<SUP> </SUP>of 3 shed virus<SUP> </SUP>on day 5 after<SUP> </SUP>inoculation. A single dose<SUP> </SUP>equivalent to 15
g<SUP> </SUP>of HA reduced the<SUP> </SUP>number of ferrets shedding<SUP> </SUP>virus on day 3<SUP> </SUP>after inoculation (2/3 ferrets)<SUP> </SUP>and completely inhibited virus<SUP> </SUP>replication on day 5.<SUP> </SUP>Administration of 2 doses<SUP> </SUP>of 7
g of<SUP> </SUP>HA significantly reduced virus<SUP> </SUP>titers and decreased the<SUP> </SUP>number of ferrets that<SUP> </SUP>shed virus, compared with<SUP> </SUP>control ferrets (table 2).<SUP> </SUP>
<TABLE cellSpacing=10><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=middle>
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>[FONT=helvetica, arial][SIZE=-1]Table 2. [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]Efficacy of<SUP> </SUP>rgHK213/03xPR8 (H5N1) vaccine in<SUP> </SUP>reducing virus replication in<SUP> </SUP>the upper respiratory tracts<SUP> </SUP>of ferrets after homologous<SUP> </SUP>virus (A/HK/213/03 [H5N1]) challenge.[/SIZE][/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> We<SUP> </SUP>tested the efficacy of<SUP> </SUP>the 2-dose vaccination in<SUP> </SUP>inhibiting the spread of<SUP> </SUP>homologous A/HK/213/03 (H5N1) virus<SUP> </SUP>to organs. In control<SUP> </SUP>ferrets, virus titers on<SUP> </SUP>day 3 after inoculation<SUP> </SUP>were 5.8 and 6.8<SUP> </SUP>log<SUB>10</SUB> EID<SUB>50</SUB>/g in lung<SUP> </SUP>(2/2 ferrets), 2.5 log<SUB>10</SUB><SUP> </SUP>EID<SUB>50</SUB>/g in brain (1/2<SUP> </SUP>ferrets), and 1.3 and<SUP> </SUP>3.0 log<SUB>10</SUB>EID<SUB>50</SUB>/g in the<SUP> </SUP>olfactory bulb (2/2 ferrets).<SUP> </SUP>All vaccinated ferrets were<SUP> </SUP>protected against systemic spread<SUP> </SUP>of homologous virus, which<SUP> </SUP>was not detected in<SUP> </SUP>any organ tested.<SUP> </SUP>
All vaccine<SUP> </SUP>regimens were effective in<SUP> </SUP>reducing A/HK/213/03 (H5N1) influenza<SUP> </SUP>virus replication in the<SUP> </SUP>upper respiratory tract. No<SUP> </SUP>statistically significant difference was<SUP> </SUP>observed between virus titers<SUP> </SUP>after the various regimens.<SUP> </SUP>Even a single vaccination<SUP> </SUP>with 7
g of<SUP> </SUP>HA appeared to be<SUP> </SUP>sufficient to block virus<SUP> </SUP>replication in the nasal<SUP> </SUP>cavities of ferrets. The<SUP> </SUP>2-dose schedule was superior<SUP> </SUP>in reducing clinical signs<SUP> </SUP>of illness and completely<SUP> </SUP>inhibited virus spread to<SUP> </SUP>the internal organs.<SUP> </SUP>
Cross-reactivity of antibodies induced by rgHK213/03xPR8 (H5N1) vaccine. To determine<SUP> </SUP>whether the schedule of<SUP> </SUP>vaccination affected the extent<SUP> </SUP>of cross-reactivity, we measured<SUP> </SUP>serum antibody responses in<SUP> </SUP>ferrets, after vaccination with<SUP> </SUP>rgHK213/03xPR8 vaccine, to 2<SUP> </SUP>H5N1 viruses (A/HK/156/97 and<SUP> </SUP>A/Vietnam/1203/04). Antigenic analysis with<SUP> </SUP>a panel of polyclonal<SUP> </SUP>antisera and MAbs revealed<SUP> </SUP>that these 2 H5N1<SUP> </SUP>viruses were antigenically distinct<SUP> </SUP>from the vaccine strain<SUP> </SUP>(table 3). The H5N1 strain<SUP> </SUP>that appeared in 2004<SUP> </SUP>did not react with<SUP> </SUP>reference antiserum against A/tern/S.Africa/61<SUP> </SUP>and possessed low reactivity<SUP> </SUP>with other sera. The<SUP> </SUP>reactivity of the viruses<SUP> </SUP>to a panel of<SUP> </SUP>H5 MAbs also differed:<SUP> </SUP>influenza A/HK/213/03 virus was<SUP> </SUP>recognized by 7 of<SUP> </SUP>8 MAbs, whereas A/HK/156/97<SUP> </SUP>and A/Vietnam/1203/04 viruses were<SUP> </SUP>recognized by 4 and<SUP> </SUP>5 MAbs, respectively (table 3).<SUP> </SUP>
<TABLE cellSpacing=10><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=middle>
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>[FONT=helvetica, arial][SIZE=-1]Table 3. [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]Antigenic<SUP> </SUP>analysis of vaccine and<SUP> </SUP>challenge H5N1 influenza viruses.[/SIZE][/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> The<SUP> </SUP>anti-HA and virus-neutralizing antibody<SUP> </SUP>responses to vaccine and<SUP> </SUP>heterologous viruses induced after<SUP> </SUP>immunization of ferrets with<SUP> </SUP>rgHK213/03xPR8 vaccine are shown<SUP> </SUP>in figure 2. After immunization<SUP> </SUP>of ferrets with 1<SUP> </SUP>dose of adjuvanted vaccine<SUP> </SUP>(both 7 and 15<SUP> </SUP>
g of HA), the<SUP> </SUP>mean HI titers against<SUP> </SUP>A/HK/156/97 virus were similar<SUP> </SUP>to those against the<SUP> </SUP>vaccine strain (figure 2A). The<SUP> </SUP>second dose of vaccine<SUP> </SUP>without adjuvant increased the<SUP> </SUP>mean HI titer against<SUP> </SUP>the vaccine strain but<SUP> </SUP>did not affect titers<SUP> </SUP>against the A/HK/156/97 strain.<SUP> </SUP>In contrast, the mean<SUP> </SUP>titers of virus-neutralizing antibodies<SUP> </SUP>against A/HK/156/97 virus were<SUP> </SUP>substantially lower than those<SUP> </SUP>against the vaccine strain<SUP> </SUP>after 1 dose of<SUP> </SUP>either adjuvanted or nonadjuvanted<SUP> </SUP>vaccine, but the titer<SUP> </SUP>was significantly increased by<SUP> </SUP>a booster dose of<SUP> </SUP>vaccine without adjuvant (figure 2B).<SUP> </SUP>Tests for serum antibodies<SUP> </SUP>against A/Vietnam/1203/04 showed dramatic<SUP> </SUP>results. There were no<SUP> </SUP>detectable HI or virus-neutralizing<SUP> </SUP>antibodies against this virus<SUP> </SUP>after 1 dose of<SUP> </SUP>vaccine, with or without<SUP> </SUP>adjuvant (figure 2). Only a<SUP> </SUP>second dose of vaccine<SUP> </SUP>resulted in measurable mean<SUP> </SUP>HI and virus-neutralizing antibody<SUP> </SUP>titers against A/Vietnam/1203/04 virus,<SUP> </SUP>although some vaccinated ferrets<SUP> </SUP>had no detectable antibodies.<SUP> </SUP>
<TABLE cellSpacing=10><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=middle>
[SIZE=-1](71 kB)[/SIZE]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>[FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]Figure 2. [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]Cross-reactivity<SUP> </SUP>of serum antibodies induced<SUP> </SUP>in ferrets by 1<SUP> </SUP>or 2 doses of<SUP> </SUP>rgHK213/03xPR8 (H5N1) vaccine. Hemagglutination<SUP> </SUP>inhibition (HI) (A) and<SUP> </SUP>neutralizing-antibody (B) titers in<SUP> </SUP>ferret serum after vaccination<SUP> </SUP>are shown. Samples were<SUP> </SUP>obtained 4 weeks after<SUP> </SUP>a single dose of<SUP> </SUP>vaccine and 3 weeks<SUP> </SUP>and 1 week, respectively,<SUP> </SUP>after the first and<SUP> </SUP>second doses of a<SUP> </SUP>2-dose vaccination regimen. HI<SUP> </SUP>titers are expressed as<SUP> </SUP>the reciprocal of the<SUP> </SUP>highest dilution of serum<SUP> </SUP>(log<SUB>2</SUB>) that inhibited the<SUP> </SUP>hemagglutination of 4 hemagglutinin<SUP> </SUP>(HA) units of virus.<SUP> </SUP>Neutralizing-antibody titers are expressed<SUP> </SUP>as the reciprocal of<SUP> </SUP>the highest dilution of<SUP> </SUP>serum (log<SUB>2</SUB>) that neutralized<SUP> </SUP>100 TCID<SUB>50</SUB> of virus-infected<SUP> </SUP>MDCK cells. Data are<SUP> </SUP>mean ? SD titers.[/SIZE][/FONT]
