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Advances in diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics for Nipah virus

Thakur N, Bailey D

Microbes Infect, 2019;21(7):278-286.
PMID: 30817995 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2019.02.002

Nipah virus is an emerging zoonotic paramyxovirus that causes severe and often fatal respiratory and neurological disease in humans. The virus was first discovered after an outbreak of encephalitis in pig farmers in Malaysia and Singapore with subsequent outbreaks in Bangladesh or India occurring almost annually. Due to the highly pathogenic nature of NiV, its pandemic potential, and the lack of licensed vaccines or therapeutics, there is a requirement for research and development into highly sensitive and specific diagnostic tools as well as antivirals and vaccines to help prevent and control future outbreak situations.
Fulltext Phytoantioxidant Functionalized Nanoparticles: A Green Approach to Combat Nanoparticle-Induced Oxidative Stress

Balkrishna A, Kumar A, Arya V, Rohela A, Verma R, Nepovimova E, et al.

Oxid Med Cell Longev, 2021;2021:3155962.
PMID: 34737844 DOI: 10.1155/2021/3155962

Nanotechnology is gaining significant attention, with numerous biomedical applications. Silver in wound dressings, copper oxide and silver in antibacterial preparations, and zinc oxide nanoparticles as a food and cosmetic ingredient are common examples. However, adverse effects of nanoparticles in humans and the environment from extended exposure at varied concentrations have yet to be established. One of the drawbacks of employing nanoparticles is their tendency to cause oxidative stress, a significant public health concern with life-threatening consequences. Cardiovascular, renal, and respiratory problems and diabetes are among the oxidative stress-related disorders. In this context, phytoantioxidant functionalized nanoparticles could be a novel and effective alternative. In addition to performing their intended function, they can protect against oxidative damage. This review was designed by searching through various websites, books, and articles found in PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. To begin with, oxidative stress, its related diseases, and the mechanistic basis of oxidative damage caused by nanoparticles are discussed. One of the main mechanisms of action of nanoparticles was unearthed to be oxidative stress, which limits their use in humans. Secondly, the role of phytoantioxidant functionalized nanoparticles in oxidative damage prevention is critically discussed. The parameters for the characterization of nanoparticles were also discussed. The majority of silver, gold, iron, zinc oxide, and copper nanoparticles produced utilizing various plant extracts were active free radical scavengers. This potential is linked to several surface fabricated phytoconstituents, such as flavonoids and phenols. These phytoantioxidant functionalized nanoparticles could be a better alternative to nanoparticles prepared by other existing approaches.
Fulltext Cross-protectivity of henipavirus soluble glycoprotein in an in vivo model of Nipah virus disease

Findlay-Wilson S, Thakur N, Crossley L, Easterbrook L, Salguero FJ, Ruedas-Torres I, et al.

Front Immunol, 2025;16:1517244.
PMID: 40078997 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1517244

INTRODUCTION: Nipah virus (NiV) is one of a group of highly pathogenic viruses classified within the Henipavirus genus. Since 2012 at least 11 new henipa-like viruses have been identified, including from new locations and reservoir hosts; the pathogenicity of these new viruses has yet to be determined, but two of them have been associated with morbidity, including fatalities.
METHODS: The efficacy and cross-reactivity of two vaccine candidates derived from the soluble glycoproteins of both NiV and Hendra virus (HeV) was evaluated in our recently established hamster model.
RESULTS: Both vaccine preparations resulted in strong humoral responses against NiV antigenic targets, demonstrating cross-reactive immunity. Efficacy was determined through challenge of hamsters with NiV Malaysian (NiV-M) strain. 100% of the hamsters survived a lethal challenge dose after prime/boost immunisation with glycoproteins derived from both NiV and HeV in the presence of adjuvant, with clinical signs and pathology being significantly reduced in immunised animals.
DISCUSSION: This is first time the NiV and HeV soluble glycoproteins have been compared in the NiV-M hamster challenge model in the presence of Alhydrogel and AddaVax, providing evidence that glycoproteins from closely related henipavirus species can provide cross-protectivity against infection from alternate henipaviruses, supporting the potential of an effective pan-henipavirus vaccine for use in a frontline outbreak response.
Fulltext Evaluation of the immunogenicity of an mRNA vectored Nipah virus vaccine candidate in pigs

Pedrera M, McLean RK, Medfai L, Thakur N, Todd S, Marsh G, et al.

Front Immunol, 2024;15:1384417.
PMID: 38726013 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1384417

Nipah virus (NiV) poses a significant threat to human and livestock populations across South and Southeast Asia. Vaccines are required to reduce the risk and impact of spillover infection events. Pigs can act as an intermediate amplifying host for NiV and, separately, provide a preclinical model for evaluating human vaccine candidate immunogenicity. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the immunogenicity of an mRNA vectored NiV vaccine candidate in pigs. Pigs were immunized twice with 100 μg nucleoside-modified mRNA vaccine encoding soluble G glycoprotein from the Malaysia strain of NiV, formulated in lipid nanoparticles. Potent antigen-binding and virus neutralizing antibodies were detected in serum following the booster immunization. Antibody responses effectively neutralized both the Malaysia and Bangladesh strains of NiV but showed limited neutralization of the related (about 80% amino acid sequence identity for G) Hendra virus. Antibodies were also capable of neutralizing NiV glycoprotein mediated cell-cell fusion. NiV G-specific T cell cytokine responses were also measurable following the booster immunization with evidence for induction of both CD4 and CD8 T cell responses. These data support the further evaluation of mRNA vectored NiV G as a vaccine for both pigs and humans.