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MMR + varicella zoster vaccine (MMRV zoster vaccine)

✓ Approved

GSK · Vaccine · Vaccine

What is MMR + varicella zoster vaccine?

MMR + varicella zoster vaccine is a vaccine developed by GSK. It is approved for therapeutic indications via injectable (others) or intramuscular (im) injection or subcutaneous injection.

Drug Profile

Brand NamesMMRV zoster vaccine
CompanyGSK
Drug ClassVaccine, Large Molecules
RouteInjectable (Others), Intramuscular (IM) Injection, Subcutaneous Injection
StatusApproved
Sources: ClinicalTrials.gov, GSK

Therapeutic Indications

MMR + varicella zoster vaccine is developed for 3 unique indications across 1 therapeutic area.

Therapeutic AreaConditionPhase
Infections and infestationsSalmonellosis✓ Approved
Infections and infestationsMeasles✓ Approved
Infections and infestationsVaricella zoster virus infection✓ Approved

Related Research Articles

PubMedJournal of biomedical science2026-05-24

Microglial MARCO facilitates Varicella zoster virus uptake and triggers TLR2-mediated neuroinflammation.

Lim Ji-Soo JS, Oh Soo-Jin SJ, Hur Ji-Yeun JY, Oh Subin S et al.

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a human neurotropic virus that can establish latency in sensory neurons. Microglia play a complex role during neurotropic virus infections; however, their role during VZV infection remains to be determined. In the present study, we explored the role of VZV-induced alterations in the morphodynamics and function of microglia in triggering neuroinflammation. We prepared cell-free VZV and compared replication efficiencies of wild-type (YC01) and attenuated (MAV/06, MAV) VZV in two transformed human microglial cell lines (HMC3 and HIM) and human embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived microglia (ESC-MG). Bulk RNA sequencing was used to assess molecular signatures of microglia following VZV infection in ESC-MG, and cytokine profiles were determined to further investigate neuroinflammation. To further examine the impact of VZV-induced microglial inflammation on neuronal responses, we generated ESC-derived sensory neurons (ESC-SN) and evaluated nociceptor expression and calcium flux as a readout for SN activities following microglial secretome treatment. VZV upregulates its gene and protein expression and triggered morphological changes in various microglia cultures. Transcriptomic analysis of YC01-infected ESC-MG revealed a robust induction of genes associated with antiviral innate immunity, alongside a pronounced upregulation of macrophage receptor with collagenous structure (MARCO). Functional studies demonstrated that MARCO facilitates VZV uptake in microglia by binding to the viral glycoprotein E (gE) via its C-terminal scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) domain, thereby promoting viral entry and phagocytosis. Moreover, VZV infection elicited neuroinflammation in an ORF62-dependent manner, while MARCO activation triggered toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)-mediated inflammatory signaling. This cascade further amplified the expression of pain-associated molecular mediators in an ESC-SN model, highlighting a potential mechanistic link between microglial MARCO and VZV-triggered neuropathic processes. Our results show, for the first time, that microglia are susceptible to VZV infection and identify MARCO as an important mediator for regulating TLR2-mediated neuroinflammation and promoting an upregulation of factors associated with neuropathic pain.

PMID 42177488
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PubMedBMC pregnancy and childbirth2026-05-24

Placental mitochondrial DNA mutation-related oxidative stress underlies subsequent risk of adverse prognosis in sFGR twins.

Huang Nana N, Zhi Yun Y, Jiang Hai H, Gong Xiaoli X et al.

Selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR), a serious complication of monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twin pregnancies, typically results from unequal placental sharing, especially in type II sFGR. This condition is associated with an increased risk of intrauterine death and adverse neurological outcomes in one of the twin fetuses. Mitochondria play an important role in fetal development and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations have been implicated in the pathogenesis of singleton FGR. Mutations in the mtDNA can lead tomitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. However, the role of increased placental mtDNA mutations in the pathogenesis of sFGR and their potential association with fetal growth and nervous system development remain unclear. In this study, we characterized and compared the mtDNA mutation rate (MMR) in placentas from eight pairs of type II sFGR twins and eight pairs of uncomplicated MCDA twin controls (MCDA-C). Furthermore, peripheral blood mtDNA from the mothers of both the sFGR and MCDA-C twins was sequenced to determine the differences in mtDNA heteroplasmy between the mothers and twins. The overall MMR and mutation frequencies of individual genes were analyzed separately. Mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in the placenta were investigated by immunohistochemistry. In addition, correlations between MMR, birth weight, gestational age, and brain injury were evaluated to investigate the relationship between mitochondrial defects and clinical outcomes. Whole mitochondrial genome sequencing identified a significantly higher MMR in sFGR placentas than in MCDA-C placentas, especially in respiratory chain genes (MT-ND3, MT-CYB, complex III, and complex V). Maternal peripheral blood MMR did not differ significantly between sFGR and MCDA-C groups. However, analysis of mtDNA heteroplasmy revealed a significantly greater mother-twin heteroplasmy difference in sFGR pairs than in MCDA-C pairs. Immunohistochemical staining showed increased PARKIN-mitochondria colocalization, 8-OHdG and cleaved caspase 3 signals in sFGR placentas, particularly in placentas from growth-restricted smaller twins (sFGR-S), suggesting increased mitochondrial damage, cellular oxidative stress, and apoptosis. In the correlation analysis, the placental MMR was negatively correlated with birth weight and gestational age at delivery. Notably, the incidence of fetal brain injury, especially periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), was higher in sFGR twins and was positively associated with the MMR. Placental mtDNA mutations and related oxidative stress are associated with adverse intrauterine environments in sFGR twins and may be associated with a higher frequency of fetal brain injury.

PMID 42177419
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PubMedJournal of ophthalmic inflammation and infection2026-05-24

PCR-confirmed severe geographic HSV-1 keratitis associated with systemic JAK inhibitor therapy.

Roels Dimitri D, Kreps Elke O EO, Houben Isabeau I, Delie Anke A et al.

Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) are successfully used for the treatment of refractory systemic autoimmune diseases. However, JAK-inhibition is known to increase the risk of infection. Herpes Zoster reactivation is the most recognised infectious complication of JAKi. Events involving herpes simplex are reported less frequently than zoster and have generally received less attention. Our goal is to raise awareness of JAKi-associated herpes simplex keratitis. This paper describes four cases of severe herpes simplex keratitis in patients treated with oral JAK inhibitors. All patients presented with a geographic epithelial keratitis. One patient presented with bilateral involvement. Viral PCR of corneal swabs demonstrated the presence of HSV-1 and absence of VZV in all patients, confirming the diagnosis of herpes simplex keratitis. The patients were treated with various oral JAK inhibitors (baricitinib, upadacitinib, ruxolitinib and abrocitinib), which demonstrated an underlying class effect. Finally, the time lapse also supports an association between the use of oral JAKi and herpetic keratitis, as evidenced by the development of HSV1-related keratitis shortly after the start of oral JAKi in 3 of the 4 patients. Clinicians should be aware of the association between the use of oral JAKi and herpes simplex keratitis. Not only can HSV1-related keratitis manifest itself in this patient group as a severe geographic keratitis, it can also occur bilaterally. An urgent ophthalmological evaluation is recommended for patients taking oral JAKi who present with unilateral or bilateral red, painful eye(s), even in the absence of periocular signs of Herpes Zoster infection.

PMID 42176150
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PubMedVaccine2026-05-24

Consultation report - gonococcal immunoassays and standards for vaccine development.

MacLennan C A CA, Davis P P, Gottlieb S L SL, Seib K L KL et al.

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted infection with adverse outcomes for sexual, reproductive and neonatal health. Additionally, the bacterium, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, has demonstrated increasing resistance against multiple classes of antimicrobials, making combatting gonorrhoea a priority for the World Health Organization. An effective vaccine would have substantial global public health benefit and a major impact on the silent pandemic of antimicrobial resistance. Several candidate gonococcal vaccines, representing a number of vaccine platforms, are in pre-clinical development. In addition, a number of clinical studies are underway to assess the efficacy of the meningococcal group B vaccine, 4CMenB, against gonorrhoea. A major challenge in comparing gonococcal vaccine candidates and vaccine-induced immune responses is the lack of standardised and harmonised immunoassays. At present, immunogenicity of the different vaccine formulations is measured through assays which have been developed independently in different laboratories. As the development of candidate gonococcal vaccines moves into clinical trials, improved harmonisation in the measurement of immunogenicity is key for comparing vaccine responses across trials. This requires international standards, including an international serum standard for gonococcal immunoassays, and a panel of standard target strains, which are currently lacking. A further complication is the lack of knowledge about immune correlates of protection against gonorrhoea, and, therefore, the most appropriate assays to use to assess the immune response to a candidate vaccine. As further data are gathered from clinical studies exploring protection against gonorrhoea provided by 4CMenB, it may be possible to discern correlates of protection, but this also requires standardised assays. A workshop was held at Keble College, Oxford, United Kingdom in April 2024, with participation from vaccine developers, regulators and assay standardisation specialists. Its goal was to advance discussions on gonococcal immunoassay standardisation priorities, including generation of a gonococcal international reference serum. The meeting discussion, outcomes and recommendations are outlined in this report.