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> Protection against challenge with antigenically distinct H5N1 influenza viruses. A vaccine<SUP> </SUP>that provides cross-protection within<SUP> </SUP>an HA subtype could<SUP> </SUP>be stockpiled for use<SUP> </SUP>in a pandemic until<SUP> </SUP>a vaccine antigenically matching<SUP> </SUP>the pandemic virus is<SUP> </SUP>available. To determine the<SUP> </SUP>extent of cross-protection induced<SUP> </SUP>by rgHK213/03xPR8 (H5N1) vaccine,<SUP> </SUP>we challenged vaccinated ferrets<SUP> </SUP>with H5N1 viruses that<SUP> </SUP>were antigenically and genetically<SUP> </SUP>distinct from the vaccine<SUP> </SUP>strain. All 4 unvaccinated<SUP> </SUP>ferrets inoculated with 10<SUP>6</SUP><SUP> </SUP>EID<SUB>50</SUB> of A/HK/156/97 virus<SUP> </SUP>survived but showed signs<SUP> </SUP>of disease. All had<SUP> </SUP>fever for 7 days<SUP> </SUP>after inoculation; the maximum<SUP> </SUP>temperature increase (mean, 1.6?C)<SUP> </SUP>(table 4) was observed on<SUP> </SUP>day 3 after challenge.<SUP> </SUP>Ferrets in the control<SUP> </SUP>group lost 5.9% of<SUP> </SUP>their initial weight and<SUP> </SUP>were shedding virus at<SUP> </SUP>titers of 4.0?7.0 log<SUB>10</SUB><SUP> </SUP>EID<SUB>50</SUB>/mL on days 3<SUP> </SUP>and 5 after inoculation<SUP> </SUP>(figure 3A). Vaccinated ferrets were<SUP> </SUP>protected against virus challenge,<SUP> </SUP>although ferrets that received<SUP> </SUP>a single dose of<SUP> </SUP>7
g of HA<SUP> </SUP>showed minor clinical signs,<SUP> </SUP>and 1 had fever<SUP> </SUP>and weight loss (table 4).<SUP> </SUP>Greater protection was observed<SUP> </SUP>with 2 doses of<SUP> </SUP>vaccine: no clinical signs<SUP> </SUP>were observed, and virus<SUP> </SUP>replication in the upper<SUP> </SUP>respiratory tract was reduced<SUP> </SUP>significantly, compared with that<SUP> </SUP>in control ferrets (P<SUP> </SUP>< .05) (figure 3A).<SUP> </SUP>
<TABLE cellSpacing=10><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=middle>
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>[FONT=helvetica, arial][SIZE=-1]Table 4. [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]Cross protection<SUP> </SUP>of rgHK/213/03xPR8 (H5N1)?vaccinated ferrets<SUP> </SUP>against challenge with antigenically<SUP> </SUP>distinct H5N1 influenza viruses.[/SIZE][/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=10><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=middle>
[SIZE=-1](74 kB)[/SIZE]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>[FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]Figure 3. [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]Virus<SUP> </SUP>titers in the upper<SUP> </SUP>respiratory tracts of vaccinated<SUP> </SUP>and control ferrets after<SUP> </SUP>challenge with heterologous H5N1<SUP> </SUP>influenza viruses. Groups of<SUP> </SUP>3 or 4 ferrets<SUP> </SUP>vaccinated with rgHK213/03xPR8 (H5N1)<SUP> </SUP>vaccine and control ferrets<SUP> </SUP>were inoculated intranasally with<SUP> </SUP>10<SUP>6</SUP> EID<SUB>50</SUB> of A/HK/156/97<SUP> </SUP>(H5N1) virus (A) or<SUP> </SUP>A/Vietnam/1203/04 (H5N1) virus (B).<SUP> </SUP>Nasal washes were collected<SUP> </SUP>on days 3, 5,<SUP> </SUP>and 7 after virus<SUP> </SUP>inoculation. Data are the<SUP> </SUP>mean ? SD virus titers<SUP> </SUP>(log<SUB>10</SUB> EID<SUB>50</SUB>/mL) on the<SUP> </SUP>indicated day. *P <<SUP> </SUP>.05, vs. virus titers<SUP> </SUP>in the control group<SUP> </SUP>(2-tailed t test).[/SIZE][/FONT]
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> All 3<SUP> </SUP>unvaccinated ferrets inoculated with<SUP> </SUP>influenza A/Vietnam/1203/04 virus died.<SUP> </SUP>All had fever, lost<SUP> </SUP>
20.5% of their initial<SUP> </SUP>body weight, were extremely<SUP> </SUP>lethargic, and showed neurological<SUP> </SUP>signs of disease (hindlimb<SUP> </SUP>paresis); these ferrets were<SUP> </SUP>killed on day 6<SUP> </SUP>or 7 after virus<SUP> </SUP>inoculation. Importantly, no deaths<SUP> </SUP>were observed in vaccinated<SUP> </SUP>ferrets after challenge with<SUP> </SUP>A/Vietnam/1203/04 virus (table 4). There<SUP> </SUP>was a dose-dependent effect<SUP> </SUP>in the protective efficacy<SUP> </SUP>of the single-dose vaccine.<SUP> </SUP>Fever and weight loss<SUP> </SUP>were observed only in<SUP> </SUP>ferrets that received the<SUP> </SUP>lower single dose for<SUP> </SUP>6 and 14 days,<SUP> </SUP>respectively, and virus replication<SUP> </SUP>in the upper respiratory<SUP> </SUP>tract was observed on<SUP> </SUP>days 3 and 5<SUP> </SUP>after inoculation, although no<SUP> </SUP>ferrets died. After vaccination<SUP> </SUP>with a single dose<SUP> </SUP>of 15
g of<SUP> </SUP>HA, ferrets showed decreased<SUP> </SUP>activity (table 4), and virus<SUP> </SUP>was cleared by day<SUP> </SUP>5 after challenge (figure 3B).<SUP> </SUP>Although protection against lethal<SUP> </SUP>challenge with A/Vietnam/1203/04 (H5N1)<SUP> </SUP>virus was achieved with<SUP> </SUP>all 3 vaccine regimens<SUP> </SUP>tested, 2 doses of<SUP> </SUP>nonadjuvanted vaccine and a<SUP> </SUP>single dose of 15<SUP> </SUP>
g of HA with<SUP> </SUP>adjuvant were the most<SUP> </SUP>beneficial.<SUP> </SUP>
[FONT=helvetica, arial][SIZE=+1]DISCUSSION<SUP> </SUP>[/SIZE][/FONT]
We evaluated the immunogenicity<SUP> </SUP>and cross-protective efficacy of<SUP> </SUP>an H5N1 influenza vaccine,<SUP> </SUP>generated by reverse genetics,<SUP> </SUP>that possessed HA and<SUP> </SUP>NA genes from the<SUP> </SUP>A/HK/213/03 human virus in<SUP> </SUP>the genetic background of<SUP> </SUP>the high-yield strain A/PR/8/34<SUP> </SUP>[16]. This is the<SUP> </SUP>first study in the<SUP> </SUP>ferret model, to our<SUP> </SUP>knowledge, to characterize the<SUP> </SUP>cross-reactive immunity induced by<SUP> </SUP>an H5N1 vaccine and<SUP> </SUP>to evaluate its protectiveness<SUP> </SUP>against both homologous and<SUP> </SUP>antigenically distinct viruses.<SUP> </SUP>
Although a<SUP> </SUP>single dose of vaccine<SUP> </SUP>is presently used for<SUP> </SUP>immunization of adults, our<SUP> </SUP>findings confirmed that a<SUP> </SUP>2-dose regimen is preferable<SUP> </SUP>for vaccination of an<SUP> </SUP>immunologically naive population against<SUP> </SUP>a novel H5N1 strain.<SUP> </SUP>The second dose of<SUP> </SUP>vaccine significantly increased serum<SUP> </SUP>antibody production and conferred<SUP> </SUP>complete protection against challenge<SUP> </SUP>with a high dose<SUP> </SUP>of the homologous H5N1<SUP> </SUP>virus. This observation is<SUP> </SUP>consistent with the findings<SUP> </SUP>of clinical trials in<SUP> </SUP>which 2-dose regimens of<SUP> </SUP>candidate H5N3, H2N2, and<SUP> </SUP>H9N2 influenza vaccines induced<SUP> </SUP>a superior response in<SUP> </SUP>unprimed populations [12, 25].<SUP> </SUP>The dose-dependent effect we<SUP> </SUP>observed in the induction<SUP> </SUP>of neutralizing antibodies and<SUP> </SUP>the reduction of clinical<SUP> </SUP>signs of illness suggested<SUP> </SUP>that an increased dosage<SUP> </SUP>of antigen offers better<SUP> </SUP>protection. However, in the<SUP> </SUP>event of an influenza<SUP> </SUP>pandemic, there is likely<SUP> </SUP>to be a significant<SUP> </SUP>gap between vaccine production<SUP> </SUP>capacity and demand. Therefore,<SUP> </SUP>the use of adjuvanted<SUP> </SUP>vaccines, mucosal adjuvants, or<SUP> </SUP>immunostimulating complexes to enhance<SUP> </SUP>immune stimulation is considered<SUP> </SUP>prudent [26, 27]. Adjuvanted<SUP> </SUP>vaccines have only recently<SUP> </SUP>been licensed and are<SUP> </SUP>not widely available, and<SUP> </SUP>there is uncertainty about<SUP> </SUP>the safety of some<SUP> </SUP>adjuvants in humans, although<SUP> </SUP>that excludes vaccines containing<SUP> </SUP>aluminum adjuvants [9, 25].<SUP> </SUP>
