Systems Biology-Based Platforms to Accelerate Research of Emerging Infectious Diseases

Oh, Soo-Jin; Choi, Young-Ki; Shin, Ok Sarah

Recent studies have used systems biology approaches to identify molecular networks that orchestrate immunity to vaccinations in humans and potentially define correlates of pro-tection. 10, 11, [70] [71] [72] [73] [74] [75] [76] [77] [78] [79] [80] The first attempt at this approach was made with one of the most successful vaccines ever developed, the yellow fever YF-17D vaccine. 70, 81 As a live attenuated virus vaccine, a single shot of the yellow fever vaccine can confer protection in more than 90% of vaccinees, and it results in long-lasting immunity, a strong neutralizing antibody response, and a robust T cell response. Two independent groups have simultaneously published gene expression profiling data of blood samples from vaccinees within a few days after vaccination. 70, 82 These molecular signatures helped researchers predict the magnitude of vaccine-induced immunity and provided novel insights into the dynamic nature of the innate and adaptive immune responses to YF-17D vaccine. In particular, Querec, et al. 70 reported that EIF2AK4 (also known as GCN2), a known sensor of low amino acid levels inside the cell, was frequently found in the blood of vaccinees and was strongly correlated with the magnitude of the later CD8 T cell response to YF-17D vaccine.