COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate Based on Engineered Dog Virus Shows Promise in Promoting Immune Response

The team of researchers had developed a promising vaccine for MERS-CoV, the coronavirus that causes Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, and quickly pivoted their research to focus on SARS-CoV-2. Their MERS vaccine successfully promoted immunity to the disease in lab studies, giving the researchers high hopes for the COVID-19 vaccine.

The vaccines are based on a viral delivery platform containing modified strains of the virus that cause kennel cough in dogs, parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5). The modified viruses produce proteins found in the two coronaviruses, specifically the spike proteins that form the “crown” or corona for which they are named. After the vaccine has been administered, cells are infected with the PIV5 virus. The body then begins to mount a defense to the MERS spike proteins produced by the modified virus—ultimately promoting immunity to infection. While vaccine development is still in the early stages, the researchers hope that it will be successful in further tests and that the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine will be ready for FDA approval by the end of the year.

“When your dog is immunized against kennel cough, a similar vaccine is used. After immunization, the dog will shed this PIV5 for days. If you have a dog, you have been safely exposed to this virus many times,” said Biao He, the Fred C. Davison Distinguished University Chair in Veterinary Medicine at UGA who led the study.

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