There<SUP> </SUP>is still limited information<SUP> </SUP>available on the extrapulmonary<SUP> </SUP>replication of H5N1 influenza<SUP> </SUP>viruses in humans, with<SUP> </SUP>respect to high mortality<SUP> </SUP>rates observed in documented<SUP> </SUP>human infections in 2004<SUP> </SUP>[5]. Virus isolation from<SUP> </SUP>cerebrospinal fluid, fecal, throat,<SUP> </SUP>and serum specimens [3]<SUP> </SUP>underlines that the clinical<SUP> </SUP>spectrum of influenza H5N1<SUP> </SUP>is wider than previously<SUP> </SUP>thought. The lethality and<SUP> </SUP>marked neurotropism of some<SUP> </SUP>1997 and 2004 virus<SUP> </SUP>isolates have also been<SUP> </SUP>reported in the mouse<SUP> </SUP>and ferret models [21,<SUP> </SUP>28, 29]. Because of<SUP> </SUP>this lethality, the primary<SUP> </SUP>goal of a pandemic<SUP> </SUP>influenza vaccine must be<SUP> </SUP>to prevent death and<SUP> </SUP>not necessarily to prevent<SUP> </SUP>infection. This distinction between<SUP> </SUP>requirements for annual and<SUP> </SUP>pandemic immunization is an<SUP> </SUP>important point in influenza<SUP> </SUP>vaccine development. In our<SUP> </SUP>study, 2 doses of<SUP> </SUP>rgHK213/03xPR8 vaccine completely prevented<SUP> </SUP>the spread of homologous<SUP> </SUP>virus to lung and<SUP> </SUP>brain. However, additional studies<SUP> </SUP>with challenge viruses of<SUP> </SUP>different pathogenicity and, more<SUP> </SUP>importantly, different neurotropism are<SUP> </SUP>needed.<SUP> </SUP>
One desirable feature of<SUP> </SUP>a pandemic vaccine is<SUP> </SUP>the ability to induce<SUP> </SUP>cross-reactive immune responses sufficient<SUP> </SUP>to protect against variants<SUP> </SUP>that have undergone antigenic<SUP> </SUP>drift. Our vaccine was<SUP> </SUP>tested against H5N1 viruses<SUP> </SUP>with substantial antigenic differences.<SUP> </SUP>Phylogenetic analysis of the<SUP> </SUP>H5 HA genes showed<SUP> </SUP>that all 3 H5N1<SUP> </SUP>viruses used in the<SUP> </SUP>study belonged to different<SUP> </SUP>clades [30]. Sequence analysis<SUP> </SUP>revealed that the HA1<SUP> </SUP>regions of A/HK/156/97 and<SUP> </SUP>A/Vietnam/1203/04 viruses differ from<SUP> </SUP>those of the vaccine<SUP> </SUP>strain by 18 and<SUP> </SUP>10 aa, respectively [28,<SUP> </SUP>31]. Most of these<SUP> </SUP>amino acids are located<SUP> </SUP>on the tip of<SUP> </SUP>the HA molecule, the<SUP> </SUP>primary target for neutralizing<SUP> </SUP>antibodies [32]. Nevertheless, we<SUP> </SUP>were able to demonstrate<SUP> </SUP>the induction of cross-reactive<SUP> </SUP>antibodies after vaccination of<SUP> </SUP>immunologically naive ferrets with<SUP> </SUP>2 doses of rgHK213/03xPR8<SUP> </SUP>(H5N1) vaccine. These results<SUP> </SUP>suggest that 2 doses<SUP> </SUP>of vaccine will be<SUP> </SUP>the optimal strategy for<SUP> </SUP>a pandemic influenza vaccine.<SUP> </SUP>
Surprisingly,<SUP> </SUP>ferrets that had almost<SUP> </SUP>no detectable antibodies against<SUP> </SUP>A/Vietnam/1203/04 virus were protected<SUP> </SUP>against lethal challenge with<SUP> </SUP>that virus. We consider<SUP> </SUP>that compromised sensitivity of<SUP> </SUP>the serological assay can<SUP> </SUP>lead to underestimation of<SUP> </SUP>the levels of antibodies.<SUP> </SUP>Indeed, in a recent<SUP> </SUP>study [33], we demonstrated<SUP> </SUP>that H5N1 viruses isolated<SUP> </SUP>in 2004 elicited low<SUP> </SUP>levels of detectable HI<SUP> </SUP>antibody responses both after<SUP> </SUP>intranasal inoculation and after<SUP> </SUP>intramuscular vaccination with nonadjuvanted<SUP> </SUP>vaccine and that the<SUP> </SUP>generation of a recombinant<SUP> </SUP>virus with a single<SUP> </SUP>amino acid substitution (S223N)<SUP> </SUP>in HA resulted in<SUP> </SUP>improved detection of anti-HA<SUP> </SUP>antibodies. Protection of the<SUP> </SUP>ferrets by cellular immune<SUP> </SUP>responses could play a<SUP> </SUP>role. The ferrets used<SUP> </SUP>in the study were<SUP> </SUP>seronegative for antibodies against<SUP> </SUP>H5N1 virus but possessed<SUP> </SUP>anti-HA antibodies against the<SUP> </SUP>contemporary human H3N2 influenza<SUP> </SUP>virus. This situation mimics<SUP> </SUP>that in humans, in<SUP> </SUP>which a pandemic vaccine<SUP> </SUP>will be used in<SUP> </SUP>a population primed with<SUP> </SUP>H3N2 viruses. However, it<SUP> </SUP>seems more likely that<SUP> </SUP>T cell responses to<SUP> </SUP>internal proteins of the<SUP> </SUP>H3N2 viruses would not<SUP> </SUP>influence protection, because these<SUP> </SUP>proteins are genetically distinct<SUP> </SUP>from those of H5N1<SUP> </SUP>viruses [34]. Cytotoxic T<SUP> </SUP>lymphocytes (CTLs) play an<SUP> </SUP>important role in the<SUP> </SUP>control of influenza infection<SUP> </SUP>[35]. Alternatively, H5N1-specific CTLs<SUP> </SUP>may have been induced<SUP> </SUP>by vaccination. However, the<SUP> </SUP>extent and significance of<SUP> </SUP>previous cellular immunity in<SUP> </SUP>the protection of ferrets<SUP> </SUP>in our experiments is<SUP> </SUP>unknown, and H3-seropositive control<SUP> </SUP>ferrets were highly susceptible<SUP> </SUP>to infection and disease<SUP> </SUP>with A/Vietnam/1203/04 virus. Although<SUP> </SUP>intramuscular vaccination with an<SUP> </SUP>inactivated influenza vaccine induces<SUP> </SUP>little CTL stimulation in<SUP> </SUP>humans [36], little is<SUP> </SUP>known about the cellular<SUP> </SUP>response in ferrets and<SUP> </SUP>the potential contribution of<SUP> </SUP>cross-priming of antigen-specific CTLs<SUP> </SUP>[37, 38].<SUP> </SUP>
At least 6<SUP> </SUP>months will probably be<SUP> </SUP>required to produce the<SUP> </SUP>first dose of H5N1<SUP> </SUP>vaccine after the virus<SUP> </SUP>strain is identified. Vaccine<SUP> </SUP>availability could be increased<SUP> </SUP>through the stockpiling of<SUP> </SUP>pandemic vaccines and the<SUP> </SUP>development of vaccine virus<SUP> </SUP>libraries. The results of<SUP> </SUP>our study show that<SUP> </SUP>protection can be gained<SUP> </SUP>even when the vaccine<SUP> </SUP>strain does not match<SUP> </SUP>the challenge virus and<SUP> </SUP>that the optimal strategy<SUP> </SUP>for vaccination of immunologically<SUP> </SUP>naive populations will be<SUP> </SUP>the 2-dose regimen, which<SUP> </SUP>induced more cross-reactive antibodies<SUP> </SUP>within the same HA<SUP> </SUP>subtype. Therefore, the strategy<SUP> </SUP>of stockpiling pandemic vaccines<SUP> </SUP>for administration to groups<SUP> </SUP>at high risk offers<SUP> </SUP>promise. Reverse-genetics technology allows<SUP> </SUP>for the rapid generation<SUP> </SUP>of a broad spectrum<SUP> </SUP>of vaccine virus libraries.<SUP> </SUP>Selection of the most<SUP> </SUP>promising vaccine candidate will<SUP> </SUP>require special attention, because<SUP> </SUP>the candidate must not<SUP> </SUP>only carry major antigenic<SUP> </SUP>epitopes of H5 HA<SUP> </SUP>but also be immunogenic.<SUP> </SUP>It should also be<SUP> </SUP>remembered that other influenza<SUP> </SUP>HA subtypes, such as<SUP> </SUP>H2, H9, and H7,<SUP> </SUP>have pandemic potential.<SUP> </SUP>
[FONT=helvetica, arial]Acknowledgments<SUP> </SUP>[/FONT]
We gratefully<SUP> </SUP>acknowledge Christoph Scholtissek for<SUP> </SUP>helpful suggestions; Christie Johnson<SUP> </SUP>and Kelly Jones, for<SUP> </SUP>technical assistance; and Sharon<SUP> </SUP>Naron for excellent editorial<SUP> </SUP>assistance.<SUP> </SUP>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0>[FONT=helvetica, arial]References<SUP> </SUP>[/FONT]
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? 2006 by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved.
