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Abitbol V, Martinón-Torres F, Taha MK, Nolan T, Muzzi A, Bambini S, Borrow R, Toneatto D, Serino L, Rappuoli R, Pizza M. 4CMenB journey to the 10-year anniversary and beyond. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2024; 20:2357924. [PMID: 38976659 PMCID: PMC11232649 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2357924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The 4-component meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) vaccine, 4CMenB, the first broadly protective, protein-based MenB vaccine to be licensed, is now registered in more than 50 countries worldwide. Real-world evidence (RWE) from the last decade confirms its effectiveness and impact, with infant immunization programs showing vaccine effectiveness of 71-95% against invasive MenB disease and cross-protection against non-B serogroups, including a 69% decrease in serogroup W cases in 4CMenB-eligible cohorts in England. RWE from different countries also demonstrates the potential for additional moderate protection against gonorrhea in adolescents. The real-world safety profile of 4CMenB is consistent with prelicensure reports. Use of the endogenous complement human serum bactericidal antibody (enc-hSBA) assay against 110 MenB strains may enable assessment of the immunological effectiveness of multicomponent MenB vaccines in clinical trial settings. Equitable access to 4CMenB vaccination is required to better protect all age groups, including older adults, and vulnerable groups through comprehensive immunization policies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Federico Martinón-Torres
- Genetics, Vaccines and Infections Research Group (GENVIP), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago and Universidad de, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Translational Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases, Pediatrics Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Consorcio Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Muhamed-Kheir Taha
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Invasive Bacterial Infections Unit, National Reference Center for Meningococci and Haemophilus influenzae, Paris, France
| | - Terry Nolan
- Peter Doherty Institute for Infection & Immunity at University of Melbourne and Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | | | - Ray Borrow
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, UK Health Security Agency, Manchester, UK
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2
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Da Costa RM, Rooke JL, Wells TJ, Cunningham AF, Henderson IR. Type 5 secretion system antigens as vaccines against Gram-negative bacterial infections. NPJ Vaccines 2024; 9:159. [PMID: 39218947 PMCID: PMC11366766 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-024-00953-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria are leading causes of mortality worldwide. Due to the rise in antibiotic resistant strains, there is a desperate need for alternative strategies to control infections caused by these organisms. One such approach is the prevention of infection through vaccination. While live attenuated and heat-killed bacterial vaccines are effective, they can lead to adverse reactions. Newer vaccine technologies focus on utilizing polysaccharide or protein subunits for safer and more targeted vaccination approaches. One promising avenue in this regard is the use of proteins released by the Type 5 secretion system (T5SS). This system is the most prevalent secretion system in Gram-negative bacteria. These proteins are compelling vaccine candidates due to their demonstrated protective role in current licensed vaccines. Notably, Pertactin, FHA, and NadA are integral components of licensed vaccines designed to prevent infections caused by Bordetella pertussis or Neisseria meningitidis. In this review, we delve into the significance of incorporating T5SS proteins into licensed vaccines, their contributions to virulence, conserved structural motifs, and the protective immune responses elicited by these proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rochelle M Da Costa
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jessica L Rooke
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Timothy J Wells
- Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Adam F Cunningham
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ian R Henderson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
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3
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Benucci B, Spinello Z, Calvaresi V, Viviani V, Perrotta A, Faleri A, Utrio Lanfaloni S, Pansegrau W, d’Alterio L, Bartolini E, Pinzuti I, Sampieri K, Giordano A, Rappuoli R, Pizza M, Masignani V, Norais N, Maione D, Merola M. Neisserial adhesin A (NadA) binds human Siglec-5 and Siglec-14 with high affinity and promotes bacterial adhesion/invasion. mBio 2024; 15:e0110724. [PMID: 39041817 PMCID: PMC11323535 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01107-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Neisserial adhesin A (NadA) is a meningococcal surface protein included as recombinant antigen in 4CMenB, a protein-based vaccine able to induce protective immune responses against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (MenB). Although NadA is involved in the adhesion/invasion of epithelial cells and human myeloid cells, its function in meningococcal physiology is still poorly understood. To clarify the role played by NadA in the host-pathogen interaction, we sought to identify its cellular receptors. We screened a protein microarray encompassing 2,846 human and 297 mouse surface/secreted recombinant proteins using recombinant NadA as probe. Efficient NadA binding was revealed on the paired sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-type lectins receptors 5 and 14 (Siglec-5 and Siglec-14), but not on Siglec-9 therein used as control. The interaction was confirmed by biochemical tools with the determination of the KD value in the order of nanomolar and the identification of the NadA binding site by hydrogen-deuterium exchange coupled to mass spectrometry. The N-terminal domain of the Siglec-5 that recognizes the sialic acid was identified as the NadA binding domain. Intriguingly, exogenously added recombinant soluble Siglecs, including Siglec-9, were found to decorate N. meningitidis surface in a NadA-dependent manner. However, Siglec-5 and Siglec-14 transiently expressed in CHO-K1 cells endorsed NadA binding and increased N. meningitidis adhesion/invasion while Siglec-9 did not. Taken together, Siglec-5 and Siglec-14 satisfy all features of NadA receptors suggesting a possible role of NadA in the acute meningococcal infection.IMPORTANCEBacteria have developed several strategies for cell colonization and immune evasion. Knowledge of the host and pathogen factors involved in these mechanisms is crucial to build efficacious countermoves. Neisserial adhesin A (NadA) is a meningococcal surface protein included in the anti-meningococcus B vaccine 4CMenB, which mediates adhesion to and invasion of epithelial cells. Although NadA has been shown to bind to other cell types, like myeloid and endothelial cells, it still remains orphan of a defined host receptor. We have identified two strong NadA interactors, Siglec-5 and Siglec-14, which are mainly expressed on myeloid cells. This showcases that NadA is an additional and key player among the Neisseria meningitidis factors targeting immune cells. We thus provide novel insights on the strategies exploited by N. meningitidis during the infection process, which can progress to a severe illness and death.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Adhesins, Bacterial/metabolism
- Adhesins, Bacterial/genetics
- Bacterial Adhesion
- Antigens, CD/metabolism
- Antigens, CD/genetics
- Lectins/metabolism
- Lectins/genetics
- Lectins/immunology
- Animals
- Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic/metabolism
- Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic/genetics
- Host-Pathogen Interactions
- Protein Binding
- Mice
- CHO Cells
- Cricetulus
- Neisseria meningitidis/genetics
- Neisseria meningitidis/metabolism
- Neisseria meningitidis/immunology
- Recombinant Proteins/metabolism
- Recombinant Proteins/genetics
- Sialic Acid Binding Immunoglobulin-like Lectins/metabolism
- Sialic Acid Binding Immunoglobulin-like Lectins/genetics
- Epithelial Cells/microbiology
- Epithelial Cells/metabolism
- Epithelial Cells/immunology
- Meningococcal Infections/microbiology
- Meningococcal Infections/immunology
- Receptors, Cell Surface/metabolism
- Receptors, Cell Surface/genetics
- Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup B/genetics
- Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup B/immunology
- Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup B/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Valeria Calvaresi
- GSK, Siena, Italy
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Marcello Merola
- GSK, Siena, Italy
- Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
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4
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Stejskal L, Thistlethwaite A, Ramirez-Bencomo F, Rashmi S, Harrison O, Feavers IM, Maiden MCJ, Jerse A, Barnes G, Chirro O, Chemweno J, Nduati E, Cehovin A, Tang C, Sanders EJ, Derrick JP. Profiling IgG and IgA antibody responses during vaccination and infection in a high-risk gonorrhoea population. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6712. [PMID: 39112489 PMCID: PMC11306574 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51053-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Development of a vaccine against gonorrhoea is a global priority, driven by the rise in antibiotic resistance. Although Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng) infection does not induce substantial protective immunity, highly exposed individuals may develop immunity against re-infection with the same strain. Retrospective epidemiological studies have shown that vaccines containing Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) provide a degree of cross-protection against Ng infection. We conducted a clinical trial (NCT04297436) of 4CMenB (Bexsero, GSK), a licensed Nm vaccine containing OMVs and recombinant antigens, comprising a single arm, open label study of two doses with 50 adults in coastal Kenya who have high exposure to Ng. Data from a Ng antigen microarray established that serum IgG and IgA reactivities against the gonococcal homologs of the recombinant antigens in the vaccine peaked at 10 but had declined by 24 weeks. For most reactive OMV-derived antigens, the reverse was the case. A cohort of similar individuals with laboratory-confirmed gonococcal infection were compared before, during, and after infection: their reactivities were weaker and differed from the vaccinated cohort. We conclude that the cross-protection of the 4CMenB vaccine against gonorrhoea could be explained by cross-reaction against a diverse selection of antigens derived from the OMV component.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenka Stejskal
- School of Biological Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Angela Thistlethwaite
- School of Biological Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Fidel Ramirez-Bencomo
- School of Biological Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Smruti Rashmi
- School of Biological Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Odile Harrison
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK
| | - Ian M Feavers
- Department of Biology, 11a Mansfield Road, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK
| | - Martin C J Maiden
- Department of Biology, 11a Mansfield Road, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3SZ, UK
| | - Ann Jerse
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Grace Barnes
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Oscar Chirro
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | | | - Eunice Nduati
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Ana Cehovin
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Christoph Tang
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3RE, UK.
| | | | - Jeremy P Derrick
- School of Biological Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
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5
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Veggi D, Chesterman CC, Santini L, Huang Y, Pacchiani N, Sierra J, Chen L, Laliberte J, Bianchi F, Cozzi R, Frigimelica E, Maione D, Finco O, Bottomley MJ. Bactericidal human monoclonal antibody 1B1 shows specificity for meningococcal factor H binding protein variant 2 and displaces human factor H. FASEB Bioadv 2024; 6:235-248. [PMID: 39114449 PMCID: PMC11301264 DOI: 10.1096/fba.2023-00077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Thousands of disease cases and hundreds of deaths occur globally each year due to invasive meningococcal disease. Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (MenB) is the leading cause of such disease in developed countries. Two vaccines, 4CMenB and MenB-fHbp, that protect against MenB are available and include one or two forms respectively of factor H binding protein (fHbp), a key protective antigen. Studies of circulating meningococci have identified over 1380 different fHbp amino acid sequences, which form three immunologically distinct clusters, termed variants 1, 2, and 3. Neither of the current vaccines contains a variant 2 antigen, which is less well characterized than fHbp variants 1 and 3. We characterized the interaction of fHbp variant 2 with humAb 1B1 using biochemical methods and live meningococcal assays. Further, we determined the crystal structure of the complex at 2.4 Å resolution, clearly revealing the epitope and providing the first detailed report of an antibody with distinct specificity for fHbp variant 2. Extensive mutagenesis and binding studies elucidated key hotspots in the interface. This combination of structural and functional studies provides a molecular explanation for the bactericidal potency and specificity of humAb 1B1 for fHbp variant 2. Our studies, focused on fHbp variant 2, expand the understanding of this previously under characterized group of the vast family of variants of fHbp, a virulence factor present on all meningococci. Moreover, the definition of a protective conformational epitope on fHbp variant 2 may support the design and development of novel variant 2-containing MenB vaccines affording greater breadth of protection.
