biostudies-arrayexpressYeranddy AlpizarMacaca mulattahttps://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/E-MTAB-15887In this study, we designed and assessed the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a chimeric live-attenuated vaccine derived from the yellow fever 17D (YF17D) backbone engineered to express ZIKV antigens. We immunized rhesus macaques with two subcutaneous doses, which rapidly induced neutralizing antibodies and balanced Th1/Th2 responses similar to YF17D. Passive serum transfer protected AG129 mice, confirming antibodies as a key correlate of protection. Upon high-dose ZIKV challenge, vaccinated macaques showed no detectable viral RNA or NS1 seroconversion, indicating sterilizing immunity. Systems analyses revealed TNFRSF17, GNAS, and CD207 as biomarkers linked to antibody responses and immune outcomes. Overall, our workflow demonstrates that YF-ZIK is safe, strongly immunogenic, and protective, supporting its progression to human trials.biostudies-arrayexpressSample Collection - Whole-blood RNA from vaccinated and control macaques was profiled using the NanoString nCounter platform at defined time points before and after vaccination and challenge to identify gene expression changes linked to immune protection.Nucleic Acid Extraction - Total RNA was extracted from whole blood samples collected in PAXgene™ Blood RNA tubes using the PAXgene Blood RNA Kit (PreAnalytiX) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. RNA quantity and integrity were assessed using a NanoDrop spectrophotometer and Agilent Bioanalyzer.Hybridization - Samples were hybridized to unique capture/reporter pairs (50 bp each) targeting 770 transcripts (754 immune) transcripts and 16 housekeeping genes present in the “Non-human Primate Immunology” Panel V2, as well as 6 positive and 8 negative control probes (all from NanoString).Labeling - Total RNA (50–300 ng) is hybridized with target-specific probe pairs for 16–18 h at 65 °C. Each probe pair consists of a biotinylated capture probe and a fluorescently barcoded reporter probe.Scaning - Post-hybridization processing and scanning were performed on the NanoString nCounter® Prep Station and Digital Analyzer according to the manufacturer’s standard protocol. Cartridges were prepared by the Prep Station, and digital counts were collected using the nCounter Digital Analyzer.MIAME ScoreRaw DataOrganizationAssays and DataProcessed DataMAGE-TAB FilesArray DesignsData Transformation - Raw Reporter Code Count (RCC) files were imported into nSolver™ Analysis Software (NanoString Technologies). Data were normalized using internal positive controls and the geometric mean of selected housekeeping genes according to NanoString’s recommended procedures. Background correction was applied using the mean + 2 SD of negative controls. Values represent background-corrected, normalized NanoString nCounter digital counts (arbitrary units) proportional to the number of target transcripts detected.UnknownTranscriptomicsGenomicsProteomicstranscription profiling by arrayMacaca mulattaImmunological and transcriptomic profile of chimeric live-attenuated Zika vaccine linked to protection in non-human primatesJi Ma, Bert Malengier-Devlies, Babs E. Verstrepen, Yeranddy A. Alpizar, Thomas Vercruysse, Mahadesh Prasad Arkalagud Javarappa, Lorena Sanchez-Felipe, Gerrit Koopman, Natasja G. de Groot, Patrick Matthys, Johan Neyts, Ernst J. Verschoor, Lotte Coelmont, Hendrik Jan Thibaut, Johan Van Weyenbergh, Kai DallmeierYeranddy AlpizarfalseEvaluation of a chimeric YF-ZIK vaccine candidate in rhesus macaquesIn this study, we designed and assessed the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a chimeric live-attenuated vaccine derived from the yellow fever 17D (YF17D) backbone engineered to express ZIKV antigens. We immunized rhesus macaques with two subcutaneous doses, which rapidly induced neutralizing antibodies and balanced Th1/Th2 responses similar to YF17D. Passive serum transfer protected AG129 mice, confirming antibodies as a key correlate of protection. Upon high-dose ZIKV challenge, vaccinated macaques showed no detectable viral RNA or NS1 seroconversion, indicating sterilizing immunity. Systems analyses revealed TNFRSF17, GNAS, and CD207 as biomarkers linked to antibody responses and immune outcomes. Overall, our workflow demonstrates that YF-ZIK is safe, strongly immunogenic, and protective, supporting its progression to human trials.2025-10-28T00:00:00Z2025-10-28T11:49:37.33Z2025-10-28T09:04:32.375ZE-MTAB-15887EFO_0002768EFO_0002944EFO_0003814EFO_0003813EFO_0005518EFO_0003816EFO_0003815