# Development of a Virus-Like Particle Vaccine for Powassan Virus

> **NIH NIH R01** · OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $478,362

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
This proposal is focused on developing a vaccine for prevention of Powassan virus (POWV)- associated disease.
POWV is a tick-borne flavivirus currently endemic to North America, primarily in the northeastern and north-
central regions of the United States and extending north into Canada. Due to the expanding range of Ixodid tick
vectors, POWV has the potential to become an emerging pathogen and public health threat. In humans, POWV
is a neurotropic virus that can lead to severe, sometimes fatal encephalitis and meningitis. We propose to
develop a vaccine based on non-replicating virus-like particle (VLP) antigens produced by expression of the viral
pre-membrane (prM) and envelope (E) proteins in cultured cells followed by purification of VLP from the culture
supernatant. VLPs will be paired with one of several novel vaccine adjuvants that stimulate specific pattern
recognition receptors (PRRs). Each antigen/ adjuvant pairing will be tested in mice to quantify elicitation of
neutralizing antibodies and POWV-specific T cells. We will also characterize B- and T-cell phenotypes in detail
to determine how the vaccine-driven response compares to infection with intact POWV. Similarly to humans,
POWV infection of wild-type laboratory mice results in lethal infection of the brain and CNS. Therefore, we will
also evaluate vaccine efficacy in a challenge model of POWV infection in mice. Cohorts of mice vaccinated with
individual antigen/ adjuvant pairings will be challenged with a lethal dose of POWV. These cohorts will be
evaluated for increased survival, as well as, for reduction of viral load in tissues at multiple times post infection.
Upon completion of this project, we expect to have developed an optimally formulated POWV vaccine which
could move forward to clinical testing and be rapidly mobilized in the event of POWV emergence.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10845304
- **Project number:** 5R01AI152192-05
- **Recipient organization:** OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** ALEC J HIRSCH
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $478,362
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-06-01 → 2026-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10845304

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10845304, Development of a Virus-Like Particle Vaccine for Powassan Virus (5R01AI152192-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10845304. Licensed CC0.

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