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6
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Tian Y, Huang S, Zhou G, Fei X, Li YA, Li Q, Wang S, Shi H. Evaluation of immunogenicity and protective efficacy of outer membrane vesicles from Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Choleraesuis. Vet Microbiol 2024; 294:110131. [PMID: 38805917 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2024.110131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are membranous structures frequently observed in Gram-negative bacteria that contain bioactive substances. These vesicles are rich in bacterial antigens that can activate the host's immune system, making them a promising candidate vaccine to prevent and manage bacterial infections. The aim of this study was to assess the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of OMVs derived from Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and S. Choleraesuis, while also focusing on enhancing OMV production. Initial experiments showed that OMVs from wild-type strains did not provide complete protection against homologous Salmonella challenge, possible due to the presence of flagella in the purified OMVs samples, which may elicit an unnecessary immune response. To address this, flagellin-deficient mutants of S. Typhimurium and S. Choleraesuis were constructed, designated rSC0196 and rSC0199, respectively. These mutants exhibited reduced cell motility and their OMVs were found to be flagellin-free. Immunization with non-flagellin OMVs derived from rSC0196 induced robust antibody responses and improved survival rates in mice, as compared to the OMVs derived from the wild-type UK-1. In order to enhance OMV production, deletions of ompA or tolR were introduced into rSC0196. The deletion of tolR not only increase the yield of OMVs, but also conferred complete protection against homologous S. Typhimurium challenge in mice. Collectively, these findings indicate that the flagellin-deficient OMVs with a tolR mutation have the potential to serve as a versatile vaccine platform, capable of inducing broad-spectrum protection against significant pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichen Tian
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Shan Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Guodong Zhou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Xia Fei
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Yu-An Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Quan Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China.
| | - Shifeng Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-0880, USA
| | - Huoying Shi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture & Agri-Product Safety (JIRLAAPS), Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China.
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7
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Muzzi A, Lu MC, Mori E, Biolchi A, Fu T, Serino L. Prediction by genetic MATS of 4CMenB vaccine strain coverage of invasive meningococcal serogroup B isolates circulating in Taiwan between 2003 and 2020. mSphere 2024; 9:e0022024. [PMID: 38752729 PMCID: PMC11338074 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00220-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (NmB) strains have diverse antigens, necessitating methods for predicting meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) vaccine strain coverage. The genetic Meningococcal Antigen Typing System (gMATS), a correlate of MATS estimates, predicts strain coverage by the 4-component MenB (4CMenB) vaccine in cultivable and non-cultivable NmB isolates. In Taiwan, 134 invasive, disease-causing NmB isolates were collected in 2003-2020 (23.1%, 4.5%, 5.2%, 29.8%, and 37.3% from individuals aged ≤11 months, 12-23 months, 2-4 years, 5-29 years, and ≥30 years, respectively). NmB isolates were characterized by whole-genome sequencing and vaccine antigen genotyping, and 4CMenB strain coverage was predicted using gMATS. Analysis of phylogenetic relationships with 502 global NmB genomes showed that most isolates belonged to three global hyperinvasive clonal complexes: ST-4821 (27.6%), ST-32 (23.9%), and ST-41/44 (14.9%). Predicted strain coverage by gMATS was 62.7%, with 27.6% isolates covered, 2.2% not covered, and 66.4% unpredictable by gMATS. Age group coverage point estimates ranged from 42.9% (2-4 years) to 66.1% (≤11 months). Antigen coverage estimates and percentages predicted as covered/not covered were highly variable, with higher estimates for isolates with one or more gMATS-positive antigens than for isolates positive for one 4CMenB antigen. In conclusion, this first study on NmB strain coverage by 4CMenB in Taiwan shows 62.7% coverage by gMATS, with predictable coverage for 29.8% of isolates. These could be underestimated since the gMATS calculation does not consider synergistic mechanisms associated with simultaneous antibody binding to multiple targets elicited by multicomponent vaccines or the contributions of minor outer membrane vesicle vaccine components.IMPORTANCEMeningococcal diseases, caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus), include meningitis and septicemia. Although rare, invasive meningococcal disease is often severe and can be fatal. Nearly all cases are caused by six meningococcal serogroups (types), including meningococcal serogroup B. Vaccines are available against meningococcal serogroup B, but the antigens targeted by these vaccines have highly variable genetic features and expression levels, so the effectiveness of vaccination may vary depending on the strains circulating in particular countries. It is therefore important to test meningococcal serogroup B strains isolated from specific populations to estimate the percentage of bacterial strains that a vaccine can protect against (vaccine strain coverage). Meningococcal isolates were collected in Taiwan between 2003 and 2020, of which 134 were identified as serogroup B. We did further investigations on these isolates, including using a method (called gMATS) to predict vaccine strain coverage by the 4-component meningococcal serogroup B vaccine (4CMenB).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Min-Chi Lu
- School of Medicine,
China Medical University,
Taichung, Taiwan
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8
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Peregrino ES, Castañeda-Casimiro J, Vázquez-Flores L, Estrada-Parra S, Wong-Baeza C, Serafín-López J, Wong-Baeza I. The Role of Bacterial Extracellular Vesicles in the Immune Response to Pathogens, and Therapeutic Opportunities. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6210. [PMID: 38892397 PMCID: PMC11172497 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic bacteria have several mechanisms to evade the host's immune response and achieve an efficient infection. Bacterial extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a relevant cellular communication mechanism, since they can interact with other bacterial cells and with host cells. In this review, we focus on the EVs produced by some World Health Organization (WHO) priority Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogenic bacteria; by spore-producing bacteria; by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (a bacteria with a complex cell wall); and by Treponema pallidum (a bacteria without lipopolysaccharide). We describe the classification and the general properties of bacterial EVs, their role during bacterial infections and their effects on the host immune response. Bacterial EVs contain pathogen-associated molecular patterns that activate innate immune receptors, which leads to cytokine production and inflammation, but they also contain antigens that induce the activation of B and T cell responses. Understanding the many effects of bacterial EVs on the host's immune response can yield new insights on the pathogenesis of clinically important infections, but it can also lead to the development of EV-based diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. In addition, since EVs are efficient activators of both the innate and the adaptive immune responses, they constitute a promising platform for vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliud S. Peregrino
- Posgrado en Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas (ENCB), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (E.S.P.); (J.C.-C.)
| | - Jessica Castañeda-Casimiro
- Posgrado en Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas (ENCB), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (E.S.P.); (J.C.-C.)
- Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas (ENCB), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (S.E.-P.); (J.S.-L.)
| | - Luis Vázquez-Flores
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas (ENCB), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (L.V.-F.); (C.W.-B.)
| | - Sergio Estrada-Parra
- Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas (ENCB), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (S.E.-P.); (J.S.-L.)
| | - Carlos Wong-Baeza
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas (ENCB), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (L.V.-F.); (C.W.-B.)
| | - Jeanet Serafín-López
- Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas (ENCB), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (S.E.-P.); (J.S.-L.)
| | - Isabel Wong-Baeza
- Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas (ENCB), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Mexico City 11340, Mexico; (S.E.-P.); (J.S.-L.)
