Development and Evaluation of Novel Protein Vaccines against <i>Streptococcus pneumoniae</i>

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Background

Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) is the prominent causative agent of bacterial pneumonia, meningitis, and septicaemia and causes high morbidity and high mortality, especially in children and the elderly population. Despite the widespread use of pneumococcal polysaccharide-based vaccines (PPVs) and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs), there are still some defects such as serotypes dependence and serotypes replacement. Vaccines based on proteins allow for a wider selection of conserved sites, overcoming the limitations of serotypes. And there is an opportunity to reduce the cost of vaccine preparation to benefit more people in developing countries. Recently, research on pneumococcal vaccines has flourished with the application of modern immunology technologies in combination with bioinformatics technology. Increasingly sophisticated recombinant protein expression technology has provided more possibilities for the screening of target antigens, as well as the translation of vaccines from theory to practical application. In addition, non-invasive vaccination modes (such as mucosal immunization) can also improve the protection of the upper respiratory tract while reducing the pain of vaccination.

The purpose of the Research Topic is to bring together advances in the area of pneumococcal protein vaccines. We focus on the full-cycle research of pneumococcal protein vaccines, including antigenic target screening, computer-aided vaccine design, vaccine candidate protein expression, vaccine manufacturing and material modification, and the protective/neutralization efficacy of vaccines/antiserum in animals and cells models, as well as the molecular immunological mechanisms. Also, we follow the development of novel pneumococcal vaccine adjuvants and delivery systems, including different vaccination routes, and the corresponding protective efficacy, as well as the evaluation of polyvalent pathogens vaccines.

For this Research Topic, we are asking for Original Research, Brief Research Report, Review and Mini Review, Hypothesis and Theory, Methods, Opinion, Perspective, Editorial, and General Commentary. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Screen of pneumococcal proteins for vaccine development.
- Computer-aided pneumococcal protein vaccine design.
- Protein-based vaccine manufacturing and modification (e.g. nanotechnology).
- Protective efficacy of pneumococcal protein vaccines in vitro and in vivo.
- Mechanism of pneumococcal protein vaccines against bacterial adhesion, colonization and invasion.
- Evaluation of protein vaccines against polyvalent pathogens including Streptococcus pneumoniae.
- Novel adjuvants or delivery systems/routes.
- Epidemiological characteristics (e.g. serotypes, STs) of pathogenic strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the post-PCVs era.

Keywords: Streptococcus pneumoniae, pneumococcus, protein vaccines, public health

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