West Nile virus DNA vaccine

The West Nile virus DNA vaccine is an investigational DNA-based vaccine developed by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Vaccine Research Center (VRC) in collaboration with Vical and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The vaccine consists of a single-plasmid DNA vector encoding the premembrane (prM) and envelope (E) glycoproteins of the NY99 strain of West Nile virus, placed under the transcriptional control of a modified CMV/R promoter. Upon intramuscular administration, the DNA is taken up by host cells which then express the viral proteins; these proteins assemble into subviral particles that mimic the virus and stimulate a targeted immune response, including the production of neutralizing antibodies and T-cell activation. Although Phase I clinical trials (such as NCT00300417) demonstrated that the vaccine was safe and immunogenic in both younger and older healthy adults, the candidate has not progressed to Phase III trials or achieved regulatory licensure for human use.

Other names

WNV DNA vaccineNIAID West Nile virus DNA vaccineWest Nile virus DNA plasmid vaccine