0022-1899/2006/19402-0005$15.00[/SIZE]
<HR>
http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/JID/journal/issues/v194n2/35777/35777.html
<TABLE cellPadding=5><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle bgColor=#990000>[FONT=helvetica, arial]MAJOR<SUP> </SUP>ARTICLE[/FONT]</TD><SUP></SUP></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
[SIZE=+2]Immunization<SUP> </SUP>with<SUP> </SUP>Reverse-Genetics?Produced<SUP> </SUP>H5N1<SUP> </SUP>Influenza<SUP> </SUP>Vaccine<SUP> </SUP>Protects<SUP> </SUP>Ferrets<SUP> </SUP>against<SUP> </SUP>Homologous<SUP> </SUP>and<SUP> </SUP>Heterologous<SUP> </SUP>Challenge<SUP></SUP><SUP></SUP><SUP> </SUP>[/SIZE]
[FONT=helvetica, arial][SIZE=-1]Elena A. Govorkova,<SUP>1</SUP><SUP> </SUP>Richard J. Webby,<SUP>1</SUP><SUP> </SUP>Jennifer Humberd,<SUP>1</SUP><SUP> </SUP>Jon P. Seiler,<SUP>1</SUP><SUP> </SUP>and<SUP> </SUP>Robert G. Webster<SUP>1,2</SUP><SUP> </SUP>[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=helvetica, arial][SIZE=-1]<SUP>1</SUP>Department<SUP> </SUP>of<SUP> </SUP>Infectious<SUP> </SUP>Diseases,<SUP> </SUP>St.<SUP> </SUP>Jude<SUP> </SUP>Children's<SUP> </SUP>Research<SUP> </SUP>Hospital,<SUP> </SUP>and<SUP> </SUP><SUP>2</SUP>Department<SUP> </SUP>of<SUP> </SUP>Pathology,<SUP> </SUP>University<SUP> </SUP>of<SUP> </SUP>Tennessee,<SUP> </SUP>Memphis<SUP> </SUP>[/SIZE][/FONT]
<SUP></SUP></B>
[FONT=helvetica, arial][SIZE=-1](See<SUP> </SUP>the editorial commentary by<SUP> </SUP>Hampson, on pages 143?5.)<SUP> </SUP>[/SIZE][/FONT]
<CENTER><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="80%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>
Background. Multiple cases of transmission<SUP> </SUP>of avian H5N1 influenza<SUP> </SUP>viruses to humans illustrate<SUP> </SUP>the urgent need for<SUP> </SUP>an efficacious, cross-protective vaccine.
Methods. Ferrets<SUP> </SUP>were immunized with inactivated<SUP> </SUP>whole-virus vaccine produced by<SUP> </SUP>reverse genetics with the<SUP> </SUP>hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase<SUP> </SUP>genes of A/HK/213/03 virus.<SUP> </SUP>Ferrets received a single<SUP> </SUP>dose of vaccine (7<SUP> </SUP>or 15
Results. One or 2<SUP> </SUP>doses of vaccine induced<SUP> </SUP>a protective antibody response<SUP> </SUP>to the vaccine strain.<SUP> </SUP>All immunization regimens completely<SUP> </SUP>protected ferrets from challenge<SUP> </SUP>with homologous wild-type A/HK/213/03<SUP> </SUP>virus: no clinical signs<SUP> </SUP>of infection were observed,<SUP> </SUP>virus replication was significantly<SUP> </SUP>reduced (P < .05)<SUP> </SUP>and was restricted to<SUP> </SUP>the upper respiratory tract,<SUP> </SUP>and spread of virus<SUP> </SUP>to the brain was<SUP> </SUP>prevented. Importantly, all vaccinated<SUP> </SUP>ferrets were protected against<SUP> </SUP>lethal challenge with the<SUP> </SUP>highly pathogenic strain A/Vietnam/1203/04.<SUP> </SUP>The 2-dose schedule induced<SUP> </SUP>higher levels of antibodies<SUP> </SUP>that were cross-reactive to<SUP> </SUP>antigenically distinct H5N1 viruses.<SUP> </SUP>
Conclusions. H5N1<SUP> </SUP>vaccines may stimulate an<SUP> </SUP>immune response that is<SUP> </SUP>more cross-protective than what<SUP> </SUP>might be predicted by<SUP> </SUP>in vitro assays and,<SUP> </SUP>thus, hold potential for<SUP> </SUP>being stockpiled as "initial"<SUP> </SUP>pandemic vaccines.<SUP> </SUP>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER><HR>
[SIZE=-1] Received 11 October 2005; accepted 7 February 2006; electronically published 9 June 2006.[/SIZE]<SUP> </SUP>
[SIZE=-1] Potential conflicts of<SUP> </SUP>interest: none reported.<SUP> </SUP>
Financial support:<SUP> </SUP>National Institute of Allergy<SUP> </SUP>and Infectious Diseases, National<SUP> </SUP>Institutes of Health (grants<SUP> </SUP>AI-95357 and AI-57570); American<SUP> </SUP>Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities.<SUP> </SUP>[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1] Reprints<SUP> </SUP>or<SUP> </SUP>correspondence:<SUP> </SUP>Dr.<SUP> </SUP>Robert<SUP> </SUP>G.<SUP> </SUP>Webster,<SUP> </SUP>Dept.<SUP> </SUP>of<SUP> </SUP>Infectious<SUP> </SUP>Diseases,<SUP> </SUP>St.<SUP> </SUP>Jude<SUP> </SUP>Children's<SUP> </SUP>Research<SUP> </SUP>Hospital,<SUP> </SUP>332<SUP> </SUP>N.<SUP> </SUP>Lauderdale,<SUP> </SUP>Memphis,<SUP> </SUP>TN<SUP> </SUP>38105-2794<SUP> </SUP>(robert.webster@stjude.org).[/SIZE]
<HR> The<SUP> </SUP>pandemic potential of the<SUP> </SUP>avian H5N1 influenza viruses<SUP> </SUP>for humans is well<SUP> </SUP>documented [1http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/JID/journal/issues/v194n2/35777/35777.text.html#rf2?3]. These viruses<SUP> </SUP>can cause severe disease<SUP> </SUP>in humans, with multiple-organ<SUP> </SUP>failure and death of<SUP> </SUP>the infected individuals [4,<SUP> </SUP>5]. Improvements in biosecurity<SUP> </SUP>in poultry markets [6],<SUP> </SUP>surveillance, and monitoring of<SUP> </SUP>avian-human transmission are important<SUP> </SUP>measures for control of<SUP> </SUP>the emergence of highly<SUP> </SUP>pathogenic viruses. Antiviral drugs<SUP> </SUP>can be helpful at<SUP> </SUP>the early stage of<SUP> </SUP>a pandemic [7], but<SUP> </SUP>vaccination of poultry and<SUP> </SUP>humans is the main<SUP> </SUP>preventive strategy against pandemic<SUP> </SUP>influenza.<SUP> </SUP>
An effective influenza vaccine<SUP> </SUP>is urgently needed as<SUP> </SUP>H5N1 viruses continue to<SUP> </SUP>spread in Asia, not<SUP> </SUP>only causing an increasing<SUP> </SUP>number of human infections<SUP> </SUP>and high mortality rates<SUP> </SUP>[3, 5] but also<SUP> </SUP>showing evidence of probable<SUP> </SUP>human-to-human transmission [8]. Influenza<SUP> </SUP>vaccines based on wild-type<SUP> </SUP>H5N1 virus cannot be<SUP> </SUP>produced on a large<SUP> </SUP>scale, because of high<SUP> </SUP>virus virulence and the<SUP> </SUP>requirements for working under<SUP> </SUP>biosafety level (BSL) 3+<SUP> </SUP>conditions [9]. Vaccines based<SUP> </SUP>on less virulent H5<SUP> </SUP>influenza strains that are<SUP> </SUP>antigenically similar to circulating<SUP> </SUP>strains [10, 11] have<SUP> </SUP>so far been poorly<SUP> </SUP>immunogenic in human trials<SUP> </SUP>[12]. Recombinant hemagglutinin (HA)<SUP> </SUP>proteins and DNA vaccines<SUP> </SUP>have also been explored<SUP> </SUP>[13http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/JID/journal/issues/v194n2/35777/35777.text.html#rf14?15]. Gene-gun?delivered DNA vaccine<SUP> </SUP>encoding H5 HA from<SUP> </SUP>A/HK/156/97 virus provided immunity<SUP> </SUP>against homologous and heterologous<SUP> </SUP>H5N1 infection of mice<SUP> </SUP>[13]. Baculovirus-expressed H5 HA<SUP> </SUP>vaccine was extremely well<SUP> </SUP>tolerated in human trials<SUP> </SUP>but failed to elicit<SUP> </SUP>substantial antibody responses; higher<SUP> </SUP>doses of antigen and/or<SUP> </SUP>addition of adjuvants have<SUP> </SUP>yet to be tested<SUP> </SUP>[15].<SUP> </SUP>
