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Neonatal Vaccines

Neonatal Vaccines

 

Since infectious diseases are the main cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality in humans and animals, vaccines should ideally induce protective immunity early in life. With our neonatal immunization against pertussis project, we are developing a platform technology that requires a single immunization for strong systemic and mucosal immunity, and addresses challenges related to immature neonatal immune systems. We are also looking for ways to overcome maternal interference by studying the neonatal and adult mouse and porcine immune systems.


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Our respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) project is identifying age-dependent differences in clinical disease, lung pathology and immune responses between bovine RSV infected newborn and older calves. We are also researching RSV vaccine formulations for vaccinating newborns, pregnant mothers and the elderly.


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Mucosal surfaces are primary sites of entry for infectious agents during birth and the neonatal period. In our vaccination of neonates through breast-milk consumption project, we are developing a novel vaccination strategy that uses breast milk to "administer" neonatal mucosal vaccines. With this approach, mammary glands secrete low but continuous levels of antigens into breast milk to establish neonatal immunity.


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Vaccine research is focused on developing formulations that produce strong and specific humoral and cell mediated immune responses. We are conducting a research project that evaluates the effects of innate immune modulators, vaccine adjuvants and routes of vaccine administration on host immune response and vaccine efficacy.


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Research Partners

 

VIDO-InterVac acknowledges the organizations that have provided funding for this research:


Members of this Research Group

 

Program Manager: Volker Gerdts

Scientists: Heather Wilson,

Technicians: Stacy Strom, Jill van Kessel, Rachelle Buchanan

Graduate Students: Marina Facci, Aleksandra Gracia, Monika Polewicz, Tova Dybvig,

Post doctoral Fellows: Gael Auray, Srinivas Garlapati

Project Manager: Jim Holmstrom

 


Awards, Publications, Links

Links to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation - Grand Challenges in Global Health website:

 

 

Below are some sample publications for this research group.  More information can be obtained in Publications and Patents.

  • Facci MR, Auray G, Buchanan R, van Kessel J, Thompson DR, Mackenzie-Dyck S, Babiuk LA, Gerdts V. A comparison between isolated blood dendritic cells and monocyte-derived dendritic cells in pigs. Immunology. 2009
  • Kovacs-Nolan J, Latimer L, Landi A, Jenssen H, Hancock RE, Babiuk LA, van Drunen Littel-van den Hurk S. The novel adjuvant combination of CpG ODN, indolicidin and polyphosphazene induces potent antibody- and cell-mediated immune responses in mice. Vaccine. 2009 Mar 23;27(14):2055-64.
  • Eng NF, Garlapati S, Gerdts V, Potter A, Babiuk LA, Mutwiri GK. The Potential of Polyphosphazenes for Delivery of Vaccine Antigens and Immunotherapeutic Agents. Curr Drug Deliv. 2009 Oct 29.
  • Kindrachuk J, Jenssen H, Elliott M, Townsend R, Nijnik A, Lee SF, Gerdts V, Babiuk LA, Halperin SA, Hancock RE. A novel vaccine adjuvant comprised of a synthetic innate defence regulator peptide and CpG oligonucleotide links innate and adaptive immunity.Vaccine. 2009 Jul 23;27(34):4662-71.
  • Mapletoft JW, Latimer L, Babiuk LA, van Drunen Littel-van den Hurk S. Intranasal immunization of mice with a bovine respiratory syncytial virus vaccine induces superior immunity and protection compared to those by subcutaneous delivery or combinations of intranasal and subcutaneous prime-boost strategies.Clin Vaccine Immunol. 2010 Jan;17(1):23-35.
  • Kovacs-Nolan J, Mapletoft JW, Latimer L, Babiuk LA, Hurk SD CpG oligonucleotide, host defense peptide and polyphosphazene act synergistically, inducing long-lasting, balanced immune responses in cattle. Vaccine. 2009 Mar 23;27(14):2048-54.
  • Elahi, S., Holmstrom, J., and Gerdts, V. 2007. The benefits of using diverse animal models for studying pertussis. Trends in Microbiology, 15(10):462-8.
  • Gerdts, V., Littlel-van den Hurk, S.D., Griebel, P.J., Babiuk, L.A. 2007. Use of animal models in the development of human vaccines. Future Microbiology, 2:667-675.
  • Mutwiri, G., Benjamin, P., Soita, H., Townsend, H., Yost, R., Roberts, B., Adrianov, A.K., Babiuk, L.A. 2006. Poly[di(sodium carboxylatoethylphenoxy)phosphazene] (PCEP) is a potent enhancer of mixed Th1/Th2 immune responses in mice immunized with influenza virus antigens. Vaccine, 25(7):1204-13.
  • Elahi, S., Buchanan, R.M., Attah-Poku, S., Townsend, H.G.G., Babiuk, L.A., and Gerdts, V. 2006. The Host Defense Peptide Beta-Defensin 1 Confers Protection against Bordetella pertussis in Newborn Piglets. Infection and Immunity, 74(4):2338-2352.
  • Elahi, S., Buchanan, R.M., Babiuk, L.A., and Gerdts, V. 2006. Maternal Immunity Provides Protection against Pertussis in Newborn Piglets. Infection and Immunity, 74(5):2619-2627.

 

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