SARS-CoV-2: Researchers test promising vaccine on the Basis of a smallpox virus

According to official Figures, have been infected worldwide, more than 4.5 million people with the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. The spread of the new pathogen to contain, is set, especially on “social distancing”. According to a model study, the social Isolation would have to be obtained approximately by the year 2022 to maintain, if not before, vaccination against the Virus is available. On the search for a suitable means of a smallpox vaccine might help.

More and more people are wondering what time is the first vaccine against this new Coronavirus is available. Worldwide, researchers work on vaccines at the end of. In Germany, recently awarded the first permit to test such people. Also, scientists from Hannover are now reporting on a vaccine that could help against SARS-CoV-2.

The vaccine search is also set to old Acquaintances

As the Hannover Medical school (MHH), in a recent communication, the science on the search for a suitable vaccine against the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 sometimes of old friends.

In cooperation with the Ludwig-Maxi-Milan-University (LMU) Munich, Institute for immunology, MHH tests under the supervision of Professor Dr. Reinhold Förster a lot of vaccine to be promising, on the Basis of a smallpox virus.

The data indicate that the Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara (MVA) has been used since the beginning of the 1990s, as the ferry to the genetic material in the cells of the body to inject and trigger an immune reaction.

Vaccination is also effective for people

In the current case, the scientists in the smallpox vaccine want also allows the Instructions for the so – called Spike or S Protein paste, which is located on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 and the infection of cells.

As the notice explains, is intended to stimulate the Virus after vaccination, the body’s own immune system to form protective antibodies against the Coronavirus.

“A genetically modified MVA was developed by my colleague from Munich, Mr Professor Dr. Gerd Suttner already against the related MERS Virus and camels tested”, explains Professor Forester. “The animals were a successful vaccine against the MERS Virus immune.”

In a further study has just been confirmed that the vaccination works in humans. Now, the smallpox vaccine to be used against the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, and first tested on mice.

The vaccine is administered via the respiratory tract

The LMU wants to test the new Impfvektor and mice with the genetically modified MVA vaccination. However, unlike in Munich, the researchers will try in Hannover a new approach. You administer the vaccine via the respiratory tract.

“The Vaccination by Inhalation has, in our view, the advantage that a particularly strong immune response right there is triggered, where the Virus hit particularly hard, namely in the lung,” says the immunologist.

If the vaccination in the animal’s attempt is successful, should MVA be-SARS-CoV-2-S also of people tested. The Institute for immunology, MHH want to perform together with clinical partners, a study with 30 Participants.

Development of a new test for the detection of SARS-CoV-2

The scientific Team but does not want to investigate only whether the vaccination actually produces antibodies against the Virus. Professor Forester would also like to develop a new Test for the detection of SARS-CoV-2.

The information that should not be detected with this new Test only antibodies against the Virus, but also the question of will protect, answer, how good is this from re-infection.

“It is important to identify all the people who have an infection without symptoms of the disease and are now immune to it.” (ad)