PMID 42176439
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PubMedFish & shellfish immunology2026-05-24

Evaluation of the Immunological Efficacy of EsxA Subunit Vaccine and DNA Vaccine against Streptococcus iniae in golden pompano (Trachinotus anak).

Huang Zhiyuan Z, Sun Heng H, Wang Haoyu H, Jia Xinlei X et al.

Streptococcus iniae represents an important bacterial agent responsible for streptococcosis in marine fish, leading to substantial economic impacts in aquaculture worldwide. The development of effective vaccines is therefore a critical priority. EsxA, a conserved early-secreted and homolog of antigenic target six (ESAT-6), is involved in bacterial virulence and mediates interactions between the pathogen and its host via the type VII secretion system. In this work, EsxA was examined as a prospective vaccine antigen in golden pompano (Trachinotus anak) using both subunit and DNA vaccination strategies. Recombinant EsxA protein was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) and administered intraperitoneally as a subunit vaccine, either alone or formulated with the oil-based adjuvant Montanide ISA 763A. Concurrently, a DNA vaccine was developed by cloning the complete esxA gene into the pVAX1 vector. Vaccinated fish were subjected to challenge with S. iniae at 8 weeks post-immunization to evaluate protective efficacy and assess the host's innate and adaptive immune responses. A high level of protection against S. iniae challenge was achieved with the EsxA-based subunit vaccine, particularly when formulated with adjuvant ISA 763A, whereas the DNA vaccine elicited moderate yet statistically significant protection. Immunological profiling revealed robust antigen-specific IgM production following subunit vaccination, while DNA vaccination significantly upregulated transcription of key immune-related genes associated with antigen presentation and cellular immunity, including MHC class I and CD8α. Furthermore, nonspecific immune parameters, including catalase, lysozyme, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase activity and superoxide dismutase, were significantly elevated following vaccination, indicating potent activation of innate immune defense. Collectively, EsxA is a promising vaccine candidate against S. iniae in T. anak, and different vaccine platforms elicit distinct immune response profiles that may inform future vaccine optimization in marine aquaculture.

PMID 42176785
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PubMedVaccine2026-05-24

Evaluation of EcoCRM, virus-like particles, and mRNA as vaccine platforms against Borrelia burgdorferi.

Rocuskie-Marker Carleena M CM, Huckaby Annalisa B AB, Conaway Olivia M OM, Pyles Gage M GM et al.

Lyme disease (LD) is the most prevalent vector-borne disease in the United States, impacting ∼476,000 individuals annually with increasing incidence. Prevention relies on personal protective measures such as insecticides and tick checks, underscoring the need for new preventatives such as vaccines. In this work, the importance of vaccine platform in LD vaccine development efforts was evaluated using non-lipidated OspA as model antigen. Recombinant OspA conjugated to CRM197 (EcoCRM OspA), a virus-like particle vaccine utilizing SpyTag and SpyCatcher (OspA-SpyVLP), and an mRNA-based vaccine construct (OspA mRNA) were evaluated and compared in C3H mice using the needle injection challenge model. To determine immunogenicity, anti-OspA and anti-B. burgdorferi antibodies were quantified via ELISA and further assessed by measuring IgG subclass, antibody avidity, and presence of antibody secreting cells. All vaccine formulations were immunogenic and led to the release of similar levels of antigen-specific IgG in serum during the duration of the experiment. However, there were significant differences around two week post-boost in the presence of antibody secreting cells, ratio of IgG1/IgG2 subclasses, and antibody avidity between platforms. Protection was measured using PCR and darkfield microscopy to determine organ positivity post-challenge. Vaccination with recombinant non-lipidated OspA and OspA-SpyVLP significantly reduced the number of positive organs compared to the PBS challenged control group. Lastly, in vitro borreliacidal activity was quantified via darkfield microscopy and the highest borreliacidal activity was observed using OspA-SpyVLP sera, with titers 16-fold higher than recombinant OspA. Altogether, these data indicated that selection of vaccine platform/formulation influenced the immunogenicity and efficacy of OspA-based LD vaccines and should be considered during development.

PMID 42176436
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