# A Neonatal Monkey Model of Tuberculosis Vaccination

> **NIH NIH R01** · METHODIST HOSPITAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE · 2021 · $893,080

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is the leading cause of mortality due to
infections today with more than 2 million deaths worldwide. BCG vaccine derived from
Mycobacterium bovis is the only approved human vaccine although, it has a partial efficacy against
childhood and adult tuberculosis. Since BCG lacks certain genes of wild type M. tuberculosis many
recombinant BCG vaccine strains have been prepared and evaluated in animal models. Based on the
observation that human neonates respond better to vaccine antigens when stimulated with Toll-like
receptor (TLR) adjuvants, we constructed a novel recombinant BCG vaccine that expresses a
peptide stimulating TLR-2 (TLR-BCG). This vaccine protected mice better than wild type BCG
vaccine. We also developed a novel neonatal monkey model to evaluate vaccine effects against
tuberculosis. This project will verify the hypothesis that, TLR-BCG vaccine will be more efficient
than wild type BCG vaccine in generating stronger and longer lasting immune responses against
tuberculosis in NHPs. Specific Aim-1A: We will evaluate TH1 immune responses induced by wild
type BCG and recombinant TLR-BCG in the neonatal monkey model. We will determine if TLR-BCG
induces qualitatively different primary T cell immune responses in NHPs compared with a natural
infection with M. tuberculosis and correlate vaccine-induced protection against aerosol induced
tuberculosis in NHPs. Specific Aim -2: We will evaluate long-term efficacy of TLR-BCG vaccines
using a prime boost strategy with the neonatal monkey model. These studies are likely to lead to
generate a better primary vaccine against tuberculosis, and a more efficient better booster vaccine
for children already vaccinated with wt-BCG.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10173619
- **Project number:** 5R01AI122070-05
- **Recipient organization:** METHODIST HOSPITAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE
- **Principal Investigator:** Marie-Claire Elisabeth Gauduin
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $893,080
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-06-01 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10173619

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10173619, A Neonatal Monkey Model of Tuberculosis Vaccination (5R01AI122070-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10173619. Licensed CC0.

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