One of the important<SUP> </SUP>requirements for a pandemic<SUP> </SUP>vaccine is availability on<SUP> </SUP>short notice. Reverse-genetics technology<SUP> </SUP>allows the generation of<SUP> </SUP>safe vaccine strains with<SUP> </SUP>known properties and offers<SUP> </SUP>the important advantage of<SUP> </SUP>rapid vaccine preparation, which<SUP> </SUP>could be crucial in<SUP> </SUP>a pandemic [16]. An<SUP> </SUP>inactivated vaccine virus that<SUP> </SUP>has the internal genes<SUP> </SUP>of A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) virus<SUP> </SUP>and the HA and<SUP> </SUP>neuraminidase (NA) genes of<SUP> </SUP>A/HK/491/97 (H5N1) virus has<SUP> </SUP>been found to be<SUP> </SUP>immunogenic and to protect<SUP> </SUP>mice from challenge with<SUP> </SUP>homologous and heterologous H5N1<SUP> </SUP>viruses [17]. The reverse-genetics<SUP> </SUP>approach has also been<SUP> </SUP>used to generate an<SUP> </SUP>effective agricultural H5N3 vaccine<SUP> </SUP>that induced anti-HA antibodies<SUP> </SUP>and prevented death in<SUP> </SUP>chickens [18]. Clinical evaluation<SUP> </SUP>of a candidate H5N1<SUP> </SUP>reverse-genetics vaccine based on<SUP> </SUP>A/Vietnam/1203/04 virus is planned<SUP> </SUP>in the United States<SUP> </SUP>and Europe [9].<SUP> </SUP>
The use<SUP> </SUP>of reverse genetics to<SUP> </SUP>produce influenza vaccines is<SUP> </SUP>still relatively new, and<SUP> </SUP>questions remain about the<SUP> </SUP>safety and immunogenicity of<SUP> </SUP>these vaccines, as well<SUP> </SUP>as what dosage and<SUP> </SUP>regimen are needed to<SUP> </SUP>protect immunologically naive persons<SUP> </SUP>from severe infection. One<SUP> </SUP>of the important questions<SUP> </SUP>for pandemic preparedness is<SUP> </SUP>not only whether the<SUP> </SUP>protective immunity provided by<SUP> </SUP>a vaccine is effective<SUP> </SUP>against viruses that are<SUP> </SUP>antigenically closely matched with<SUP> </SUP>those in the vaccine<SUP> </SUP>but also whether these<SUP> </SUP>vaccines can be effective<SUP> </SUP>against viruses that have<SUP> </SUP>undergone antigenic drift. Cross-protection<SUP> </SUP>within an HA subtype<SUP> </SUP>would allow the use<SUP> </SUP>of a stockpiled vaccine<SUP> </SUP>until a strain-specific vaccine<SUP> </SUP>is available.<SUP> </SUP>
Ferrets are considered<SUP> </SUP>to be the most<SUP> </SUP>suitable animal model for<SUP> </SUP>preclinical evaluation of human<SUP> </SUP>influenza vaccines. In the<SUP> </SUP>present study, we used<SUP> </SUP>this model to assess<SUP> </SUP>the immunogenicity, protective efficacy,<SUP> </SUP>and cross-reactivity of various<SUP> </SUP>regimens of vaccination with<SUP> </SUP>inactivated whole-virus A/HK/213/03xA/PR/8/34 (rgHK213/03xPR8)<SUP> </SUP>influenza vaccine generated by<SUP> </SUP>reverse genetics. Cross-protection was<SUP> </SUP>determined by challenge with<SUP> </SUP>antigenically diverse H5N1 viruses,<SUP> </SUP>including A/HK/156/97 and A/Vietnam/1203/04.<SUP> </SUP>
[FONT=helvetica, arial][SIZE=+1]MATERIALS AND METHODS<SUP> </SUP>[/SIZE][/FONT]
Viruses and cells. The<SUP> </SUP>H5N1 human influenza viruses<SUP> </SUP>A/HK/156/97, A/HK/213/03, and A/Vietnam/1203/04<SUP> </SUP>were obtained from the<SUP> </SUP>World Health Organization influenza<SUP> </SUP>collaborating laboratories. Stock viruses<SUP> </SUP>were propagated in the<SUP> </SUP>allantoic cavities of 10-day-old<SUP> </SUP>embryonated chicken eggs at<SUP> </SUP>35?C for 36 h<SUP> </SUP>and stored at -70?C.<SUP> </SUP>All experiments with highly<SUP> </SUP>pathogenic viruses were conducted<SUP> </SUP>in a BSL 3+<SUP> </SUP>containment facility approved for<SUP> </SUP>use by the US<SUP> </SUP>Department of Agriculture and<SUP> </SUP>the US Centers for<SUP> </SUP>Disease Control and Prevention.<SUP> </SUP>MDCK cells were obtained<SUP> </SUP>from the American Type<SUP> </SUP>Culture Collection and were<SUP> </SUP>grown in MEM supplemented<SUP> </SUP>with 5% fetal calf<SUP> </SUP>serum in a humidified<SUP> </SUP>atmosphere of 5% CO<SUB>2</SUB>.<SUP> </SUP>
Antigenic analysis. The<SUP> </SUP>antigenic characterization of the<SUP> </SUP>H5N1 viruses was performed<SUP> </SUP>by the hemagglutination inhibition<SUP> </SUP>(HI) test with a<SUP> </SUP>panel of polyclonal antisera<SUP> </SUP>and monoclonal antibodies (MAbs)<SUP> </SUP>against H5 HA. MAbs<SUP> </SUP>were prepared using a<SUP> </SUP>modification of the method<SUP> </SUP>described elsewhere [19].<SUP> </SUP>
Generation of the candidate vaccine. Recombinant virus<SUP> </SUP>containing the HA and<SUP> </SUP>NA genes of A/HK/213/03<SUP> </SUP>(H5N1) influenza virus in<SUP> </SUP>the background of the<SUP> </SUP>A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) virus was<SUP> </SUP>generated and rescued in<SUP> </SUP>Vero cells certified for<SUP> </SUP>vaccine production at the<SUP> </SUP>St. Jude Children's Research<SUP> </SUP>Hospital under good manufacturing<SUP> </SUP>practice conditions [16]. The<SUP> </SUP>vaccine strain was propagated<SUP> </SUP>in eggs at 37?C<SUP> </SUP>for 48 h, and<SUP> </SUP>virus-containing allantoic fluid was<SUP> </SUP>inactivated by use of<SUP> </SUP>
Immunization and challenge. Young<SUP> </SUP>adult ferrets 4?6 months<SUP> </SUP>of age and seronegative<SUP> </SUP>for currently circulating influenza<SUP> </SUP>A H1N1 and H5N1<SUP> </SUP>and influenza B viruses<SUP> </SUP>were obtained from Marshall<SUP> </SUP>Farms or the breeding<SUP> </SUP>program at St. Jude<SUP> </SUP>Children's Research Hospital. More<SUP> </SUP>than 90% of ferrets<SUP> </SUP>had HI titers (1 : 20<SUP> </SUP>to 1 : 160) against A/Panama/2007/99<SUP> </SUP>(H3N2) virus obtained through<SUP> </SUP>natural infection. Groups of<SUP> </SUP>3 or 4 ferrets<SUP> </SUP>were vaccinated intramuscularly on<SUP> </SUP>2 schedules: (1) with<SUP> </SUP>1 dose of inactivated<SUP> </SUP>vaccine containing 7 or<SUP> </SUP>15
Nasal washes and tissue samples. On days 3, 5,<SUP> </SUP>and 7 after virus<SUP> </SUP>inoculation, ferrets were anesthetized<SUP> </SUP>with ketamine (25 mg/kg)<SUP> </SUP>and nasal washes were<SUP> </SUP>collected. Lung, brain, olfactory<SUP> </SUP>bulb, and intestinal tissues<SUP> </SUP>were collected from groups<SUP> </SUP>of 2 ferrets vaccinated<SUP> </SUP>with 2 doses of<SUP> </SUP>vaccine and inoculated with<SUP> </SUP>A/HK/213/03 virus, as described<SUP> </SUP>elsewhere [21]. Virus was<SUP> </SUP>titrated in eggs and<SUP> </SUP>expressed as log<SUB>10</SUB> EID<SUB>50</SUB><SUP> </SUP>per milliliter or gram,<SUP> </SUP>as calculated by the<SUP> </SUP>method of Reed and<SUP> </SUP>Muench [22]. The limit<SUP> </SUP>of virus detection was<SUP> </SUP><0.75 log<SUB>10</SUB> EID<SUB>50</SUB>/mL. Virus<SUP> </SUP>titers were compared by<SUP> </SUP>a 2-tailed t test.<SUP> </SUP>
Serologic testing. Serum<SUP> </SUP>samples were obtained 3<SUP> </SUP>weeks after the first<SUP> </SUP>dose and 1 week<SUP> </SUP>after the second dose<SUP> </SUP>of vaccine or 4<SUP> </SUP>weeks after a single<SUP> </SUP>dose. Serum samples were<SUP> </SUP>treated with receptor-destroying enzyme,<SUP> </SUP>heat inactivated at 56?C<SUP> </SUP>for 30 min, treated<SUP> </SUP>with packed chicken red<SUP> </SUP>blood cells (CRBCs), and<SUP> </SUP>tested by HI assay<SUP> </SUP>with 0.5% CRBCs. Anti-NA<SUP> </SUP>antibodies were assayed by<SUP> </SUP>the standard method, with<SUP> </SUP>fetuin (50
