An Indian-origin researchers team in the United States is working to develop a unique Covid-19 vaccine which uses a bovine adenovirus that will protect all segments of the population, especially elderlies.
Bovine Adenovirus is a member of the Adenoviridae family which causes disease in cattle and is also known as BAdV.
"Adenoviral vectors have emerged as a promising gene-delivery platform for a variety of therapeutic and vaccine purposes during the last two decades," said study author Suresh Kuchipudi from Penn State University in the US.
"Historically, we have used human adenoviruses as platforms for vaccine delivery, but using a delivery system based on an animal adenovirus means that the human population will have no pre-existing immunity to the vector, thereby improving its effectiveness," Kuchipudi added.
Indian-origin researchers use bovine adenovirus to develop Covid-19 vaccine: Key Points
• Kuchipudi explained that human adenoviruses are widespread and can cause common illnesses such as cold-like symptoms, fever, sore throat, bronchitis, pneumonia, diarrhea and pink eye.
• As a result, most people may have pre-existing immunity that could impact the efficacy of vaccines delivered via a human adenovirus-based vector.
• The team has adapted an adenovirus typically found in cattle to prevent it from replicating, which enhances safety. This team is led by Purdue University virologist Suresh Mittal and also includes immunologist Suryaprakash Sambhara from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
• The researchers also clarified the adenovirus to express a peptide that stimulates a robust immune response to influenza viruses in mice.
• The researchers noted that because SARS-CoV-2 is a newly emerged virus for which humans have no previous immunity, any vaccine will have to be highly immunogenic to provide protection, particularly among older adults, whose immune systems naturally decline with age.
