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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Frontiers in Immunology

A subunit vaccine protects A129 mice from death and joint swelling against lethal Chikungunya virus challenge

  • Jiangfan Li1
  • Ting Fang1
  • Liyuan Song2
  • Li Qiang1
  • Yating Hu2
  • Chuanyi Zhao1
  • Haoran Wang1
  • Wenbin Zhao1
  • Guangcheng Fu1
  • Hongyu Yuan1,2
  • Jianmin Li1,2
  1. 1National Key Laboratory of Advanced Biotechnology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences
  2. 2Laboratory of Advanced Biotechnology, ZJU-Hangzhou Global Scientific and Technological Innovation Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou
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Abstract

Introduction: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is primarily transmitted to humans through bites of infected Aedes mosquitoes , causing febrile illness as well as acute or chronic arthritis. With increasing reports in previously non-endemic regions, it poses an emerging threat to public health and a growing risk to travelers. Despite the recent approval of live-attenuated and virus-like particle-based vaccines, a safe, efficacious, and cost-effective vaccine remains urgently needed. The envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2, which play crucial roles in viral attachment and entry, are the major immunodominant structural proteins and can effectively elicit protective antibodies.

Methods: We engineered mammalian cells to produce the ectodomains of the E1 and E2 glycoproteins and evaluated the protective efficacy of the resulting vaccine formulations in vivo .

Results: A two-dose vaccination regimen elicited high levels of antibodies and provided full protection against lethal challenge in A129 mice, preventing both death and joint swelling.

Discussion: These findings demonstrate the potential of this vaccine candidate against CHIKV and warrant its further development.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{li2026subunit,
  title = {{A subunit vaccine protects A129 mice from death and joint swelling against lethal Chikungunya virus challenge}},
  author = {Jiangfan Li and Ting Fang and Liyuan Song and Li Qiang and Yating Hu and Chuanyi Zhao and Haoran Wang and Wenbin Zhao and Guangcheng Fu and Hongyu Yuan and Jianmin Li},
  journal = {Frontiers in Immunology},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3389/fimmu.2026.1937609},
  url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1937609/full},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - A subunit vaccine protects A129 mice from death and joint swelling against lethal Chikungunya virus challenge
AU  - Jiangfan Li
AU  - Ting Fang
AU  - Liyuan Song
AU  - Li Qiang
AU  - Yating Hu
AU  - Chuanyi Zhao
AU  - Haoran Wang
AU  - Wenbin Zhao
AU  - Guangcheng Fu
AU  - Hongyu Yuan
AU  - Jianmin Li
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/06
JO  - Frontiers in Immunology
DO  - 10.3389/fimmu.2026.1937609
UR  - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1937609/full
AB  - Introduction: Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is primarily transmitted to humans through bites of infected Aedes mosquitoes , causing febrile illness as well as acute or chronic arthritis. With increasing reports in previously non-endemic regions, it poses an emerging threat to public health and a growing risk to travelers. Despite the recent approval of live-attenuated and virus-like particle-based vaccines, a safe, efficacious, and cost-effective vaccine remains urgently needed. The envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2, which play crucial roles in viral attachment and entry, are the major immunodominant structural proteins and can effectively elicit protective antibodies.  Methods: We engineered mammalian cells to produce the ectodomains of the E1 and E2 glycoproteins and evaluated the protective efficacy of the resulting vaccine formulations in vivo .  Results: A two-dose vaccination regimen elicited high levels of antibodies and provided full protection against lethal challenge in A129 mice, preventing both death and joint swelling.  Discussion: These findings demonstrate the potential of this vaccine candidate against CHIKV and warrant its further development.
SN  - 1664-3224
ER  -