Characterization of the Anti-Viral and Vaccine-Specific CD8 T Cell Composition upon Treatment with the Cancer Vaccine VSV-GP.

Numerous factors influence the magnitude and effector phenotype of vaccine-induced CD8 T cells, thereby potentially impacting treatment efficacy. Here, we investigate the effect of vaccination dose, route of immunization, presence of a target antigen-expressing tumor, and heterologous prime-boost with peptide vaccine partner following vaccination with antigen-armed VSV-GP. Our results indicate that a higher vaccine dose increases antigen-specific CD8 T cell proportions while altering the phenotype.

Prediction and validation of murine MHC class I epitopes of the recombinant virus VSV-GP.

Oncolytic viruses are currently tested as a novel platform for cancer therapy. These viruses preferentially replicate in and kill malignant cells. Due to their microbial origin, treatment with oncolytic viruses naturally results in anti-viral responses and general immune activation.

Differential infection of murine and human dendritic cell subsets by oncolytic vesicular stomatitis virus variants.

Oncolytic viruses (OVs) can eradicate tumor cells and elicit antitumor immunity. VSV-GP, a chimeric vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) with the glycoprotein (GP) of the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, is a promising new OV candidate. However, the interaction of VSV-GP with host immune cells is not fully understood.

Persistence of immunity to SARS-CoV-2 over time in the ski resort Ischgl.

Background In early March 2020, a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in the ski resort Ischgl in Austria triggered the spread of SARS-CoV-2 throughout Austria and Northern Europe. In a previous study, we found that the seroprevalence in the adult population of Ischgl had reached 45% by the end of April, representing an exceptionally high level of local seropositivity in Europe. We performed a follow-up study in Ischgl, which is the first to show persistence of immunity and protection against SARS-CoV-2 and some of its variants at a community level.

Immune transcriptomes of highly exposed SARS-CoV-2 asymptomatic seropositive versus seronegative individuals from the Ischgl community.

SARS-CoV-2 infection ranges from asymptomatic to severe with lingering symptomatology in some. This prompted investigation of whether or not asymptomatic disease results in measurable immune activation post-infection. Immune activation following asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection was characterized through a comparative investigation of the immune cell transcriptomes from 43 asymptomatic seropositive and 52 highly exposed seronegative individuals from the same community 4-6 weeks following a superspreading event.

Immune transcriptomes of highly exposed SARS-CoV-2 asymptomatic seropositive versus seronegative individuals from the Ischgl community.

To investigate prevalence of ongoing activation of inflammation following asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection we characterized immune cell transcriptomes from 43 asymptomatic seropositive and 52 highly exposed seronegative individuals with few underlying health issues following a community superspreading event. Four mildly symptomatic seropositive individuals examined three weeks after infection as positive controls demonstrated immunological activation. Approximately four to six weeks following the event, the two asymptomatic groups showed no significant differences.

Immune transcriptomes of highly exposed SARS-CoV-2 asymptomatic seropositive versus seronegative individuals from the Ischgl community.

To investigate prevalence of ongoing activation of inflammation following asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection we characterized immune cell transcriptomes from 43 asymptomatic seropositive and 52 highly exposed seronegative individuals with few underlying health issues following a community superspreading event. Four mildly symptomatic seropositive individuals examined three weeks after infection as positive controls demonstrated immunological activation. Approximately four to six weeks following the event, the two asymptomatic groups showed no significant differences.

Xenoantigen-Dependent Complement-Mediated Neutralization of Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Glycoprotein-Pseudotyped Vesicular Stomatitis Virus in Human Serum.

Neutralization by antibodies and complement limits the effective dose and thus the therapeutic efficacy of oncolytic viruses after systemic application. We and others previously showed that pseudotyping of oncolytic rhabdoviruses such as maraba virus and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) with the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus glycoprotein (LCMV-GP) results in only a weak induction of neutralizing antibodies. Moreover, LCMV-GP-pseudotyped VSV (VSV-GP) was significantly more stable in normal human serum (NHS) than VSV.

Oncolytic virotherapy enhances the efficacy of a cancer vaccine by modulating the tumor microenvironment.

The efficacy of cancer vaccines has been limited by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, which can be alleviated by immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. Here, we tested if oncolytic viruses (OVs), similar to ICI, can also synergize with cancer vaccines by modulating the tumor microenvironment. VSV-GP, a chimeric vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) pseudotyped with the glycoprotein (GP) of the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, is a promising new OV candidate.