Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a pan-fungal vaccine in preclinical models of aspergillosis, candidiasis, and pneumocystosis.

Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a pan-fungal vaccine in preclinical models of aspergillosis, candidiasis, and pneumocystosis.

Author:

Rayens E, Rabacal W, Willems HME, Kirton GM, Barber JP, Mousa JJ, Celia-Sanchez BN, Momany M, Norris KA.

Date: 4 November 2022

Abstract:

Invasive fungal infections cause over 1.5 million deaths worldwide. Despite increases in fungal infections as well as the numbers of individuals at risk, there are no clinically approved fungal vaccines. We produced a “pan-fungal” peptide, NXT-2, based on a previously identified vaccine candidate and homologous sequences from Pneumocystis, Aspergillus,Candida, and Cryptococcus. We evaluated the immunogenicity and protective capacity of NXT-2 in murine and nonhuman primate models of invasive aspergillosis, systemic candidiasis, and pneumocystosis. NXT-2 was highly immunogenic and immunized animals had decreased mortality and morbidity compared to nonvaccinated animals following induction of immunosuppression and challenge with Aspergillus, Candida, or Pneumocystis. Data in multiple animal models support the concept that immunization with a pan-fungal vaccine prior to immunosuppression induces broad, cross-protective antifungal immunity in at-risk individuals.

Keywords: Aspergillus; Candida; Pneumocystis; fungal vaccine; mycoses.

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