[FONT=helvetica, arial][SIZE=+1]RESULTS<SUP> </SUP>[/SIZE][/FONT]
Immunogenicity of rgHK213/03xPR8 (H5N1) influenza vaccine. We tested the<SUP> </SUP>serum antibody response of<SUP> </SUP>ferrets to various regimens<SUP> </SUP>of vaccination with rgHK213/03xPR8.<SUP> </SUP>After a single dose<SUP> </SUP>of either 7 or<SUP> </SUP>15
<TABLE cellSpacing=10><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=middle>
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>[FONT=helvetica, arial][SIZE=-1]Table 1. [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]Serum<SUP> </SUP>antibody response in ferrets<SUP> </SUP>after vaccination with rgHK213/03xPR8<SUP> </SUP>(H5N1) vaccine.[/SIZE][/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> The presence of<SUP> </SUP>adjuvant did not affect<SUP> </SUP>the level of anti-HA<SUP> </SUP>antibodies in postvaccination serum,<SUP> </SUP>although it did increase<SUP> </SUP>the mean titer of<SUP> </SUP>virus-neutralizing antibodies (table 1). A<SUP> </SUP>large increase in the<SUP> </SUP>mean anti-HA antibody titer<SUP> </SUP>was observed after booster<SUP> </SUP>immunization. A second dose<SUP> </SUP>of vaccine also increased<SUP> </SUP>the mean titers of<SUP> </SUP>anti-NA antibodies (by a<SUP> </SUP>factor of
Protection against challenge with homologous virus. After vaccination, ferrets<SUP> </SUP>were challenged with 10<SUP>6</SUP><SUP> </SUP>EID<SUB>50</SUB> of the wild-type<SUP> </SUP>A/HK/213/03 (H5N1) virus. Ferrets<SUP> </SUP>in the unvaccinated control<SUP> </SUP>group (n = 4)<SUP> </SUP>showed lethargy (n =<SUP> </SUP>2), respiratory symptoms (n<SUP> </SUP>= 2), fever (n<SUP> </SUP>= 4; range, 38?C?41?C)<SUP> </SUP>(figure 1A), and weight loss<SUP> </SUP>(n = 4). On<SUP> </SUP>day 6 after inoculation,<SUP> </SUP>the ferrets had lost<SUP> </SUP>4%?12% of their initial<SUP> </SUP>weight (figure 1B). One of<SUP> </SUP>3 ferrets that received<SUP> </SUP>a single dose of<SUP> </SUP>7
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[SIZE=-1](91 kB)[/SIZE]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>[FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]Figure 1. [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]Change in body temperature<SUP> </SUP>(A) and weight (B)<SUP> </SUP>of vaccinated and control<SUP> </SUP>ferrets after challenge with<SUP> </SUP>homologous A/HK/213/03 (H5N1) virus.<SUP> </SUP>Groups of 3 or<SUP> </SUP>4 ferrets either were<SUP> </SUP>vaccinated with a single<SUP> </SUP>dose (7 or 15<SUP> </SUP>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> To compare the<SUP> </SUP>efficacy of the vaccination<SUP> </SUP>regimens in inhibiting virus<SUP> </SUP>replication in the upper<SUP> </SUP>respiratory tract, we collected<SUP> </SUP>nasal washes on days<SUP> </SUP>3, 5, and 7<SUP> </SUP>after inoculation with A/HK/213/03<SUP> </SUP>virus (table 2). Unvaccinated control<SUP> </SUP>ferrets shed virus at<SUP> </SUP>mean titers of 5.3<SUP> </SUP>log<SUB>10</SUB> EID<SUB>50</SUB>/mL on day<SUP> </SUP>3 and 5.2 log<SUB>10</SUB><SUP> </SUP>EID<SUB>50</SUB>/mL on day 5.<SUP> </SUP>Ferrets that received a<SUP> </SUP>single dose of 7<SUP> </SUP>
<TABLE cellSpacing=10><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=middle>
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>[FONT=helvetica, arial][SIZE=-1]Table 2. [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]Efficacy of<SUP> </SUP>rgHK213/03xPR8 (H5N1) vaccine in<SUP> </SUP>reducing virus replication in<SUP> </SUP>the upper respiratory tracts<SUP> </SUP>of ferrets after homologous<SUP> </SUP>virus (A/HK/213/03 [H5N1]) challenge.[/SIZE][/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> We<SUP> </SUP>tested the efficacy of<SUP> </SUP>the 2-dose vaccination in<SUP> </SUP>inhibiting the spread of<SUP> </SUP>homologous A/HK/213/03 (H5N1) virus<SUP> </SUP>to organs. In control<SUP> </SUP>ferrets, virus titers on<SUP> </SUP>day 3 after inoculation<SUP> </SUP>were 5.8 and 6.8<SUP> </SUP>log<SUB>10</SUB> EID<SUB>50</SUB>/g in lung<SUP> </SUP>(2/2 ferrets), 2.5 log<SUB>10</SUB><SUP> </SUP>EID<SUB>50</SUB>/g in brain (1/2<SUP> </SUP>ferrets), and 1.3 and<SUP> </SUP>3.0 log<SUB>10</SUB>EID<SUB>50</SUB>/g in the<SUP> </SUP>olfactory bulb (2/2 ferrets).<SUP> </SUP>All vaccinated ferrets were<SUP> </SUP>protected against systemic spread<SUP> </SUP>of homologous virus, which<SUP> </SUP>was not detected in<SUP> </SUP>any organ tested.<SUP> </SUP>All vaccine<SUP> </SUP>regimens were effective in<SUP> </SUP>reducing A/HK/213/03 (H5N1) influenza<SUP> </SUP>virus replication in the<SUP> </SUP>upper respiratory tract. No<SUP> </SUP>statistically significant difference was<SUP> </SUP>observed between virus titers<SUP> </SUP>after the various regimens.<SUP> </SUP>Even a single vaccination<SUP> </SUP>with 7
Cross-reactivity of antibodies induced by rgHK213/03xPR8 (H5N1) vaccine. To determine<SUP> </SUP>whether the schedule of<SUP> </SUP>vaccination affected the extent<SUP> </SUP>of cross-reactivity, we measured<SUP> </SUP>serum antibody responses in<SUP> </SUP>ferrets, after vaccination with<SUP> </SUP>rgHK213/03xPR8 vaccine, to 2<SUP> </SUP>H5N1 viruses (A/HK/156/97 and<SUP> </SUP>A/Vietnam/1203/04). Antigenic analysis with<SUP> </SUP>a panel of polyclonal<SUP> </SUP>antisera and MAbs revealed<SUP> </SUP>that these 2 H5N1<SUP> </SUP>viruses were antigenically distinct<SUP> </SUP>from the vaccine strain<SUP> </SUP>(table 3). The H5N1 strain<SUP> </SUP>that appeared in 2004<SUP> </SUP>did not react with<SUP> </SUP>reference antiserum against A/tern/S.Africa/61<SUP> </SUP>and possessed low reactivity<SUP> </SUP>with other sera. The<SUP> </SUP>reactivity of the viruses<SUP> </SUP>to a panel of<SUP> </SUP>H5 MAbs also differed:<SUP> </SUP>influenza A/HK/213/03 virus was<SUP> </SUP>recognized by 7 of<SUP> </SUP>8 MAbs, whereas A/HK/156/97<SUP> </SUP>and A/Vietnam/1203/04 viruses were<SUP> </SUP>recognized by 4 and<SUP> </SUP>5 MAbs, respectively (table 3).<SUP> </SUP>
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</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>[FONT=helvetica, arial][SIZE=-1]Table 3. [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]Antigenic<SUP> </SUP>analysis of vaccine and<SUP> </SUP>challenge H5N1 influenza viruses.[/SIZE][/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> The<SUP> </SUP>anti-HA and virus-neutralizing antibody<SUP> </SUP>responses to vaccine and<SUP> </SUP>heterologous viruses induced after<SUP> </SUP>immunization of ferrets with<SUP> </SUP>rgHK213/03xPR8 vaccine are shown<SUP> </SUP>in figure 2. After immunization<SUP> </SUP>of ferrets with 1<SUP> </SUP>dose of adjuvanted vaccine<SUP> </SUP>(both 7 and 15<SUP> </SUP>
<TABLE cellSpacing=10><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=middle>

