RiVax, a recombinant ricin subunit vaccine, protects mice against ricin delivered by gavage or aerosol

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89 Scopus citations

Abstract

Ricin is a plant toxin that is a CDC level B biothreat. Our recombinant ricin A chain vaccine (RiVax), which contains mutations in both known toxic sites, has no residual toxicity at doses at least 800 times the immunogenic dose. RiVax without adjuvant given intramuscularly (i.m.) protected mice against intraperitoneally administered ricin. Furthermore the vaccine without alum was safe and immunogenic in human volunteers. Here we describe the development of gavage and aerosol ricin challenge models in mice and demonstrate that i.m. vaccination protects mice against ricin delivered by either route. Also RiVax protects against aerosol-induced lung damage as determined by histology and lung function tests.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)7459-7469
Number of pages11
JournalVaccine
Volume25
Issue number42
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 16 2007

Keywords

  • Bioterrorism
  • RiVax
  • Ricin
  • Vaccine

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Medicine
  • General Immunology and Microbiology
  • General Veterinary
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Infectious Diseases

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