Zika Virus: Immunity and Vaccine Development

Immune Responses to Dengue and Zika Viruses—Guidance for T Cell Vaccine Development

Despite numerous efforts to identify the molecular and cellular effectors of the adaptive immunity that induce a long-lasting immunity against dengue or Zika virus infection, the specific mechanisms underlying such protective immunity remain largely unknown. One of the major challenges lies in the high level of dengue virus (DENV) seroprevalence in areas where Zika virus (ZIKV) is circulating. ...

Considerations for Developing a Zika Virus Vaccine.

Current prevention strategies fo­ cus on mosquito control, protec­ tion of the blood supply, barrier protection during sex, and other forms of contraception. When this explosive epidemic abates, Zika vi­ rus could remain endemic in many countries, where the risk to preg­ nant women, the general public, and travelers will persist. There­ fore, a safe and effective vaccine is essential. Developme...

A New In Vivo Model to Study Protective Immunity to Zika Virus Infection in Mice With Intact Type I Interferon Signaling

The association between recent Zika virus (ZIKV) infection and neurological complications, microcephaly in the fetus, and Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults underscores the necessity for a protective vaccine. Rational vaccine development requires an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms which could protect against infection with this virus. However, so far, such an analysis has been hampered ...

Recombinant Zika virus envelope protein elicited protective immunity against Zika virus in immunocompetent mice

Zika virus (ZIKV) has caused great public concerns due to its recent large outbreaks and a close association with microcephaly in fetus and Guillain-Barre syndrome in adults. Rapid development of vaccines against ZIKV is a public health priority. To this end, we have constructed and purified recombinant ZIKV envelope protein using both prokaryotic and eukaryotic expression systems, and then tes...

Perspectives on the Zika outbreak: herd immunity, antibody-dependent enhancement and vaccine