[SIZE=-1](71 kB)[/SIZE]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>[FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]Figure 2. [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]Cross-reactivity<SUP> </SUP>of serum antibodies induced<SUP> </SUP>in ferrets by 1<SUP> </SUP>or 2 doses of<SUP> </SUP>rgHK213/03xPR8 (H5N1) vaccine. Hemagglutination<SUP> </SUP>inhibition (HI) (A) and<SUP> </SUP>neutralizing-antibody (B) titers in<SUP> </SUP>ferret serum after vaccination<SUP> </SUP>are shown. Samples were<SUP> </SUP>obtained 4 weeks after<SUP> </SUP>a single dose of<SUP> </SUP>vaccine and 3 weeks<SUP> </SUP>and 1 week, respectively,<SUP> </SUP>after the first and<SUP> </SUP>second doses of a<SUP> </SUP>2-dose vaccination regimen. HI<SUP> </SUP>titers are expressed as<SUP> </SUP>the reciprocal of the<SUP> </SUP>highest dilution of serum<SUP> </SUP>(log<SUB>2</SUB>) that inhibited the<SUP> </SUP>hemagglutination of 4 hemagglutinin<SUP> </SUP>(HA) units of virus.<SUP> </SUP>Neutralizing-antibody titers are expressed<SUP> </SUP>as the reciprocal of<SUP> </SUP>the highest dilution of<SUP> </SUP>serum (log<SUB>2</SUB>) that neutralized<SUP> </SUP>100 TCID<SUB>50</SUB> of virus-infected<SUP> </SUP>MDCK cells. Data are<SUP> </SUP>mean ? SD titers.[/SIZE][/FONT]
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> Protection against challenge with antigenically distinct H5N1 influenza viruses. A vaccine<SUP> </SUP>that provides cross-protection within<SUP> </SUP>an HA subtype could<SUP> </SUP>be stockpiled for use<SUP> </SUP>in a pandemic until<SUP> </SUP>a vaccine antigenically matching<SUP> </SUP>the pandemic virus is<SUP> </SUP>available. To determine the<SUP> </SUP>extent of cross-protection induced<SUP> </SUP>by rgHK213/03xPR8 (H5N1) vaccine,<SUP> </SUP>we challenged vaccinated ferrets<SUP> </SUP>with H5N1 viruses that<SUP> </SUP>were antigenically and genetically<SUP> </SUP>distinct from the vaccine<SUP> </SUP>strain. All 4 unvaccinated<SUP> </SUP>ferrets inoculated with 10<SUP>6</SUP><SUP> </SUP>EID<SUB>50</SUB> of A/HK/156/97 virus<SUP> </SUP>survived but showed signs<SUP> </SUP>of disease. All had<SUP> </SUP>fever for 7 days<SUP> </SUP>after inoculation; the maximum<SUP> </SUP>temperature increase (mean, 1.6?C)<SUP> </SUP>(table 4) was observed on<SUP> </SUP>day 3 after challenge.<SUP> </SUP>Ferrets in the control<SUP> </SUP>group lost 5.9% of<SUP> </SUP>their initial weight and<SUP> </SUP>were shedding virus at<SUP> </SUP>titers of 4.0?7.0 log<SUB>10</SUB><SUP> </SUP>EID<SUB>50</SUB>/mL on days 3<SUP> </SUP>and 5 after inoculation<SUP> </SUP>(figure 3A). Vaccinated ferrets were<SUP> </SUP>protected against virus challenge,<SUP> </SUP>although ferrets that received<SUP> </SUP>a single dose of<SUP> </SUP>7
<TABLE cellSpacing=10><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=middle>
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>[FONT=helvetica, arial][SIZE=-1]Table 4. [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]Cross protection<SUP> </SUP>of rgHK/213/03xPR8 (H5N1)?vaccinated ferrets<SUP> </SUP>against challenge with antigenically<SUP> </SUP>distinct H5N1 influenza viruses.[/SIZE][/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=10><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=middle>
[SIZE=-1](74 kB)[/SIZE]</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left>[FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]Figure 3. [/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]Virus<SUP> </SUP>titers in the upper<SUP> </SUP>respiratory tracts of vaccinated<SUP> </SUP>and control ferrets after<SUP> </SUP>challenge with heterologous H5N1<SUP> </SUP>influenza viruses. Groups of<SUP> </SUP>3 or 4 ferrets<SUP> </SUP>vaccinated with rgHK213/03xPR8 (H5N1)<SUP> </SUP>vaccine and control ferrets<SUP> </SUP>were inoculated intranasally with<SUP> </SUP>10<SUP>6</SUP> EID<SUB>50</SUB> of A/HK/156/97<SUP> </SUP>(H5N1) virus (A) or<SUP> </SUP>A/Vietnam/1203/04 (H5N1) virus (B).<SUP> </SUP>Nasal washes were collected<SUP> </SUP>on days 3, 5,<SUP> </SUP>and 7 after virus<SUP> </SUP>inoculation. Data are the<SUP> </SUP>mean ? SD virus titers<SUP> </SUP>(log<SUB>10</SUB> EID<SUB>50</SUB>/mL) on the<SUP> </SUP>indicated day. *P <<SUP> </SUP>.05, vs. virus titers<SUP> </SUP>in the control group<SUP> </SUP>(2-tailed t test).[/SIZE][/FONT]
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> All 3<SUP> </SUP>unvaccinated ferrets inoculated with<SUP> </SUP>influenza A/Vietnam/1203/04 virus died.<SUP> </SUP>All had fever, lost<SUP> </SUP>
[FONT=helvetica, arial][SIZE=+1]DISCUSSION<SUP> </SUP>[/SIZE][/FONT]
We evaluated the immunogenicity<SUP> </SUP>and cross-protective efficacy of<SUP> </SUP>an H5N1 influenza vaccine,<SUP> </SUP>generated by reverse genetics,<SUP> </SUP>that possessed HA and<SUP> </SUP>NA genes from the<SUP> </SUP>A/HK/213/03 human virus in<SUP> </SUP>the genetic background of<SUP> </SUP>the high-yield strain A/PR/8/34<SUP> </SUP>[16]. This is the<SUP> </SUP>first study in the<SUP> </SUP>ferret model, to our<SUP> </SUP>knowledge, to characterize the<SUP> </SUP>cross-reactive immunity induced by<SUP> </SUP>an H5N1 vaccine and<SUP> </SUP>to evaluate its protectiveness<SUP> </SUP>against both homologous and<SUP> </SUP>antigenically distinct viruses.<SUP> </SUP>
Although a<SUP> </SUP>single dose of vaccine<SUP> </SUP>is presently used for<SUP> </SUP>immunization of adults, our<SUP> </SUP>findings confirmed that a<SUP> </SUP>2-dose regimen is preferable<SUP> </SUP>for vaccination of an<SUP> </SUP>immunologically naive population against<SUP> </SUP>a novel H5N1 strain.<SUP> </SUP>The second dose of<SUP> </SUP>vaccine significantly increased serum<SUP> </SUP>antibody production and conferred<SUP> </SUP>complete protection against challenge<SUP> </SUP>with a high dose<SUP> </SUP>of the homologous H5N1<SUP> </SUP>virus. This observation is<SUP> </SUP>consistent with the findings<SUP> </SUP>of clinical trials in<SUP> </SUP>which 2-dose regimens of<SUP> </SUP>candidate H5N3, H2N2, and<SUP> </SUP>H9N2 influenza vaccines induced<SUP> </SUP>a superior response in<SUP> </SUP>unprimed populations [12, 25].<SUP> </SUP>The dose-dependent effect we<SUP> </SUP>observed in the induction<SUP> </SUP>of neutralizing antibodies and<SUP> </SUP>the reduction of clinical<SUP> </SUP>signs of illness suggested<SUP> </SUP>that an increased dosage<SUP> </SUP>of antigen offers better<SUP> </SUP>protection. However, in the<SUP> </SUP>event of an influenza<SUP> </SUP>pandemic, there is likely<SUP> </SUP>to be a significant<SUP> </SUP>gap between vaccine production<SUP> </SUP>capacity and demand. Therefore,<SUP> </SUP>the use of adjuvanted<SUP> </SUP>vaccines, mucosal adjuvants, or<SUP> </SUP>immunostimulating complexes to enhance<SUP> </SUP>immune stimulation is considered<SUP> </SUP>prudent [26, 27]. Adjuvanted<SUP> </SUP>vaccines have only recently<SUP> </SUP>been licensed and are<SUP> </SUP>not widely available, and<SUP> </SUP>there is uncertainty about<SUP> </SUP>the safety of some<SUP> </SUP>adjuvants in humans, although<SUP> </SUP>that excludes vaccines containing<SUP> </SUP>aluminum adjuvants [9, 25].<SUP> </SUP>
