Scientific Publications by FDA Staff

Plant Biotechnol J 2016 Nov;14(11):2190-2200

Cold chain and virus free chloroplast-made booster vaccine to confer immunity against different polio virus serotypes.

Chan HT, Xiao Y, Weldon WC, Oberste SM, Chumakov K, Daniell H

The WHO recommends complete withdrawal of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) Type 2 by April 2016 globally and replacing with at least one dose of Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV). However, high-cost, limited supply of IPV, persistent circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses transmission and need for subsequent boosters remain unresolved. To meet this critical need, a novel strategy of a low cost cold-chain free plant-made viral protein 1 (VP1) subunit oral booster vaccine after single IPV dose is reported. Codon optimization of the VP1 gene enhanced expression by 50-fold in chloroplasts. Oral boosting of VP1 expressed in plant cells with plant-derived adjuvants after single priming with IPV significantly increased VP1-IgG1 and VP1-IgA titers when compared to lower IgG1 or negligible IgA titers with IPV injections. IgA plays a pivotal role in polio eradication because of its transmission through contaminated water or sewer systems. Neutralizing antibody titers (~3.17-10.17 log2 titer) and serpositivity (70-90%) against all three poliovirus Sabin serotypes were observed with two doses of IPV and plant-cell oral boosters but single dose of IPV resulted in poor neutralization. Lyophilized plant cells expressing VP1 stored at ambient temperature maintained efficacy and preserved antigen folding/assembly indefinitely, thereby eliminating cold-chain currently required for all vaccines. Replacement of OPV with this booster vaccine and the next steps in clinical translation of FDA approved antigens and adjuvants are discussed.