Virulence and immune evasion strategies of FMDV: implications for vaccine design and countermeasure strategies

Authors: Medina, Gisselle; DIAZ-SAN SEGUNDO, FAYNA - National Institutes Of Health (NIH)

Submitted to: Vaccines
Publication Type: Literature Review
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/10/2024
Publication Date: 9/19/2024
Citation: Medina, G.N., Diaz-San Segundo, F. 2024. Virulence and immune evasion strategies of FMDV: implications for vaccine design and countermeasure strategies. Vaccines. 12(9):1071. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12091071.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12091071

Interpretive Summary: Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) causes foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), one of the most economically devastating diseases in the livestock industry worldwide. Vaccination remains an important preventive and responsive measure against FMD. Improvement of current vaccine platforms can help control outbreaks in endemic areas and contribute to the eventual eradication of the disease, reducing the economic burden on farmers and enhancing livestock productivity. This review serves as an important foundation for translating our insights into the rational design of vaccines and countermeasure strategies including the use of interferon as a biotherapeutic agent. Ultimately, in this review we aim to bridge the gap between our understanding of FMDV biology and the practical approaches to control and potentially eradicate FMD.

Technical Abstract: Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is a highly contagious positive sense single-stranded RNA virus that causes foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), one of the most economically devastating diseases in the livestock industry worldwide. Vaccination remains a crucial preventive and responsive measure against FMD. Improvement of current vaccine platforms can help control outbreaks in endemic areas and contribute to the eventual eradication of the disease, reducing the economic burden on farmers and enhancing livestock productivity. In this review, we describe the variances in virulence and immune responses among FMD-susceptible host species, specifically bovines and pigs, highlighting the details of host-pathogen interactions and their impact on the severity of disease. This knowledge serves as an important foundation for translating our insights into the rational design of vaccines and countermeasures strategies including the use of interferon as a biotherapeutic agent. Ultimately, in this review we aim to bridge the gap between our understanding of FMDV biology and the practical approaches to control and potentially eradicate FMD.