Improved mucosal protection against Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus is induced by the molecularly defined, live-attenuated V3526 vaccine candidate

The generically engineered, live-attenuated Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus vaccine candidate, V3526, was evaluated as a replacement for th e TC-83 virus vaccine. Protection from lethal subcutaneous or aerosol chall enge was evaluated in vaccinated mice clinically and immunohistochemically. Subcutaneous administration of V3526 induced systemic and mucosal protecti on more efficiently than did the TC-83 vaccine. The bronchial IgA responses induced in mice by subcutaneous administration of vaccines significantly c orresponded to the ability to survive aerosol challenge with virulent virus . Furthermore, V3526 delivered by aerosol induced more complete mucosal pro tection than either vaccine administered subcutaneously. The ability of V35 26 to induce protection in mice warrants its consideration for further test ing as a potential vaccine candidate for human use. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scien ce Ltd. All rights reserved.