The replication-deficient orthopoxvirus modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) is a promising vaccine vector against various pathogens and has an excellent safety record. However, pre-existing vector-specific immunity is frequently suggested to be a drawback of MVA-based vaccines. To address this issue, mice were vaccinated with MVA-based influenza vaccines in the presence or absence of orthopoxvirus-specific immunity. Importantly, protective efficacy of an MVA-based influenza vaccine against a homologous challenge was not impaired in the presence of orthopoxvirus-specific pre-existing immunity. Nonetheless, orthopoxvirus-specific pre-existing immunity reduced the induction of antigen-specific antibodies under specific conditions and completely prevented induction of antigen-specific T cell responses by rMVA-based vaccination. Notably, antibodies induced by vaccinia virus vaccination, both in mice and humans, were not capable of neutralizing MVA. Thus, when using rMVA-based vaccines it is important to consider the main correlate of protection induced by the vaccine, the vaccine dose and the orthopoxvirus immune status of vaccine recipients.

doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-24820-2, hdl.handle.net/1765/106080
Scientific Reports
Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam

Altenburg, A., Trierum, S., De Bruin, E. (Erwin), de Meulder, D., van de Sandt, C., van der Klis, F., … de Vries, R. (2018). Effects of pre-existing orthopoxvirus-specific immunity on the performance of Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara-based influenza vaccines. Scientific Reports, 8(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-018-24820-2