According to recent estimates, astroviruses account for approximately 2-9% of acute, non-bacterial diarrhea cases in children globally, highlighting the urgent need for effective vaccines and therapeutic options. Our company is dedicated to driving progress in the development of impactful vaccines and therapies for astrovirus infections.
Overview of Astrovirus Infection
Astrovirus infections are caused by a group of positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses known as astroviruses. These pathogens are recognized as significant contributors to viral gastroenteritis, particularly in vulnerable populations such as infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. The presentation of astrovirus infection typically includes diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and vomiting, with symptoms often lasting between 1 to 3 days. However, in immunocompromised cases, astrovirus can lead to severe complications, including necrotizing enterocolitis and even systemic disease.
Fig.1 Nitazoxanide inhibits the replication of HAstV-1 in Caco-2 cells. (Hargest V., et al., 2020)
Vaccine Development for Astrovirus Infection
Inactivated and Live Attenuated Vaccines
Inactivated and live attenuated vaccine candidates are among the most traditional approaches to developing astrovirus vaccines. Inactivated vaccines comprise virus particles that are killed through physical or chemical means, retaining the ability to elicit an immune response without causing disease. Live attenuated vaccines, on the other hand, involve using a weakened form of the virus that can replicate minimally in the host, providing immunity while posing a lower risk of disease.
Recombinant Protein Vaccines
Recombinant protein vaccines utilize specific proteins from the astrovirus to stimulate an immune response. This technology allows for the production of antigens that can be administered to induce immunity without the risk associated with live or inactivated viruses. For example, the viral capsid proteins have been targets for vaccine development due to their role in eliciting neutralizing antibodies. This approach has the potential for cross-protection against multiple serotypes of astroviruses.
The success of mRNA vaccines against various pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, has opened new avenues for astrovirus vaccine development. mRNA vaccines work by introducing a segment of the viral mRNA encoding for specific antigens, prompting the host's cells to produce the corresponding proteins and stimulate an immune response. This innovative approach can accelerate vaccine development timelines and allow for rapid modifications in response to variations in the virus.
Therapeutics Development for Astrovirus Infection
Antiviral Compounds
Nitazoxanide, a broad-spectrum anti-infective drug, has demonstrated in vitro and in vivo efficacy against astroviruses. It inhibits viral replication by targeting a stage in the viral life cycle following entry and uncoating but before structural protein production.
Immunomodulatory Therapies
Given the role of the immune system in controlling astrovirus infection, immunomodulatory therapies aim to enhance or regulate the host's immune response to the virus. These therapies can involve the use of interferons, cytokines, or other immune modulators to boost the body's natural defense mechanisms against astroviruses.
Our Services
Our services encompass a comprehensive suite of solutions aimed at developing effective vaccines and therapies against astrovirus infections. We specialize in:
- Designing and producing recombinant subunit vaccines targeting key antigenic sites of astroviruses.
- Developing nucleic acid vaccines that harness the power of modern molecular biology.
- Formulating antiviral compounds that inhibit astrovirus replication at various stages of the viral life cycle.
- Creating immunomodulatory therapies that bolster the host's immune response to astrovirus infections.
With our cutting-edge platforms, we provide comprehensive solutions for the development of vaccines and therapeutics for astrovirus infection. You can click on the link below to learn more.
Disease Models
- Murine Models: the mice were experimentally infected with murine astrovirus (MuAstV) isolated from immunocompromised mice.
- Turkey Poult Models: turkey poults were orally infected with turkey astrovirus strain 2 (TAstV-2)
Our rigorous preclinical research services focus on evaluating the safety and efficacy of vaccine candidates and antiviral agents. We employ various animal models to assess immune responses, viral load reductions, and overall clinical outcomes, ensuring that our candidates meet the highest standards before progressing to clinical trials. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.
References
- Hargest Virginia, et al. "Astrovirus replication is inhibited by nitazoxanide in vitro and in vivo." Journal of virology 94.5 (2020): 10-1128.
- Hargest, Virginia, et al. "Human astroviruses: a tale of two strains." Viruses 13.3 (2021): 376.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use
only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
