# Development of an RSV vaccine for the elderly

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER · 2020 · $738,847

## Abstract

The long-term goal of this project is to develop respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine candidates for
elderly populations. RSV is a significant pathogen of the elderly rivaling influenza in its impact on the health of
this population. Currently it is estimated that RSV infections in the elderly result in 11,000 to 17,000 deaths per
year in the US and ten times that number of RSV associated hospitalizations. The worldwide population over
age 60 is predicted to reach 2.1 billion by 2050, more than a 20% increase over the current number. Such an
expansion in this population over the next few decades will pose a greatly increased public health burden
making development of elderly RSV vaccines an important priority.
 This project will develop novel virus-like particles (VLPs) as an RSV vaccine for elderly populations.
These VLPs contain the RSV pre-fusion F protein and the G protein and are built on the core proteins of the
avian Newcastle Disease Virus. They have been shown to be an effective vaccine in mice and cotton rats
(CR). Importantly, they induce high titers of anti-RSV neutralizing antibody titers in animals previously infected
with RSV (RSV primed), which mimics the adult human population. They are also effective as a maternal
vaccine protecting offspring of immunized animals from RSV challenge.
 In this project, we hypothesize that using an immunologically superior form of VLP associated pre-F
RSV protein in a reproducible and representative human model of RSV infections, we will be able to produce
enhanced protective RSV immune responses in the elderly that will surpass those of standard pre-F RSV
protein vaccines.
 Using RSV experienced, elderly cotton rats as human surrogates, we propose three specific aims to
develop these VLPs as an RSV vaccine for elderly populations.
 Aim 1: to ascertain if pre-fusion F VLP immunization of elderly CRs will recall RSV memory induced in
young CRs.
Aim 2: to determine if pre-fusion F VLP immunization of RSV primed, young CRs can result in
protective antibodies in elderly CR with or without a second VLP boost immunization.
Aim 3: to assess if VLP induced protective responses in elderly CRs can be further augmented by
adjusted doses of VLPs, route of immunization, or addition of adjuvants.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9971845
- **Project number:** 1R01AI143896-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Trudy G. Morrison
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $738,847
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-03-02 → 2025-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9971845

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9971845, Development of an RSV vaccine for the elderly (1R01AI143896-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9971845. Licensed CC0.

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