Exploring Flavivirus Immunology: Insights from Dr. Giovanna Barba-Spaeth’s Seminar

Last Wednesday 19th of March LWNVIVAT project held the first seminar in their series on emergent pathogens, with a special focus on flaviviruses. Our Coordinator, Dr. Giovanna Barba-Spaeth led the seminar, titled “Flaviviruses Immunological Crosstalk: The Impact of Vaccination,” where several experts gathered to explore the complex interactions between flaviviruses and the immune system, particularly in relation to vaccination.

Understanding the Dynamics of Flavivirus Infections and Vaccine Development

Dr. Barba-Spaeth delved into the intricate dynamics of flavivirus infections and the implications of vaccination on immune responses. She discussed the challenges in developing effective vaccines for these viruses, highlighting the complexities involved in combatting flavivirus diseases.

Flaviviruses, a group of pathogenic viruses, include well-known diseases like dengue, Zika, and yellow fever, which are primarily transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks. These viruses pose significant global public health challenges, and yellow fever remains a particular concern with ongoing outbreaks in South America, where the disease has a high fatality rate.

The Yellow Fever 17D Vaccine: A Tool for Combatting Yellow Fever

Dr. Barba-Spaeth focused on the yellow fever 17D vaccine, a live-attenuated virus, which has played a crucial role in controlling the spread of yellow fever. However, she noted that the virus’s ability to adapt and spread to non-endemic areas, including temperate regions, raises concerns about potential future outbreaks.

A significant portion of the presentation addressed the immunological interactions between different flaviviruses. Dr. Barba-Spaeth explained how pre-existing immunity to one flavivirus can affect the immune response to another, specifically through a phenomenon known as antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE). ADE can worsen disease severity in secondary infections, such as when antibodies from one dengue serotype fail to neutralize other serotypes. Her research, conducted alongside Simon Rhodenfuser, investigated how prior vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) influenced immune responses to the yellow fever 17D vaccine. The study found that TBE-vaccinated individuals had higher levels of cross-reactive antibodies, potentially increasing the risk of ADE. These findings underscore the importance of considering pre-existing immunity when developing vaccines and planning immunization strategies, particularly in endemic areas.

Advancing Our Understanding of the Yellow Fever Vaccine

The seminar concluded with an overview of Yellow4Flavi

Dr. Barba-Spaeth’s insights offer a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between flaviviruses and the immune system, paving the way for more effective vaccination strategies in the future.

Read the original article on LWNVIVAT website here