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9
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Nompari L, Coccone SS, Sardone GL, Corrado A, Berti S, Biagini M, Rovini M, Magagnoli C, Cianetti S, Orlandini S, Furlanetto S, De Ricco R. Innovative Reversed-Phase Chromatography Platform Approach for the Fast and Accurate Characterization of Membrane Vesicles' Protein Patterns. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2024; 7:1584-1594. [PMID: 38751636 PMCID: PMC11091982 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.4c00112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) have been widely explored to develop vaccine candidates for bacterial pathogens due to their ability to combine adjuvant properties with immunogenic activity. OMV expresses a variety of proteins and carbohydrate antigens on their surfaces. For this reason, there is an analytical need to thoroughly characterize the species expressed at their surface: we here present a simple and accurate reversed-phase ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography (RP-UPLC) method developed according to quality by design principles. This work provides an analytical alternative to the classical sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) characterization. The higher selectivity and sensitivity of the RP-UHPLC assay allow for the identification of additional protein species with respect to SDS-PAGE and facilitate its precise relative abundance quantification. According to validation results, the assay showed high accuracy, linearity, precision, repeatability, and a limit of quantification of 1% for less abundant proteins. This performance paves the way for improved production campaign consistency while also being analytically simple (no sample pretreatment required), making it suitable for routine quality control testing. In addition, the applicability of the assay to a wider range of vesicle classes (GMMA) was demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Nompari
- GSK,
Technical Research and Development (TRD), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | | | - Gian Luca Sardone
- GSK,
Technical Research and Development (TRD), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Alessio Corrado
- GSK,
Technical Research and Development (TRD), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Stefania Berti
- GSK,
Technical Research and Development (TRD), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Biagini
- GSK,
Technical Research and Development (TRD), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Michele Rovini
- GSK,
Technical Research and Development (TRD), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Claudia Magagnoli
- GSK,
Technical Research and Development (TRD), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Simona Cianetti
- GSK,
Technical Research and Development (TRD), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Serena Orlandini
- Department
of Chemistry “U. Schiff″, University of Florence, Via U. Schiff 6, Sesto Fiorentino 50019, Florence, Italy
| | - Sandra Furlanetto
- Department
of Chemistry “U. Schiff″, University of Florence, Via U. Schiff 6, Sesto Fiorentino 50019, Florence, Italy
| | - Riccardo De Ricco
- GSK,
Technical Research and Development (TRD), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
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10
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Marshall H, Ward J, Wang B, Andraweera P, McMillan M, Flood L, Bell C, Sisnowski J, Krause V, Webby R, Childs E, Gunathilake M, Egoroff N, Leong L, Lawrence A, Baird R, Freeman K, Menouhos D, Whiley DM, Karnon J, van Hal S, Lahra MM. Comprehensive observational study evaluating the enduring effectiveness of 4CMenB, the meningococcal B vaccine against gonococcal infections in the Northern Territory and South Australia, Australia: study protocol. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e079144. [PMID: 38719318 PMCID: PMC11086485 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-079144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The effectiveness of antibiotics for treating gonococcal infections is compromised due to escalating antibiotic resistance; and the development of an effective gonococcal vaccine has been challenging. Emerging evidence suggests that the licensed meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine, 4CMenB is effective against gonococcal infections due to cross-reacting antibodies and 95% genetic homology between the two bacteria, Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, that cause the diseases. This project aims to undertake epidemiological and genomic surveillance to evaluate the long-term protection of the 4CMenB vaccine against gonococcal infections in the Northern Territory (NT) and South Australia (SA), and to determine the potential benefit of a booster vaccine doses to provide longer-term protection against gonococcal infections. METHODS AND ANALYSES This observational study will provide long-term evaluation results of the effectiveness of the 4CMenB vaccine against gonococcal infections at 4-7 years post 4CMenB programme implementation. Routine notifiable disease notifications will be the basis for assessing the impact of the vaccine on gonococcal infections. Pathology laboratories will provide data on the number and percentage of N. gonorrhoeae positive tests relative to all tests administered and will coordinate molecular sequencing for isolates. Genome sequencing results will be provided by SA Pathology and Territory Pathology/New South Wales Health Pathology, and linked with notification data by SA Health and NT Health. There are limitations in observational studies including the potential for confounding. Confounders will be analysed separately for each outcome/comparison. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The protocol and all study documents have been reviewed and approved by the SA Department for Health and Well-being Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC/2022/HRE00308), and the evaluation will commence in the NT on receipt of approval from the NT Health and Menzies School of Health Research Human Research Ethics Committee. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at scientific meetings and public forums.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Marshall
- Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - James Ward
- Poche Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Bing Wang
- Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Prabha Andraweera
- Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Mark McMillan
- Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Louise Flood
- Communicable Disease Control Branch, Department for Health and Wellbeing, Government of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Charlotte Bell
- Communicable Disease Control Branch, Department for Health and Wellbeing, Government of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jana Sisnowski
- Communicable Disease Control Branch, Department for Health and Wellbeing, Government of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Vicki Krause
- Centre for Disease Control & Environmental Health, NT Health, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Rosalind Webby
- Centre for Disease Control & Environmental Health, NT Health, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Emma Childs
- Immunisation and Notifiable Diseases, NT Health, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Manoji Gunathilake
- Centre for Disease Control & Environmental Health, NT Health, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Natasha Egoroff
- Centre for Disease Control & Environmental Health, NT Health, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Lex Leong
- SA Pathology, SA Health, Government of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Andrew Lawrence
- SA Pathology, SA Health, Government of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Rob Baird
- Territory Pathology, NT Health, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Kevin Freeman
- Territory Pathology, NT Health, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Dimitrios Menouhos
- Territory Pathology, NT Health, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - David M Whiley
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland and Pathology Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jonathan Karnon
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Sebastian van Hal
- Microbiology, NSW Health Pathology, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Monica M Lahra
- Microbiology, NSW Health Pathology, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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11
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Nompari L, Orlandini S, Pasquini B, Fontana L, Rovini M, Masi F, Gotti R, Furlanetto S. Optimization of hydrolysis conditions of amino acid analysis for UHPLC-UV antigens content determination: Bexsero vaccine a case study. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2024; 241:115997. [PMID: 38325191 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2024.115997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
In the present study the compositional analysis of the amino acids released by the acidic hydrolysis of the vaccine antigens was approached as an alternative to the dye-binding methods, for improvement of the quality control. In particular, the Analytical Quality by Design principles were undertaken in optimizing the hydrolysis conditions of the antigens to be applied prior to the quantitation by UHPLC-UV. Bexsero was used as a case study; it is a recombinant meningococcal B vaccine and one of its critical quality attributes is the content of the three core protein antigens, namely Neisseria Heparin Binding Antigen, factor H binding protein and Neisseria adhesin A, in the final formulation. Conventionally, the proteins quantitation is carried out by dye-binding assays. Analytical Target Profile was defined as the accurate determination of amounts of the Bexsero antigens. The Critical Method Parameters were chosen by means of the cause-effect matrix. A Face Centered Design was used to select the experiments to investigate the process and finally a Method Operable Design Region with a risk of failure of 5% was defined. The selected working point for routine use was: hydrolysis time, 17 hrs; temperature, 112 °C; 6 M HCl volume, 300 µl; antioxidant 90% phenol volume, 5 µl.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Nompari
- GSK, Technical Research and Development (TRD), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Serena Orlandini
- Department of Chemistry "U. Schiff", University of Florence, Via U. Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Benedetta Pasquini
- Ethics Committee Secretariat Officer Area Vasta Centro, AOU Careggi, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Letizia Fontana
- GSK, Technical Research and Development (TRD), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Michele Rovini
- GSK, Technical Research and Development (TRD), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Flavio Masi
- GSK, Technical Research and Development (TRD), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Roberto Gotti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Sandra Furlanetto
- Department of Chemistry "U. Schiff", University of Florence, Via U. Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.
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12
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Williams E, Seib KL, Fairley CK, Pollock GL, Hocking JS, McCarthy JS, Williamson DA. Neisseria gonorrhoeae vaccines: a contemporary overview. Clin Microbiol Rev 2024; 37:e0009423. [PMID: 38226640 PMCID: PMC10938898 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00094-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection is an important public health issue, with an annual global incidence of 87 million. N. gonorrhoeae infection causes significant morbidity and can have serious long-term impacts on reproductive and neonatal health and may rarely cause life-threatening disease. Global rates of N. gonorrhoeae infection have increased over the past 20 years. Importantly, rates of antimicrobial resistance to key antimicrobials also continue to increase, with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifying drug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae as an urgent threat to public health. This review summarizes the current evidence for N. gonorrhoeae vaccines, including historical clinical trials, key N. gonorrhoeae vaccine preclinical studies, and studies of the impact of Neisseria meningitidis vaccines on N. gonorrhoeae infection. A comprehensive survey of potential vaccine antigens, including those identified through traditional vaccine immunogenicity approaches, as well as those identified using more contemporary reverse vaccinology approaches, are also described. Finally, the potential epidemiological impacts of a N. gonorrhoeae vaccine and research priorities for further vaccine development are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloise Williams
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kate L. Seib
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Christopher K. Fairley
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Georgina L. Pollock
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jane S. Hocking
