About this Research Topic
African swine fever (ASF) is a devastating disease caused by the African swine fever virus (ASFV), posing a significant threat to the global pig industry and leading to substantial economic losses. Despite extensive research efforts, no commercial vaccines are currently available, and the development of effective vaccines remains in the experimental phase. Recent advancements have been made using various technical approaches, including inactivation, attenuation, subunit, viral vector, and DNA vaccines. These efforts have led to promising ASF vaccine candidates that have shown potential in preclinical trials. However, challenges persist, particularly concerning the safety of attenuated vaccines and the limited protective efficacy of inactivated, subunit, and viral vector vaccines. A critical gap in the field is the incomplete understanding of ASFV gene functions, with more than half of the genes remaining undefined. Addressing these gaps is crucial for advancing vaccine development and improving ASFV control strategies.
This research topic aims to explore the undefined gene functions during ASFV infection, focusing on identifying genes related to immune protection and virulence. The primary objective is to enhance the development and evaluation of ASF vaccine candidates, addressing the challenges of creating safe and effective vaccines. By investigating these gene functions, the research seeks to provide insights and technical support for establishing comprehensive ASFV control measures. Key questions include which ASFV genes are critical for immune protection and how these can be targeted to improve vaccine efficacy.
To gather further insights into the gene functions and pathogenesis of ASFV, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Undefined gene function, especially immune protection-related genes during ASFV infection
- Safe and high-efficiency vaccine candidates against ASF or potential new insights contributing to ASF vaccine development
- Potential drug targets, small molecular compounds, or antibodies for the inhibition or treatment of ASFV
This research topic aims to explore the undefined gene functions during ASFV infection, focusing on identifying genes related to immune protection and virulence. The primary objective is to enhance the development and evaluation of ASF vaccine candidates, addressing the challenges of creating safe and effective vaccines. By investigating these gene functions, the research seeks to provide insights and technical support for establishing comprehensive ASFV control measures. Key questions include which ASFV genes are critical for immune protection and how these can be targeted to improve vaccine efficacy.
To gather further insights into the gene functions and pathogenesis of ASFV, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Undefined gene function, especially immune protection-related genes during ASFV infection
- Safe and high-efficiency vaccine candidates against ASF or potential new insights contributing to ASF vaccine development
- Potential drug targets, small molecular compounds, or antibodies for the inhibition or treatment of ASFV
Keywords: African Swine Fever Virus, Gene function, Pathogenesis, vaccine candidate, Antiviral infection
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
