Chikungunya is an expanding concern for global health with its extensive symptoms. The illness is marked with an intense fever, rash as well as excruciating pain in the joints and can be solely transferred through Aedes mosquitoes. Based on its characteristics, developing a suitable therapeutic or a vaccine seems highly remarkable. Our company provides comprehensive solutions including preclinical research, vaccine formulation and therapeutic development.
Overview of Chikungunya
The Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), a member of the Togaviridae family, is an arthritogenic virus that belongs to the alpha virus genus. first recognized in Tanzania in the early 1950s CHIKV has become a menace to the health of the population across the globe. It is most often transmitted to humans via bites of infected Aedes mosquitoes, including Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The infection can cause febrile illness with high grade fever, rash and joint pains for a few months to even years, chronic arthralgia can be observed as well.
Fig.1 Schematic representation of the CHIKV genome. (Schmidt C., et al., 2022)
Vaccine Development for Chikungunya
- Virus-Like Particles (VLPs)
Virus- Like particles (VLPs) are non-infectious forms built in the likeness of a specific virulent structure containing virulent proteins but not any genetic materials. VLPs came into favor in vaccine constructions as they are able to stimulate robust B and T-cell mediated and humoral immunity. Research has found that CHIKV VLPs are capable of inducing neutralizing antibodies and protection in animal models therefore making it a potential safe vaccine candidate.
- Chimeric Vaccines
Chimeric vaccines have been developed to improve the efficacy of the immunogenic appeal of CHIKV by integrating it with different viral vectors. There has been an effort to look into several strategies which include but are not limited to to:
Measles Virus-Based Chimeras
CHIKV proteins are coded into the measles virus backbone and this innovation takes advantage of the great immunogenicity offered by measles vaccines. Initial clinical evaluations show good tolerability and immunogenicity.
Alphavirus-Based Chimeras
Developed from closely related alphaviruses, these vaccines have the potential to confer great immune responses. Research has highlighted their efficacy in surviving such models which suggests a possible way forward to human studies.
Vaccinia Virus-Based Chimeras
The method makes use of the vaccinia virus to implant CHIKV antigens. Initial data suggest that immunized subjects possess strong immune responses thus warranting more research.
Therapeutics Development for Chikungunya
In the last few years, research and development of Chikungaunya therapeutic has advanced greatly with emphasis on the use of antiviral agents, use of immunomodulatory therapies, and host-targeted mechanisms. Antiviral therapies, for instance, preclude the replication of viruses, whereas immunomodulatory therapies work to manage the host's immune system to relieve the symptoms and stave off more serious complications. Host-targeting therapies on the other hand are directed at inhibiting host factors necessary for the virus to replicate.
Table 1 Therapeutic candidates under development and primary characteristics of each candidate. (Schmidt C., et al., 2022)
|
Type of therapeutic |
Compound(s) |
Model system(s) |
CHIKV strain(s) (genotype) |
| Known antiviral |
Ribavirin |
Vero cell culture |
Ross C347 (ECSA) |
| Ribavirin and interferon alpha |
Vero cell culture |
181/25 (vaccine strain) (Asian) |
| Ribavirin and doxycycline |
Vero cell culture, ICR mice |
Clinical isolate (ECSA) |
| Picolinic acid |
Vero cell culture |
DRDE-06 (ECSA) |
| Niclosamide |
BHK-21 cell culture |
S27 (ECSA), 0611aTw (ECSA), 0810bTw (ECSA) |
| Nitazoxanide |
BHK-21 cell culture |
S27 (ECSA), 0611aTw (ECSA), 0810bTw (ECSA) |
| Curcumin |
HeLa, BHK-21, Vero E6 |
06-049 (ECSA |
| Known antimicrobial |
Flavaglines |
HEK293T17 cell culture |
Thai isolate (ECSA) |
| Suramin |
BHK-21, U2O8, MRC-5 cell culture |
S27 (ECSA) |
| Flavanoid (silymarin) |
Vero, BHK-21 cell culture |
My/065/08/FN295485 (ECSA) |
| Flavonoid (baicalein) |
Vero cell culture |
FN295485 (ECSA) |
| Cardiac glycoside (lanatoside C) |
BHK cell culture |
D1225Y08 (ECSA) |
| Cardiac glycoside (lanatoside C) |
BHK cell culture |
D1225Y08 (ECSA) |
| Designer molecules |
nsP2 protease inhibitors (dimethyl benzaldehyde derivative) |
BHK-21 cell culture |
LR2006 OPY1 (ECSA) |
| Benzimidazole derivative (compound A) |
Vero cell culture |
SL10571, S27, (ECSA) BaH306 (Asian) |
| Nucleic acids |
Oligonucleotide (PMO) targeting AUG of ORFs |
HeLa cell culture |
SGEHICHD122508 (ECSA) |
| siRNA (against nsP3, E1) |
Vero E6 cell culture |
DRCE06 (ECSA) |
| siRNA (against nsP1, E2) |
Vero E6 cell culture |
061573 (ECSA) |
| Monoclonal antibodies |
Human MAb C9 |
HEK293T cell culture |
S27 (ECSA) |
| Mouse MAb CK47 (anti-E1) |
293, Vero, B7, PAI cell culture |
SL11131, clinical isolate (ECSA) |
| Host cell targets |
Prostratin |
BGM, Vero, HEL, CRL-2522 cell culture |
CHIKV-899 (ECSA) |
| Multiple small-molecule inhibitors (i.e., TOFA, pimozide) |
HEK293 cell culture |
C21 (not specified) |
Our Services
Our company has done quite extensive work in Chikungunya and that allows us to provide an end to end service for significantly advancing vaccines and therapies. We are also equipped with the best methods which allow us to expedite the development of promising solutions.
Disease Models
- Lethal Neonatal Challenge Models
- Immunocompromised Models of Lethal Disease
- Arthritis/Myositis Models
- Chronic/Persistent Models
- Nonhuman Primate (NHP) Models
Preclinical Research
- Pharmacodynamics Study Services
- Pharmacokinetics Study Services
- Drug Safety Evaluation Services
- Customized Research Services
Our preclinical research services provide the foundational scientific support necessary for the development of vaccines and therapies. We offer a range of services, including viral characterization, immunological assessments, and efficacy testing in animal models, ensuring that our clients have the data and insights needed to advance their products through the development pipeline. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.
References
- Schmidt, Christin, and Barbara S. Schnierle. "Chikungunya vaccine candidates: current landscape and future prospects." Drug Design, Development and Therapy (2022): 3663-3673.
- Powers, Ann M. "Vaccine and therapeutic options to control chikungunya virus." Clinical microbiology reviews 31.1 (2018): 10-1128.
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