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - James S. McCarthy
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Deborah A. Williamson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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13
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San Francisco Ramos A, Isitt C, Athaide S, Ladhani SN, Andrews NJ, Townsend-Payne K, Holland A, Louth J, Borrow R, Heath PT, Cosgrove CA. Propositive follow-up: Long-term immune responses to the 4CMenB and MenACWY vaccines in people living with HIV. HIV Med 2024; 25:370-380. [PMID: 38013594 DOI: 10.1111/hiv.13586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People living with HIV have an increased risk of meningococcal disease. The Propositive trial evaluated co-administration of two doses of a four-component recombinant protein-based MenB vaccine (4CMenB) and a quadrivalent conjugate polysaccharide MenACWY vaccine (MenACWY-CRM197) given 1 month apart in people with HIV. The follow-up trial assessed the immunogenicity of these vaccines at 1.5 and 2.5 years after primary vaccination. METHODS Participants who completed the parent Propositive trial were invited to the follow-up study. Immunogenicity analysis was performed at 18 and 30 months after primary vaccination. Primary outcome measures were serum bactericidal antibody (SBA) geometric mean titres (GMTs) against three MenB reference strains and the proportion of participants maintaining a protective SBA titre of ≥4 at 18 and 30 months. Secondary outcome measures were SBA GMTs against MenA, C, W, and Y serogroups and the proportion of participants maintaining a protective SBA titre of ≥8 at 18 and 30 months. The trial is registered with Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT042394300). RESULTS A total of 40 participants aged 22-47 years were enrolled. Geometric mean titres waned by 18 and 30 months but remained higher than pre-vaccination for all MenB strains and MenA, C, W, and Y. In total, 75%-85% of participants retained protective SBA titres by 30 months against individual MenB strains, whereas 68.8% of patients retained protective antibody titres against all three MenB strains. Antibodies against MenC waned more rapidly than did those against MenA, W, and Y. The proportion of participants with protective titres against MenC at 30 months was also lower (46.9%) than that with protective titres against MenA (87.5%), W (78.1%), and Y (87.5%). CONCLUSIONS Immune responses against MenB in our cohort of people living with HIV at 2.5 years of follow-up were reassuring, with 68.8% of participants retaining protection against all three reference strains. However, responses against MenC were lower than those against MenA, W, and Y serogroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto San Francisco Ramos
- Centre for Paediatric and Neonatal Infection, Vaccine Institute, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Catherine Isitt
- Centre for Paediatric and Neonatal Infection, Vaccine Institute, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Shehnaz Athaide
- Centre for Paediatric and Neonatal Infection, Vaccine Institute, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Shamez N Ladhani
- Centre for Paediatric and Neonatal Infection, Vaccine Institute, St George's University of London, London, UK
- United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), London, UK
| | | | - Kelly Townsend-Payne
- UKHSA Vaccine Evaluation Unit, Manchester Royal Infirmary Oxford Road, Manchester, UK
| | - Ann Holland
- UKHSA Vaccine Evaluation Unit, Manchester Royal Infirmary Oxford Road, Manchester, UK
| | - Jennifer Louth
- UKHSA Vaccine Evaluation Unit, Manchester Royal Infirmary Oxford Road, Manchester, UK
| | - Ray Borrow
- UKHSA Vaccine Evaluation Unit, Manchester Royal Infirmary Oxford Road, Manchester, UK
| | - Paul T Heath
- Centre for Paediatric and Neonatal Infection, Vaccine Institute, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Catherine A Cosgrove
- Centre for Paediatric and Neonatal Infection, Vaccine Institute, St George's University of London, London, UK
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14
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Grauslund LR, Ständer S, Veggi D, Andreano E, Rand KD, Norais N. Epitope Mapping of Human Polyclonal Antibodies to the fHbp Antigen of a Neisseria Meningitidis Vaccine by Hydrogen-Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry (HDX-MS). Mol Cell Proteomics 2024; 23:100734. [PMID: 38342408 PMCID: PMC10959699 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2024.100734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Antigen-antibody interactions play a key role in the immune response post vaccination and the mechanism of action of antibody-based biopharmaceuticals. 4CMenB is a multicomponent vaccine against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B in which factor H binding protein (fHbp) is one of the key antigens. In this study, we use hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) to identify epitopes in fHbp recognized by polyclonal antibodies (pAb) from two human donors (HDs) vaccinated with 4CMenB. Our HDX-MS data reveal several epitopes recognized by the complex mixture of human pAb. Furthermore, we show that the pAb from the two HDs recognize the same epitope regions. Epitope mapping of total pAb and purified fHbp-specific pAb from the same HD reveals that the two antibody samples recognize the same main epitopes, showing that HDX-MS based epitope mapping can, in this case at least, be performed directly using total IgG pAb samples that have not undergone Ab-selective purification. Two monoclonal antibodies (mAb) were previously produced from B-cell repertoire sequences from one of the HDs and used for epitope mapping of fHbp with HDX-MS. The epitopes identified for the pAb from the same HD in this study, overlap with the epitopes recognized by the two individual mAbs. Overall, HDX-MS epitope mapping appears highly suitable for simultaneous identification of epitopes recognized by pAb from human donors and to thus both guide vaccine development and study basic human immunity to pathogens, including viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura R Grauslund
- Protein Analysis Group, Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; GSK Vaccines, GSK, Siena, Italy
| | - Susanne Ständer
- Protein Analysis Group, Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; GSK Vaccines, GSK, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Emanuele Andreano
- Monoclonal Antibody Discovery (MAD) Lab, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, Siena, Italy
| | - Kasper D Rand
- Protein Analysis Group, Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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15
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Leong LE, Coldbeck-Shackley RC, McMillan M, Bratcher HB, Turra M, Lawrence A, Kahler C, Maiden MC, Rogers GB, Marshall H. The genomic epidemiology of Neisseria meningitidis carriage from a randomised controlled trial of 4CMenB vaccination in an asymptomatic adolescent population. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. WESTERN PACIFIC 2024; 43:100966. [PMID: 38169944 PMCID: PMC10758868 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2023.100966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Background Oropharyngeal carriage of Neisseria meningitidis is frequent during adolescence, representing a major source of invasive meningococcal disease. This study examined the impact of a serogroup B vaccination (Bexsero, GSK 4CMenB) programme on adolescent N. meningitidis carriage using genomic data. Methods A total 34,489 oropharyngeal samples were collected as part of a state-wide cluster randomised-controlled trial in South Australia during 2017 and 2018 (NCT03089086). Samples were screened for the presence of N. meningitidis DNA by porA PCR prior to culture. Whole genome sequencing was performed on all 1772 N. meningitidis culture isolates and their genomes were analysed. Findings Unencapsulated meningococci were predominant at baseline (36.3% of isolates), followed by MenB (31.0%), and MenY (20.5%). Most MenB were ST-6058 from hyperinvasive cc41/44, or ST-32 and ST-2870 from cc32. For MenY, ST-23 and ST-1655 from cc23 were prevalent. Meningococcal carriage was mostly unchanged due to the vaccination programme; however, a significant reduction in ST-53 capsule-null meningococci prevalence was observed in 2018 compared to 2017 (OR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.30-0.87, p = 0.0106). This effect was larger in the vaccinated compared to the control group (OR = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.12-0.98, p = 0.0368). Interpretation While deployment of the 4CMenB vaccination did not alter the carriage of hyperinvasive MenB in the vaccinated population, it altered the carriage of other N. meningitidis sequence types following the vaccination program. Our findings suggest 4CMenB vaccination is unlikely to reduce transmission of hyperinvasive N. meningitidis strains and therefore ongoing targeted vaccination is likely a more effective public health intervention. Funding This work was funded by GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lex E.X. Leong
- Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, SA Pathology, Adelaide 5000, Australia
- UniSA Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide 5000, Australia
- Microbiome & Host Health, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Bedford Park, 5042, Australia
| | | | - Mark McMillan
- Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit, Women’s and Children’s Health Network, Adelaide 5000, Australia
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5000, Australia
| | - Holly B. Bratcher
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Turra
- Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, SA Pathology, Adelaide 5000, Australia
| | - Andrew Lawrence
- Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, SA Pathology, Adelaide 5000, Australia
| | | | - Martin C.J. Maiden
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Geraint B. Rogers
- Microbiome & Host Health, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Bedford Park, 5042, Australia
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, 5042, Australia
| | - Helen Marshall
- Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit, Women’s and Children’s Health Network, Adelaide 5000, Australia
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5000, Australia
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16
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Roe SK, Felter B, Zheng B, Ram S, Wetzler LM, Garges E, Zhu T, Genco CA, Massari P. In Vitro Pre-Clinical Evaluation of a Gonococcal Trivalent Candidate Vaccine Identified by Transcriptomics. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1846. [PMID: 38140249 PMCID: PMC10747275 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11121846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted disease caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, poses a significant global public health threat. Infection in women can be asymptomatic and may result in severe reproductive complications. Escalating antibiotic resistance underscores the need for an effective vaccine. Approaches being explored include subunit vaccines and outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), but an ideal candidate remains elusive. Meningococcal OMV-based vaccines have been associated with reduced rates of gonorrhea in retrospective epidemiologic studies, and with accelerated gonococcal clearance in mouse vaginal colonization models. Cross-protection is attributed to shared antigens and possibly cross-reactive, bactericidal antibodies. Using a Candidate Antigen Selection Strategy (CASS) based on the gonococcal transcriptome during human mucosal infection, we identified new potential vaccine targets that, when used to immunize mice, induced the production of antibodies with bactericidal activity against N. gonorrhoeae strains. The current study determined antigen recognition by human sera from N. gonorrhoeae-infected subjects, evaluated their potential as a multi-antigen (combination) vaccine in mice and examined the impact of different adjuvants (Alum or Alum+MPLA) on functional antibody responses to N. gonorrhoeae. Our results indicated that a stronger Th1 immune response component induced by Alum+MPLA led to antibodies with improved bactericidal activity. In conclusion, a combination of CASS-derived antigens may be promising for developing effective gonococcal vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shea K. Roe
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA; (S.K.R.); (C.A.G.)
| | - Brian Felter
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA; (S.K.R.); (C.A.G.)
| | - Bo Zheng
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA (S.R.)
| | - Sanjay Ram
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA (S.R.)
| | - Lee M. Wetzler
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA;
| | - Eric Garges
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA;
| | - Tianmou Zhu
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA; (S.K.R.); (C.A.G.)
| | - Caroline A. Genco
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA; (S.K.R.); (C.A.G.)
| | - Paola Massari
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA; (S.K.R.); (C.A.G.)