There<SUP> </SUP>is still limited information<SUP> </SUP>available on the extrapulmonary<SUP> </SUP>replication of H5N1 influenza<SUP> </SUP>viruses in humans, with<SUP> </SUP>respect to high mortality<SUP> </SUP>rates observed in documented<SUP> </SUP>human infections in 2004<SUP> </SUP>[5]. Virus isolation from<SUP> </SUP>cerebrospinal fluid, fecal, throat,<SUP> </SUP>and serum specimens [3]<SUP> </SUP>underlines that the clinical<SUP> </SUP>spectrum of influenza H5N1<SUP> </SUP>is wider than previously<SUP> </SUP>thought. The lethality and<SUP> </SUP>marked neurotropism of some<SUP> </SUP>1997 and 2004 virus<SUP> </SUP>isolates have also been<SUP> </SUP>reported in the mouse<SUP> </SUP>and ferret models [21,<SUP> </SUP>28, 29]. Because of<SUP> </SUP>this lethality, the primary<SUP> </SUP>goal of a pandemic<SUP> </SUP>influenza vaccine must be<SUP> </SUP>to prevent death and<SUP> </SUP>not necessarily to prevent<SUP> </SUP>infection. This distinction between<SUP> </SUP>requirements for annual and<SUP> </SUP>pandemic immunization is an<SUP> </SUP>important point in influenza<SUP> </SUP>vaccine development. In our<SUP> </SUP>study, 2 doses of<SUP> </SUP>rgHK213/03xPR8 vaccine completely prevented<SUP> </SUP>the spread of homologous<SUP> </SUP>virus to lung and<SUP> </SUP>brain. However, additional studies<SUP> </SUP>with challenge viruses of<SUP> </SUP>different pathogenicity and, more<SUP> </SUP>importantly, different neurotropism are<SUP> </SUP>needed.<SUP> </SUP>
One desirable feature of<SUP> </SUP>a pandemic vaccine is<SUP> </SUP>the ability to induce<SUP> </SUP>cross-reactive immune responses sufficient<SUP> </SUP>to protect against variants<SUP> </SUP>that have undergone antigenic<SUP> </SUP>drift. Our vaccine was<SUP> </SUP>tested against H5N1 viruses<SUP> </SUP>with substantial antigenic differences.<SUP> </SUP>Phylogenetic analysis of the<SUP> </SUP>H5 HA genes showed<SUP> </SUP>that all 3 H5N1<SUP> </SUP>viruses used in the<SUP> </SUP>study belonged to different<SUP> </SUP>clades [30]. Sequence analysis<SUP> </SUP>revealed that the HA1<SUP> </SUP>regions of A/HK/156/97 and<SUP> </SUP>A/Vietnam/1203/04 viruses differ from<SUP> </SUP>those of the vaccine<SUP> </SUP>strain by 18 and<SUP> </SUP>10 aa, respectively [28,<SUP> </SUP>31]. Most of these<SUP> </SUP>amino acids are located<SUP> </SUP>on the tip of<SUP> </SUP>the HA molecule, the<SUP> </SUP>primary target for neutralizing<SUP> </SUP>antibodies [32]. Nevertheless, we<SUP> </SUP>were able to demonstrate<SUP> </SUP>the induction of cross-reactive<SUP> </SUP>antibodies after vaccination of<SUP> </SUP>immunologically naive ferrets with<SUP> </SUP>2 doses of rgHK213/03xPR8<SUP> </SUP>(H5N1) vaccine. These results<SUP> </SUP>suggest that 2 doses<SUP> </SUP>of vaccine will be<SUP> </SUP>the optimal strategy for<SUP> </SUP>a pandemic influenza vaccine.<SUP> </SUP>
Surprisingly,<SUP> </SUP>ferrets that had almost<SUP> </SUP>no detectable antibodies against<SUP> </SUP>A/Vietnam/1203/04 virus were protected<SUP> </SUP>against lethal challenge with<SUP> </SUP>that virus. We consider<SUP> </SUP>that compromised sensitivity of<SUP> </SUP>the serological assay can<SUP> </SUP>lead to underestimation of<SUP> </SUP>the levels of antibodies.<SUP> </SUP>Indeed, in a recent<SUP> </SUP>study [33], we demonstrated<SUP> </SUP>that H5N1 viruses isolated<SUP> </SUP>in 2004 elicited low<SUP> </SUP>levels of detectable HI<SUP> </SUP>antibody responses both after<SUP> </SUP>intranasal inoculation and after<SUP> </SUP>intramuscular vaccination with nonadjuvanted<SUP> </SUP>vaccine and that the<SUP> </SUP>generation of a recombinant<SUP> </SUP>virus with a single<SUP> </SUP>amino acid substitution (S223N)<SUP> </SUP>in HA resulted in<SUP> </SUP>improved detection of anti-HA<SUP> </SUP>antibodies. Protection of the<SUP> </SUP>ferrets by cellular immune<SUP> </SUP>responses could play a<SUP> </SUP>role. The ferrets used<SUP> </SUP>in the study were<SUP> </SUP>seronegative for antibodies against<SUP> </SUP>H5N1 virus but possessed<SUP> </SUP>anti-HA antibodies against the<SUP> </SUP>contemporary human H3N2 influenza<SUP> </SUP>virus. This situation mimics<SUP> </SUP>that in humans, in<SUP> </SUP>which a pandemic vaccine<SUP> </SUP>will be used in<SUP> </SUP>a population primed with<SUP> </SUP>H3N2 viruses. However, it<SUP> </SUP>seems more likely that<SUP> </SUP>T cell responses to<SUP> </SUP>internal proteins of the<SUP> </SUP>H3N2 viruses would not<SUP> </SUP>influence protection, because these<SUP> </SUP>proteins are genetically distinct<SUP> </SUP>from those of H5N1<SUP> </SUP>viruses [34]. Cytotoxic T<SUP> </SUP>lymphocytes (CTLs) play an<SUP> </SUP>important role in the<SUP> </SUP>control of influenza infection<SUP> </SUP>[35]. Alternatively, H5N1-specific CTLs<SUP> </SUP>may have been induced<SUP> </SUP>by vaccination. However, the<SUP> </SUP>extent and significance of<SUP> </SUP>previous cellular immunity in<SUP> </SUP>the protection of ferrets<SUP> </SUP>in our experiments is<SUP> </SUP>unknown, and H3-seropositive control<SUP> </SUP>ferrets were highly susceptible<SUP> </SUP>to infection and disease<SUP> </SUP>with A/Vietnam/1203/04 virus. Although<SUP> </SUP>intramuscular vaccination with an<SUP> </SUP>inactivated influenza vaccine induces<SUP> </SUP>little CTL stimulation in<SUP> </SUP>humans [36], little is<SUP> </SUP>known about the cellular<SUP> </SUP>response in ferrets and<SUP> </SUP>the potential contribution of<SUP> </SUP>cross-priming of antigen-specific CTLs<SUP> </SUP>[37, 38].<SUP> </SUP>
At least 6<SUP> </SUP>months will probably be<SUP> </SUP>required to produce the<SUP> </SUP>first dose of H5N1<SUP> </SUP>vaccine after the virus<SUP> </SUP>strain is identified. Vaccine<SUP> </SUP>availability could be increased<SUP> </SUP>through the stockpiling of<SUP> </SUP>pandemic vaccines and the<SUP> </SUP>development of vaccine virus<SUP> </SUP>libraries. The results of<SUP> </SUP>our study show that<SUP> </SUP>protection can be gained<SUP> </SUP>even when the vaccine<SUP> </SUP>strain does not match<SUP> </SUP>the challenge virus and<SUP> </SUP>that the optimal strategy<SUP> </SUP>for vaccination of immunologically<SUP> </SUP>naive populations will be<SUP> </SUP>the 2-dose regimen, which<SUP> </SUP>induced more cross-reactive antibodies<SUP> </SUP>within the same HA<SUP> </SUP>subtype. Therefore, the strategy<SUP> </SUP>of stockpiling pandemic vaccines<SUP> </SUP>for administration to groups<SUP> </SUP>at high risk offers<SUP> </SUP>promise. Reverse-genetics technology allows<SUP> </SUP>for the rapid generation<SUP> </SUP>of a broad spectrum<SUP> </SUP>of vaccine virus libraries.<SUP> </SUP>Selection of the most<SUP> </SUP>promising vaccine candidate will<SUP> </SUP>require special attention, because<SUP> </SUP>the candidate must not<SUP> </SUP>only carry major antigenic<SUP> </SUP>epitopes of H5 HA<SUP> </SUP>but also be immunogenic.<SUP> </SUP>It should also be<SUP> </SUP>remembered that other influenza<SUP> </SUP>HA subtypes, such as<SUP> </SUP>H2, H9, and H7,<SUP> </SUP>have pandemic potential.<SUP> </SUP>
[FONT=helvetica, arial]Acknowledgments<SUP> </SUP>[/FONT]
We gratefully<SUP> </SUP>acknowledge Christoph Scholtissek for<SUP> </SUP>helpful suggestions; Christie Johnson<SUP> </SUP>and Kelly Jones, for<SUP> </SUP>technical assistance; and Sharon<SUP> </SUP>Naron for excellent editorial<SUP> </SUP>assistance.<SUP> </SUP>
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