The trimeric vaccine Trimer-CD40L-TB induced broad-spectrum Th1/cytotoxic T-cell responses, improved germinal center formation, and provided cross-protection against FMDV serotypes O and A.
A novel trimeric vaccine targeting conserved T-cell epitopes provides cross-serotype protection against foot-and-mouth disease virus, highlighting the importance of T-cell-mediated immunity.
CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell epitopes of the nonstructural proteins 2B and 2C of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) were systematically characterized using FMDV-infected swine combined with intracellular cytokine staining and IFN-γ ELISpot assays. The highly conserved epitopes 2C 157-174 and 2C 109-126, identified across seven FMDV serotypes, were recognized by both swine and cattle T cells. This discovery will aid in the development of universal FMDV vaccines capable of eliciting cross-serotype and cross-species immunity. Unlike conventional FMDV vaccines that rely on humoral responses, the trimeric vaccine Trimer-CD40L-TB, integrating CD40L-enhanced T cells, was engineered with conserved B-/T-cell epitopes. This design not only induced broad-spectrum Th1/cytotoxic T-cell responses but also improved germinal center formation and neutralizing antibody production, leading to cross-protection against serotypes O and A. This approach demonstrated that T-cell-mediated immunity is essential for durable and cross-serotype protection, thereby offering a blueprint for next-generation vaccines.
Mu et al. (Mon,) conducted a other in Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). Trimer-CD40L-TB vaccine vs. Conventional FMDV vaccines was evaluated on T-cell responses, germinal center formation, neutralizing antibody production, and cross-protection. The trimeric vaccine Trimer-CD40L-TB induced broad-spectrum Th1/cytotoxic T-cell responses, improved germinal center formation, and provided cross-protection against FMDV serotypes O and A.