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17
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Gray MC, Thomas KS, Lamb ER, Werner LM, Connolly KL, Jerse AE, Criss AK. Evaluating vaccine-elicited antibody activities against Neisseria gonorrhoeae: cross-protective responses elicited by the 4CMenB meningococcal vaccine. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0030923. [PMID: 37991382 PMCID: PMC10715150 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00309-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The bacterial pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae is an urgent global health problem due to increasing numbers of infections, coupled with rampant antibiotic resistance. Vaccines against gonorrhea are being prioritized to combat drug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae. Meningococcal serogroup B vaccines such as four-component meningococcal B vaccine (4CMenB) are predicted by epidemiology studies to cross-protect individuals from natural infection with N. gonorrhoeae and elicit antibodies that cross-react with N. gonorrhoeae. Evaluation of vaccine candidates for gonorrhea requires a suite of assays for predicting efficacy in vitro and in animal models of infection, including the role of antibodies elicited by immunization. Here, we present the development and optimization of assays to evaluate antibody functionality after immunization of mice: antibody binding to intact N. gonorrhoeae, serum bactericidal activity, and opsonophagocytic killing activity using primary human neutrophils [polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs)]. These assays were developed with purified antibodies against N. gonorrhoeae and used to evaluate serum from mice that were vaccinated with 4CMenB or given alum as a negative control. Results from these assays will help prioritize gonorrhea vaccine candidates for advanced preclinical to early clinical studies and will contribute to identifying correlates and mechanisms of immune protection against N. gonorrhoeae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary C. Gray
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Keena S. Thomas
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Evan R. Lamb
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Lacie M. Werner
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Kristie L. Connolly
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Ann E. Jerse
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Alison K. Criss
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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18
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Savitskaya VY, Dolinnaya NG, Strekalovskikh VV, Peskovatskova ES, Snyga VG, Trefilov VS, Monakhova MV, Kubareva EA. Bioinformatics Analysis of Global Diversity in Meningococcal Vaccine Antigens over the Past 10 Years: Vaccine Efficacy Prognosis. Med Sci (Basel) 2023; 11:76. [PMID: 38132917 PMCID: PMC10744425 DOI: 10.3390/medsci11040076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis (N. meningitidis) serogroup B (MenB) is the leading cause of invasive meningococcal disease worldwide. The pathogen has a wide range of virulence factors, which are potential vaccine components. Studying the genetic variability of antigens within a population, especially their long-term persistence, is necessary to develop new vaccines and predict the effectiveness of existing ones. The multicomponent 4CMenB vaccine (Bexsero), used since 2014, contains three major genome-derived recombinant proteins: factor H-binding protein (fHbp), Neisserial Heparin-Binding Antigen (NHBA) and Neisserial adhesin A (NadA). Here, we assessed the prevalence and sequence variations of these vaccine antigens in a panel of 5667 meningococcal isolates collected worldwide over the past 10 years and deposited in the PubMLST database. Using multiple amino acid sequence alignments and Random Forest Classifier machine learning methods, we estimated the potential strain coverage of fHbp and NHBA vaccine variants (51 and about 25%, respectively); the NadA antigen sequence was found in only 18% of MenB genomes analyzed, but cross-reactive variants were present in less than 1% of isolates. Based on our findings, we proposed various strategies to improve the 4CMenB vaccine and broaden the coverage of N. meningitidis strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoriia Yu. Savitskaya
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Nina G. Dolinnaya
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Vadim V. Strekalovskikh
- Department of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, Moscow 119234, Russia; (V.V.S.); (E.S.P.)
| | - Elizaveta S. Peskovatskova
- Department of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, Moscow 119234, Russia; (V.V.S.); (E.S.P.)
| | - Viktoriia G. Snyga
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Vadim S. Trefilov
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Mayya V. Monakhova
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, Moscow 119992, Russia
| | - Elena A. Kubareva
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, Moscow 119992, Russia
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19
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Ji N, Wang F, Wang M, Zhang W, Liu H, Su J. Engineered bacterial extracellular vesicles for central nervous system diseases. J Control Release 2023; 364:46-60. [PMID: 37866404 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of central nervous system (CNS) diseases is on the rise as the population ages. The presence of various obstacles, particularly the blood-brain barrier (BBB), poses a challenge for drug delivery to the CNS. An expanding body of study suggests that gut microbiota (GM) plays an important role in CNS diseases. The communication between GM and CNS diseases has received increasing attention. Accumulating evidence indicates that the GM can modulate host signaling pathways to regulate distant organ functions by delivering bioactive substances to host cells via bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs). BEVs have emerged as a promising platform for the treatment of CNS diseases due to their nanostructure, ability to penetrate the BBB, as well as their low toxicity, high biocompatibility, ease of modification and large-scale culture. Here, we discuss the biogenesis, internalization mechanism and engineering modification methods of BEVs. We then focus on the use and potential role of BEVs in the treatment of CNS diseases. Finally, we outline the main challenges and future prospects for the application of BEVs in CNS diseases. We hope that the comprehensive understanding of the BEVs-based gut-brain axis will provide new insights into the treatment of CNS diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Ji
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; Organoid Research Center, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; National Center for Translational Medicine (Shanghai) SHU Branch, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Fuxiao Wang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; Organoid Research Center, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; National Center for Translational Medicine (Shanghai) SHU Branch, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Miaomiao Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai Zhongye Hospital, Shanghai 200941, China
| | - Wencai Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangdong, Guangzhou 510630, China.
| | - Han Liu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; Organoid Research Center, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; National Center for Translational Medicine (Shanghai) SHU Branch, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China.
| | - Jiacan Su
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; Organoid Research Center, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; National Center for Translational Medicine (Shanghai) SHU Branch, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China; Department of Orthopedics, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China.
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20
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Croia L, Boscato Sopetto G, Zanella I, Caproni E, Gagliardi A, Tamburini S, König E, Benedet M, Di Lascio G, Corbellari R, Grandi A, Tomasi M, Grandi G. Immunogenicity of Escherichia coli Outer Membrane Vesicles: Elucidation of Humoral Responses against OMV-Associated Antigens. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:882. [PMID: 37999368 PMCID: PMC10673343 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13110882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) produced by Gram-negative bacteria have emerged as a novel and flexible vaccine platform. OMVs can be decorated with foreign antigens and carry potent immunostimulatory components. Therefore, after their purification from the culture supernatant, they are ready to be formulated for vaccine use. It has been extensively demonstrated that immunization with engineered OMVs can elicit excellent antibody responses against the heterologous antigens. However, the definition of the conditions necessary to reach the optimal antibody titers still needs to be investigated. Here, we defined the protein concentrations required to induce antigen-specific antibodies, and the amount of antigen and OMVs necessary and sufficient to elicit saturating levels of antigen-specific antibodies. Since not all antigens can be expressed in OMVs, we also investigated the effectiveness of vaccines in which OMVs and purified antigens are mixed together without using any procedure for their physical association. Our data show that in most of the cases OMV-antigen mixtures are very effective in eliciting antigen-specific antibodies. This is probably due to the capacity of OMVs to "absorb" antigens, establishing sufficiently stable interactions that allow antigen-OMV co-presentation to the same antigen presenting cell. In those cases when antigen-OMV interaction is not sufficiently stable, the addition of alum to the formulation guarantees the elicitation of high titers of antigen-specific antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Croia
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy; (L.C.); (G.B.S.); (I.Z.); (E.K.); (R.C.); (M.T.)
| | - Giulia Boscato Sopetto
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy; (L.C.); (G.B.S.); (I.Z.); (E.K.); (R.C.); (M.T.)
| | - Ilaria Zanella
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy; (L.C.); (G.B.S.); (I.Z.); (E.K.); (R.C.); (M.T.)
| | - Elena Caproni
- Toscana Life Sciences Foundation, Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy; (E.C.); (A.G.); (S.T.); (M.B.); (G.D.L.); (A.G.)
| | - Assunta Gagliardi
- Toscana Life Sciences Foundation, Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy; (E.C.); (A.G.); (S.T.); (M.B.); (G.D.L.); (A.G.)
| | - Silvia Tamburini
- Toscana Life Sciences Foundation, Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy; (E.C.); (A.G.); (S.T.); (M.B.); (G.D.L.); (A.G.)
| | - Enrico König
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy; (L.C.); (G.B.S.); (I.Z.); (E.K.); (R.C.); (M.T.)
| | - Mattia Benedet
- Toscana Life Sciences Foundation, Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy; (E.C.); (A.G.); (S.T.); (M.B.); (G.D.L.); (A.G.)
| | - Gabriele Di Lascio
- Toscana Life Sciences Foundation, Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy; (E.C.); (A.G.); (S.T.); (M.B.); (G.D.L.); (A.G.)
| | - Riccardo Corbellari
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy; (L.C.); (G.B.S.); (I.Z.); (E.K.); (R.C.); (M.T.)
| | - Alberto Grandi
- Toscana Life Sciences Foundation, Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy; (E.C.); (A.G.); (S.T.); (M.B.); (G.D.L.); (A.G.)
- BiOMViS Srl, Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Michele Tomasi
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy; (L.C.); (G.B.S.); (I.Z.); (E.K.); (R.C.); (M.T.)
| | - Guido Grandi
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy; (L.C.); (G.B.S.); (I.Z.); (E.K.); (R.C.); (M.T.)
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21
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Alfandari D, Cadury S, Morandi MI, Regev-Rudzki N. Transforming parasites into their own foes: parasitic extracellular vesicles as a vaccine platform. Trends Parasitol 2023; 39:913-928. [PMID: 37758631 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Parasitic diseases continue to afflict millions of people globally. However, traditional vaccine development strategies are often difficult to apply to parasites, leaving an immense unmet need for new effective vaccines for the prevention and control of parasitic infections. As parasites commonly use extracellular vesicles (EVs) to interact with, interfere with, or modulate the host immune response from a distance, parasite-derived EVs may provide promising vaccine agents that induce immunity against parasitic infections. We here present achievements to date and the challenges and limitations associated with using parasitic EVs in a clinical context. Despite the many difficulties that need to be overcome, we believe this direction could offer a new and reliable source of therapeutics for various neglected parasitic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Alfandari
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Biochemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Sharon Cadury
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Biochemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Mattia I Morandi
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Science, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Neta Regev-Rudzki
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Biochemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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22
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Tamburini S, Zhang Y, Gagliardi A, Di Lascio G, Caproni E, Benedet M, Tomasi M, Corbellari R, Zanella I, Croia L, Grandi G, Müller M, Grandi A. Bacterial Outer Membrane Vesicles as a Platform for the Development of a Broadly Protective Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Based on the Minor Capsid Protein L2. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1582. [PMID: 37896984 PMCID: PMC10611245 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11101582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are a large family of viruses with a capsid composed of the L1 and L2 proteins, which bind to receptors of the basal epithelial cells and promote virus entry. The majority of sexually active people become exposed to HPV and the virus is the most common cause of cervical cancer. Vaccines are available based on the L1 protein, which self-assembles and forms virus-like particles (VLPs) when expressed in yeast and insect cells. Although very effective, these vaccines are HPV type-restricted and their costs limit broad vaccination campaigns. Recently, vaccine candidates based on the conserved L2 epitope from serotypes 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 6, 51, and 59 were shown to elicit broadly neutralizing anti-HPV antibodies. In this study, we tested whether E. coli outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) could be successfully decorated with L2 polytopes and whether the engineered OMVs could induce neutralizing antibodies. OMVs represent an attractive vaccine platform owing to their intrinsic adjuvanticity and their low production costs. We show that strings of L2 epitopes could be efficiently expressed on the surface of the OMVs and a polypeptide composed of the L2 epitopes from serotypes 18, 33, 35, and 59 provided a broad cross-protective activity against a large panel of HPV serotypes as determined using pseudovirus neutralization assay. Considering the simplicity of the OMV production process, our work provides a highly effective and inexpensive solution to produce universal anti-HPV vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Tamburini
- Department of Cellular, Computation and Integrative of Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.T.); (M.T.); (R.C.); (I.Z.); (L.C.)
