DNA vaccines protect monkeys against Zika virus

Scientists from NIAID’s Vaccine Research Center developed 2 experimental DNA vaccines against Zika virus.

Digitally colorized electron micrograph of Zika virus particles (red). Image credit: CDC/Cynthia Goldsmith

The team engineered circular pieces of DNA to contain genes that code for viral proteins.

When the vaccine is injected into muscle, cells read the genes and make Zika proteins, which self-assemble into virus-like particles. The body then mounts an immune response to these particles. DNA vaccines have been shown to be safe in previous clinical trials for other diseases.

They don’t contain infectious material, so they can’t cause Zika infection.

Both experimental vaccines, called VRC5283 and VRC5288, were engineered to prompt cells to produce the Zika virus structural proteins premembrane (prM) and envelope (E).

Both vaccines included portions of an unrelated virus to improve protein expression. VRC5288 also included another portion of an unrelated virus to improve secretion of virus particles from cells.

Researchers plan to evaluate both experimental vaccines in people to test a variety of regimens and doses for safety and immune responses.

Zika virus spreads mostly through bites from infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. It can also be transmitted through sexual contact or from mother to child during pregnancy or around the time of birth.

Most Zika infections cause no symptoms or a mild illness lasting about a week.

Zika infection during pregnancy can affect the fetus and lead to serious birth defects, especially those involving the developing brain. The virus also is associated with neurological diseases such as Guillain-Barré syndrome in infected adults.

Currently, there are no vaccines or effective treatments. (NIH)

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