WINGS

"West Nile Integrated Shield Project: Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Prevention of West Nile Virus in Europe"

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The world is facing a variety of viral infections of high pathogenic potential. These are either novel or formerly only endemic in specific areas of the world. It is intrinsic to such emerging diseases that actions to prevent and fight them must be taken while the number of infections is still relatively low and geographically restricted. Therefore, research efforts are required well before large outbreaks occur. In addition, effective surveillance networks for a given emerging disease must be established in time. Only with tools for treatment and control (such as vaccines) it will be possible to avoid major uncontrolled outbreaks. This proposal aims at the development of these tools for the control and prevention of one of the most threatening vector-borne emerging diseases, West Nile Fever, caused by West Nile Virus (WNV), which has recently spread through North America. Although the viral strains are similar in America and Europe, different conditions for a WNV epidemic have to be taken into account, like insect vectors, reservoir hosts (birds) and their endemic virus populations plus specialities of European climate and geography. To achieve the goals of the call and to make a significant impact in the enhancement of Europe´s preparedness to WNV, the consortium has defined three major scientific and technical objectives. Firstly, to develop a diagnostic system for WNV-infections, which has no cross-reaction with other common flavivirus infections. Secondly, to develop a vaccine for humans and last but not least to establish a scientific network to collect, investigate and standardize biological data associated with WNV records using standardized methods. Several European Institutes supported by US scientist experienced with the North American outbreak will be collaborating to fight the disease from a European perspective.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

In recent years, outbreaks of West Nile Virus (WNV), a mosquito-transmitted pathogen, are increasing in number and geographic distribution in Europe. Actions to prevent emerging diseases must be taken before large outbreaks occur.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Currently, there is no vaccine available to protect humans against WNV infection. The EU-funded http://www.west-nile-shield-project.eu (WINGS) proposal aimed to develop tools for the control and prevention of one of the most threatening vector-borne emerging diseases. The goal of the WINGS investigators was to identify the most potent antigen (target) and develop immunisation strategies against rapidly adaptable, newly emerging WNV strains.

During the three years of the project, the scientific team analysed several proteins that form the viral envelope of the European strain and cloned the most relevant genes for vaccine development and biomarker assays. They tested protein vaccine/adjuvant combinations using animal models and selected the most potent ones.

Another approach to immunisation against WNV utilised DNA-based vaccination. This approach relies on the ability of the organism to propagate the vaccine inside the body in response to the immunisation. The scientists used nanoparticles to enhance the delivery of the DNA and to prolong the half-life of the vaccine antigen inside the human body.

The consortium successfully developed several candidate vaccines consisting of either recombinant proteins or DNA, or a mixture of both. The most promising vaccine candidate showed long-lasting complete protection in mice and non-human primates. The vaccine was well tolerated, protective against different circulating European WNV strains, and displayed high immunogenicity and protective capacity. In addition, as the most promising candidate is based on a recombinant protein expressed in bacteria, the vaccine can be produced in high yields.

In addition, researchers developed several tools for the specific diagnosis of WNV infection. A novel method enables the detection and isolation of WNV from urine samples. This is a significant advantage over existing protocols because of its higher sensitivity in comparison to blood sample testing.

In sum, the WINGS project delivered several novel technologies and tools to specifically detect and efficiently counteract the WNV threat. These efforts delivered valuable data about WNV biology, and prepare Europe for its potential spread.