| | - Yueru Zhang
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 242, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (Y.Z.); (M.M.)
| | - Assunta Gagliardi
- Toscana Life Sciences Foundation, Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.G.); (G.D.L.); (E.C.); (M.B.); (A.G.)
| | - Gabriele Di Lascio
- Toscana Life Sciences Foundation, Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.G.); (G.D.L.); (E.C.); (M.B.); (A.G.)
| | - Elena Caproni
- Toscana Life Sciences Foundation, Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.G.); (G.D.L.); (E.C.); (M.B.); (A.G.)
| | - Mattia Benedet
- Toscana Life Sciences Foundation, Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.G.); (G.D.L.); (E.C.); (M.B.); (A.G.)
| | - Michele Tomasi
- Department of Cellular, Computation and Integrative of Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.T.); (M.T.); (R.C.); (I.Z.); (L.C.)
| | - Riccardo Corbellari
- Department of Cellular, Computation and Integrative of Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.T.); (M.T.); (R.C.); (I.Z.); (L.C.)
| | - Ilaria Zanella
- Department of Cellular, Computation and Integrative of Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.T.); (M.T.); (R.C.); (I.Z.); (L.C.)
| | - Lorenzo Croia
- Department of Cellular, Computation and Integrative of Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.T.); (M.T.); (R.C.); (I.Z.); (L.C.)
| | - Guido Grandi
- Department of Cellular, Computation and Integrative of Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy; (S.T.); (M.T.); (R.C.); (I.Z.); (L.C.)
| | - Martin Müller
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 242, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (Y.Z.); (M.M.)
| | - Alberto Grandi
- Toscana Life Sciences Foundation, Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.G.); (G.D.L.); (E.C.); (M.B.); (A.G.)
- BiOMViS Srl, Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
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23
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YAMASAKI-YASHIKI S, SAKAMOTO Y, NISHIMURA K, SAIKA A, ITO T, KUNISAWA J, KATAKURA Y. High productivity of immunostimulatory membrane vesicles of Limosilactobacillus antri using glycine. BIOSCIENCE OF MICROBIOTA, FOOD AND HEALTH 2023; 43:55-63. [PMID: 38188665 PMCID: PMC10767322 DOI: 10.12938/bmfh.2023-029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Nanosized membrane vesicles (MVs) released by bacteria play important roles in both bacteria-bacteria and bacteria-host interactions. Some gram-positive lactic acid bacteria produce MVs exhibiting immunoregulatory activity in the host. We found that both bacterial cells and MVs of Limosilactobacillus antri JCM 15950, isolated from the human stomach mucosa, enhance immunoglobulin A production by murine Peyer's patch cells. However, the thick cell walls of gram-positive bacteria resulted in low MV production, limiting experiments and applications using MVs. In this study, we evaluated the effects of glycine, which inhibits cell wall synthesis, on the immunostimulatory MV productivity of L. antri. Glycine inhibited bacterial growth while increasing MV production, with 20 g/L glycine increasing MV production approximately 12-fold. Glycine was most effective at increasing MV production when added in the early exponential phase, which indicated that cell division in the presence of glycine increased MV production. Finally, glycine increased MV productivity approximately 16-fold. Furthermore, glycine-induced MVs promoted interleukin-6 production by macrophage-like J774.1 cells, and the immunostimulatory activity was comparable to that of spontaneously produced MVs. Our results indicate that glycine is an effective agent for improving the production of MVs with immunostimulatory activity in gram-positive lactic acid bacteria, which can be applied as mucosal adjuvants and functional foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shino YAMASAKI-YASHIKI
- Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of
Chemistry, Materials and Bioengineering, Kansai University, 3-3-35 Yamate-cho, Suita-shi,
Osaka 564-8680, Japan
- Laboratory of Vaccine Materials and Laboratory of Gut
Environmental System, Microbial Research Center for Health and Medicine, National
Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi,
Ibaraki-shi, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Yu SAKAMOTO
- Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of
Chemistry, Materials and Bioengineering, Kansai University, 3-3-35 Yamate-cho, Suita-shi,
Osaka 564-8680, Japan
| | - Keiko NISHIMURA
- Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of
Chemistry, Materials and Bioengineering, Kansai University, 3-3-35 Yamate-cho, Suita-shi,
Osaka 564-8680, Japan
| | - Azusa SAIKA
- Laboratory of Vaccine Materials and Laboratory of Gut
Environmental System, Microbial Research Center for Health and Medicine, National
Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi,
Ibaraki-shi, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Takeshi ITO
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
Science, Kansai University, 3-3-35 Yamate-cho, Suita-shi, Osaka 564-8680, Japan
| | - Jun KUNISAWA
- Laboratory of Vaccine Materials and Laboratory of Gut
Environmental System, Microbial Research Center for Health and Medicine, National
Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi,
Ibaraki-shi, Osaka 567-0085, Japan
| | - Yoshio KATAKURA
- Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of
Chemistry, Materials and Bioengineering, Kansai University, 3-3-35 Yamate-cho, Suita-shi,
Osaka 564-8680, Japan
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Guarra F, Colombo G. Computational Methods in Immunology and Vaccinology: Design and Development of Antibodies and Immunogens. J Chem Theory Comput 2023; 19:5315-5333. [PMID: 37527403 PMCID: PMC10448727 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.3c00513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
The design of new biomolecules able to harness immune mechanisms for the treatment of diseases is a prime challenge for computational and simulative approaches. For instance, in recent years, antibodies have emerged as an important class of therapeutics against a spectrum of pathologies. In cancer, immune-inspired approaches are witnessing a surge thanks to a better understanding of tumor-associated antigens and the mechanisms of their engagement or evasion from the human immune system. Here, we provide a summary of the main state-of-the-art computational approaches that are used to design antibodies and antigens, and in parallel, we review key methodologies for epitope identification for both B- and T-cell mediated responses. A special focus is devoted to the description of structure- and physics-based models, privileged over purely sequence-based approaches. We discuss the implications of novel methods in engineering biomolecules with tailored immunological properties for possible therapeutic uses. Finally, we highlight the extraordinary challenges and opportunities presented by the possible integration of structure- and physics-based methods with emerging Artificial Intelligence technologies for the prediction and design of novel antigens, epitopes, and antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Guarra
- Department of Chemistry, University
of Pavia, Via Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Giorgio Colombo
- Department of Chemistry, University
of Pavia, Via Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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25
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Gray MC, Thomas KS, Lamb ER, Werner LM, Connolly KL, Jerse AE, Criss AK. Evaluating vaccine-elicited antibody activities against Neisseria gonorrhoeae: cross-protective responses elicited by the 4CMenB meningococcal vaccine. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.03.551882. [PMID: 37577557 PMCID: PMC10418180 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.03.551882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
The bacterial pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae is an urgent global health problem due to increasing numbers of infections, coupled with rampant antibiotic resistance. Vaccines against gonorrhea are being prioritized to combat drug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae. Meningococcal serogroup B vaccines such as 4CMenB are predicted by epidemiology studies to cross-protect individuals from natural infection with N. gonorrhoeae and elicit antibodies that cross-react with N. gonorrhoeae. Evaluation of vaccine candidates for gonorrhea requires a suite of assays for predicting efficacy in vitro and in animal models of infection, including the role of antibodies elicited by immunization. Here we present assays to evaluate antibody functionality after immunization: antibody binding to intact N. gonorrhoeae, serum bactericidal activity, and opsonophagocytic killing activity using primary human neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes). These assays were developed with purified antibodies against N. gonorrhoeae and used to evaluate serum from mice that were vaccinated with 4CMenB or given alum as a negative control. Results from these assays will help prioritize gonorrhea vaccine candidates for advanced preclinical to early clinical study and will contribute to identifying correlates and mechanisms of immune protection against N. gonorrhoeae .
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Fereshteh S, Haririzadeh Jouriani F, Noori Goodarzi N, Torkamaneh M, Khasheii B, Badmasti F. Defeating a superbug: A breakthrough in vaccine design against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa using reverse vaccinology. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0289609. [PMID: 37535697 PMCID: PMC10399887 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa has become a major cause of severe infections. Due to the lack of approved vaccines, this study has presented putative vaccine candidates against it. METHODS P. aeruginosa 24Pae112 as a reference strain was retrieved from GenBank database. The surface-exposed, antigenic, non-allergenic, and non-homologous human proteins were selected. The conserved domains of selected proteins were evaluated, and the prevalence of proteins was assessed among 395 genomes. Next, linear and conformational B-cell epitopes, and human MHC II binding sites were determined. Finally, five conserved and highly antigenic B-cell epitopes from OMPs were implanted on the three platforms as multi-epitope vaccines, including FliC, the bacteriophage T7 tail, and the cell wall-associated transporter proteins. The immunoreactivity was investigated using molecular docking and immune simulation. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulation was done to refine the chimeric cell-wall-associated transporter-TLR4 complex as the best interaction. RESULTS Among 6494 total proteins of P. aeruginosa 24Pae112, 16 proteins (seven OMPs and nine secreted) were ideal according to the defined criteria. These proteins had a molecular weight of 110 kDa and were prevalent in ≥ 75% of P. aeruginosa genomes. Among the presented multi-epitope vaccines, the chimeric cell-wall-associated transporter had the strongest interaction with TLR4. Moreover, the immune simulation response revealed that the bacteriophage T7 tail chimeric protein had the strongest ability to stimulate the immune system. In addition, molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation indicated the proper and stable interactions between the chimeric cell-wall-associated transporter and TLR4. CONCLUSION This study proposed 16 shortlisted proteins as promising immunogenic targets. Two novel platforms (e.g. cell-wall-associated transporter and bacteriophage T7 tail proteins) for designing of multi-epitope vaccines (MEVs), showed the better performance compared to FliC. In our future studies, these two MEVs will receive more scrutiny to evaluate their immunoreactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Narjes Noori Goodarzi
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Torkamaneh
- Department of Bacteriology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Behnoush Khasheii
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
| | - Farzad Badmasti
- Department of Bacteriology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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27
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Khalid K, Poh CL. The Promising Potential of Reverse Vaccinology-Based Next-Generation Vaccine Development over Conventional Vaccines against Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1264. [PMID: 37515079 PMCID: PMC10385262 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11071264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The clinical use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, leading to the current antibiotic resistance crisis. To address this issue, next-generation vaccines are being developed to prevent antimicrobial resistance caused by MDR bacteria. Traditional vaccine platforms, such as inactivated vaccines (IVs) and live attenuated vaccines (LAVs), were effective in preventing bacterial infections. However, they have shown reduced efficacy against emerging antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including MDR M. tuberculosis. Additionally, the large-scale production of LAVs and IVs requires the growth of live pathogenic microorganisms. A more promising approach for the accelerated development of vaccines against antibiotic-resistant bacteria involves the use of in silico immunoinformatics techniques and reverse vaccinology. The bioinformatics approach can identify highly conserved antigenic targets capable of providing broader protection against emerging drug-resistant bacteria. Multi-epitope vaccines, such as recombinant protein-, DNA-, or mRNA-based vaccines, which incorporate several antigenic targets, offer the potential for accelerated development timelines. This review evaluates the potential of next-generation vaccine development based on the reverse vaccinology approach and highlights the development of safe and immunogenic vaccines through relevant examples from successful preclinical and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanwal Khalid
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia
| | - Chit Laa Poh
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia
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Thapa HB, Ebenberger SP, Schild S. The Two Faces of Bacterial Membrane Vesicles: Pathophysiological Roles and Therapeutic Opportunities. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1045. [PMID: 37370364 PMCID: PMC10295235 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12061045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial membrane vesicles (MVs) are nanosized lipid particles secreted by lysis or blebbing mechanisms from Gram-negative and -positive bacteria. It is becoming increasingly evident that MVs can promote antimicrobial resistance but also provide versatile opportunities for therapeutic exploitation. As non-living facsimiles of parent bacteria, MVs can carry multiple bioactive molecules such as proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and metabolites, which enable them to participate in intra- and interspecific communication. Although energetically costly, the release of MVs seems beneficial for bacterial fitness, especially for pathogens. In this review, we briefly discuss the current understanding of diverse MV biogenesis routes affecting MV cargo. We comprehensively highlight the physiological functions of MVs derived from human pathogens covering in vivo adaptation, colonization fitness, and effector delivery. Emphasis is given to recent findings suggesting a vicious cycle of MV biogenesis, pathophysiological function, and antibiotic therapy. We also summarize potential therapeutical applications, such as immunotherapy, vaccination, targeted delivery, and antimicrobial potency, including their experimental validation. This comparative overview identifies common and unique strategies for MV modification used along diverse applications. Thus, the review summarizes timely aspects of MV biology in a so far unprecedented combination ranging from beneficial function for bacterial pathogen survival to future medical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himadri B. Thapa
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Humboldtstrasse 50, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Stephan P. Ebenberger
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Humboldtstrasse 50, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Stefan Schild
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Humboldtstrasse 50, 8010 Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
- Field of Excellence Biohealth, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
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Zografaki I, Detsis M, Del Amo M, Iantomasi R, Maia A, Montuori EA, Mendez C. Invasive Meningococcal Disease epidemiology and vaccination strategies in four Southern European countries: a review of the available data. Expert Rev Vaccines 2023. [PMID: 37316234 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2023.2225596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a major health concern which can be prevented through vaccination. Conjugate vaccines against serogroups A, C, W and Y and two protein-based vaccines against serogroup B are currently available in the European Union. AREAS COVERED We present epidemiologic data for Italy, Portugal, Greece and Spain using publicly available reports from national reference laboratories and national or regional immunization programs (1999-2019), aiming to confirm risk groups, and describe time trends in overall incidence and serogroup distribution, as well as impact of immunization. Analysis of circulating MenB isolates in terms of the surface factor H binding protein (fHbp) using PubMLST is discussed as fHbp represents an important MenB vaccine antigen. Predictions of potential reactivity of the two available MenB vaccines (MenB-fHbp and 4CMenB) with circulating MenB isolates are also provided as assessed using the recently developed MenDeVAR tool. EXPERT OPINION Understanding dynamics of IMD and continued genomic surveillance are essential for evaluating vaccine effectiveness, but also prompting proactive immunization programs to prevent future outbreaks. Importantly, the successful design of further effective meningococcal vaccines to fight IMD relies on considering the unpredictable epidemiology of the disease and combining lessons learnt from capsule polysaccharide vaccines and protein-based vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ana Maia
- Vaccines Department, Pfizer Portugal, Lisbon, Portugal
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Gong YM, Wei XF, Zheng YY, Li Y, Yu Q, Li PF, Zhu B. Combining Phage Display Technology with In Silico-Designed Epitope Vaccine to Elicit Robust Antibody Responses against Emerging Pathogen Tilapia Lake Virus. J Virol 2023; 97:e0005023. [PMID: 36975794 PMCID: PMC10134809 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00050-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Antigen epitope identification is a critical step in the vaccine development process and is a momentous cornerstone for the development of safe and efficient epitope vaccines. In particular, vaccine design is difficult when the function of the protein encoded by the pathogen is unknown. The genome of Tilapia lake virus (TiLV), an emerging virus from fish, encodes protein functions that have not been elucidated, resulting in a lag and uncertainty in vaccine development. Here, we propose a feasible strategy for emerging viral disease epitope vaccine development using TiLV. We determined the targets of specific antibodies in serum from a TiLV survivor by panning a Ph.D.-12 phage library, and we identified a mimotope, TYTTRMHITLPI, referred to as Pep3, which provided protection against TiLV after prime-boost vaccination; its immune protection rate was 57.6%. Based on amino acid sequence alignment and structure analysis of the target protein from TiLV, we further identified a protective antigenic site (399TYTTRNEDFLPT410) which is located on TiLV segment 1 (S1). The epitope vaccine with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH-S1399-410) corresponding to the mimotope induced the tilapia to produce a durable and effective antibody response after immunization, and the antibody depletion test confirmed that the specific antibody against S1399-410 was necessary to neutralize TiLV. Surprisingly, the challenge studies in tilapia demonstrated that the epitope vaccine elicited a robust protective response against TiLV challenge, and the survival rate reached 81.8%. In conclusion, this study revealed a concept for screening antigen epitopes of emerging viral diseases, providing promising approaches for development and evaluation of protective epitope vaccines against viral diseases. IMPORTANCE Antigen epitope determination is an important cornerstone for developing efficient vaccines. In this study, we attempted to explore a novel approach for epitope discovery of TiLV, which is a new virus in fish. We investigated the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of all antigenic sites (mimotopes) identified in serum of primary TiLV survivors by using a Ph.D.-12 phage library. We also recognized and identified the natural epitope of TiLV by bioinformatics, evaluated the immunogenicity and protective effect of this antigenic site by immunization, and revealed 2 amino acid residues that play important roles in this epitope. Both Pep3 and S1399-410 (a natural epitope identified by Pep3) elicited antibody titers in tilapia, but S1399-410 was more prominent. Antibody depletion studies showed that anti-S1399-410-specific antibodies were essential for neutralizing TiLV. Our study demonstrated a model for combining experimental and computational screens to identify antigen epitopes, which is attractive for epitope-based vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ming Gong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xue-Feng Wei
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yu-Ying Zheng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yang Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qing Yu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biotechnology and Modern Ecological Aquaculture, Guangxi Academy of Marine Sciences, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Peng-Fei Li
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biotechnology and Modern Ecological Aquaculture, Guangxi Academy of Marine Sciences, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Bin Zhu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Biology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
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Jiang Z, Kang X, Song Y, Zhou X, Yue M. Identification and Evaluation of Novel Antigen Candidates against Salmonella Pullorum Infection Using Reverse Vaccinology. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11040865. [PMID: 37112777 PMCID: PMC10143441 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11040865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Pullorum disease, caused by the Salmonella enterica serovar Gallinarum biovar Pullorum, is a highly contagious disease in the poultry industry, leading to significant economic losses in many developing countries. Due to the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains, immediate attention is required to prevent their endemics and global spreading. To mitigate the prevalence of MDR Salmonella Pullorum infections in poultry farms, it is urgent to develop effective vaccines. Reverse vaccinology (RV) is a promising approach using expressed genomic sequences to find new vaccine targets. The present study used the RV approach to identify new antigen candidates against Pullorum disease. Initial epidemiological investigation and virulent assays were conducted to select strain R51 for presentative and general importance. An additional complete genome sequence (4.7 Mb) for R51 was resolved using the Pacbio RS II platform. The proteome of Salmonella Pullorum was analyzed to predict outer membrane and extracellular proteins, and was further selected for evaluating transmembrane domains, protein prevalence, antigenicity, and solubility. Twenty-two high-scored proteins were identified among 4713 proteins, with 18 recombinant proteins successfully expressed and purified. The chick embryo model was used to assess protection efficacy, in which vaccine candidates were injected into 18-day-old chick embryos for in vivo immunogenicity and protective effects. The results showed that the PstS, SinH, LpfB, and SthB vaccine candidates were able to elicit a significant immune response. Particularly, PstS confers a significant protective effect, with a 75% survival rate compared to 31.25% for the PBS control group, confirming that identified antigens can be promising targets against Salmonella Pullorum infection. Thus, we offer RV to discover novel effective antigens in an important veterinary infectious agent with high priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijie Jiang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Sciences, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiamei Kang
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Sciences, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yan Song
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Sciences, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiao Zhou
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Sciences, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Min Yue
- Institute of Preventive Veterinary Sciences, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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Libardo MDJ, Durr E, Hernandez LD. A Robust Protocol to Isolate Outer Membrane Vesicles from Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae. Methods Protoc 2023; 6:mps6020042. [PMID: 37104024 PMCID: PMC10143165 DOI: 10.3390/mps6020042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are lipid structures containing various biomolecules in their native environment and are spontaneously shed by gram-negative bacteria. OMVs perform several biological functions critical to both bacterial physiology and pathogenicity. Scientific research on OMV function and biogenesis requires a standardized and robust method of isolating these vesicles from bacterial cultures that reliably provide high-purity OMVs. Herein, we describe an optimized protocol to isolate OMVs from overnight cultures of three different strains of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) for use in different downstream applications. Involving mainly differential centrifugation of the culture supernatant, the procedure described is relatively simple, efficient, and generates high-quality OMV preparations from each strain tested with sufficient yields, while preserving the native outer membrane composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Daben J Libardo
- Discovery Biology, Infectious Diseases & Vaccines, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | - Eberhard Durr
- Discovery Biology, Infectious Diseases & Vaccines, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, PA 19486, USA
| | - Lorraine D Hernandez
- Discovery Biology, Infectious Diseases & Vaccines, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, PA 19486, USA
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Mba IE, Sharndama HC, Anyaegbunam ZKG, Anekpo CC, Amadi BC, Morumda D, Doowuese Y, Ihezuo UJ, Chukwukelu JU, Okeke OP. Vaccine development for bacterial pathogens: Advances, challenges and prospects. Trop Med Int Health 2023; 28:275-299. [PMID: 36861882 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
The advent and use of antimicrobials have played a key role in treating potentially life-threatening infectious diseases, improving health, and saving the lives of millions of people worldwide. However, the emergence of multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogens has been a significant health challenge that has compromised the ability to prevent and treat a wide range of infectious diseases that were once treatable. Vaccines offer potential as a promising alternative to fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) infectious diseases. Vaccine technologies include reverse vaccinology, structural biology methods, nucleic acid (DNA and mRNA) vaccines, generalised modules for membrane antigens, bioconjugates/glycoconjugates, nanomaterials and several other emerging technological advances that are offering a potential breakthrough in the development of efficient vaccines against pathogens. This review covers the opportunities and advancements in vaccine discovery and development targeting bacterial pathogens. We reflect on the impact of the already-developed vaccines targeting bacterial pathogens and the potential of those currently under different stages of preclinical and clinical trials. More importantly, we critically and comprehensively analyse the challenges while highlighting the key indices for future vaccine prospects. Finally, the issues and concerns of AMR for low-income countries (sub-Saharan Africa) and the challenges with vaccine integration, discovery and development in this region are critically evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ifeanyi Elibe Mba
- Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | | | - Zikora Kizito Glory Anyaegbunam
- Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
- Institute for Drug-Herbal Medicine-Excipient Research and Development, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | - Chijioke Chinedu Anekpo
- Department of Ear Nose and Throat, College of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Nigeria
| | - Ben Chibuzo Amadi
- Pharmaceutical Technology and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | - Daji Morumda
- Department of Microbiology, Federal University Wukari, Wukari, Taraba, Nigeria
| | - Yandev Doowuese
- Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Nigeria
| | - Uchechi Justina Ihezuo
- Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
- Institute for Drug-Herbal Medicine-Excipient Research and Development, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
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Cell Surface Fibroblast Activation Protein-2 (Fap2) of Fusobacterium nucleatum as a Vaccine Candidate for Therapeutic Intervention of Human Colorectal Cancer: An Immunoinformatics Approach. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11030525. [PMID: 36992108 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11030525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers and is the second-highest in cancer-related deaths worldwide. The changes in gut homeostasis and microbial dysbiosis lead to the initiation of the tumorigenesis process. Several pathogenic gram-negative bacteria including Fusobacterium nucleatum are the principal contributors to the induction and pathogenesis of CRC. Thus, inhibiting the growth and survival of these pathogens can be a useful intervention strategy. Fibroblast activation protein-2 (Fap2) is an essential membrane protein of F. nucleatum that promotes the adherence of the bacterium to the colon cells, recruitment of immune cells, and induction of tumorigenesis. The present study depicts the design of an in silico vaccine candidate comprising the B-cell and T-cell epitopes of Fap2 for improving cell-mediated and humoral immune responses against CRC. Notably, this vaccine participates in significant protein–protein interactions with human Toll-like receptors, especially with TLR6 reveals, which is most likely to be correlated with its efficacy in eliciting potential immune responses. The immunogenic trait of the designed vaccine was verified by immune simulation approach. The cDNA of the vaccine construct was cloned in silico within the expression vector pET30ax for protein expression. Collectively, the proposed vaccine construct may serve as a promising therapeutic in intervening F. nucleatum-induced human CRC.
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Lo Presti A, Carannante A, Fazio C, Neri A, Vacca P, Ambrosio L, Lista F, Fillo S, Stefanelli P. FHbp variants among meningococci of serogroup B in Italy: Evolution and selective pressure, 2014-2017. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0277976. [PMID: 36795654 PMCID: PMC9934395 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) is the causative agent of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). Meningococcus of serogroup B (MenB) is one of the main serogroup causing IMD. MenB strains may be prevented by meningococcal B vaccines. In particular, vaccines with Factor H-binding protein (FHbp), classified into two subfamilies (A or B) or in three variants (v1, v2 or v3), are those available. The objective of the study was to investigate the phylogenetic relationships of FHbp subfamilies A and B (variants v1, v2 or v3) genes and proteins, together with their evolution patterns and selective pressure. MATERIALS AND METHODS Overall, alignments of FHbp nucleotide and protein sequence from 155 MenB samples collected in different parts of Italy, from 2014 to 2017, were analyzed by ClustalW. JModeltest and the Smart Model Selection software were used for the statistical selection of the best-fit substitution models for nucleotide and protein alignments. Site-specific positive and negative selection were estimated through the HYPHY package. The phylogenetic signal was investigated with the likelihood mapping method. The Maximum Likelihood (ML) phylogenetic reconstructions were performed with Phyml. RESULTS The phylogenic analysis identified different clusters within the FHbp subfamily A and B variants, confirming sequence diversity. The pattern of selective pressure in our study indicated that subfamily B FHbp sequences are subjected to greater variations and positive selective pressure respect to subfamily A, with 16 positively supported selected sites identified. CONCLUSION The study pointed out the need for continued genomic surveillance for meningococci to monitor selective pressure and amino acidic changes. Monitoring the genetic diversity and molecular evolution of FHbp variants may be useful to investigate genetic diversity which may emerge over time.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Carannante
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Cecilia Fazio
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Arianna Neri
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Vacca
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigina Ambrosio
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Fillo
- Scientific Department, Army Medical Center, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Stefanelli
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Costanzo V, Roviello GN. The Potential Role of Vaccines in Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): An Update and Future Perspectives. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11020333. [PMID: 36851210 PMCID: PMC9962013 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11020333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In the modern era, the consumption of antibiotics represents a revolutionary weapon against several infectious diseases, contributing to the saving of millions of lives worldwide. However, the misuse of antibiotics for human and animal purposes has fueled the process of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), considered now a global emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO), which significantly increases the mortality risk and related medical costs linked to the management of bacterial diseases. The current research aiming at developing novel efficient antibiotics is very challenging, and just a few candidates have been identified so far due to the difficulties connected with AMR. Therefore, novel therapeutic or prophylactic strategies to fight AMR are urgently needed. In this scenario, vaccines constitute a promising approach that proves to be crucial in preventing pathogen spreading in primary infections and in minimizing the usage of antibiotics following secondary bacterial infections. Unfortunately, most of the vaccines developed against the main resistant pathogens are still under preclinical and clinical evaluation due to the complexity of pathogens and technical difficulties. In this review, we describe not only the main causes of AMR and the role of vaccines in reducing the burden of infectious diseases, but we also report on specific prophylactic advancements against some of the main pathogens, focusing on new strategies that aim at improving vaccine efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Costanzo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna Alma Mater Studiorum, 40126 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence: (V.C.); (G.N.R.)
| | - Giovanni N. Roviello
- Italian National Council for Research (IBB-CNR), Area di Ricerca site and Headquartes, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: (V.C.); (G.N.R.)
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Cassiolato AP, Camargo CH, Piccoli Cecconi MC, Christakis S, Gonçalves CR, Rodrigues Campos K, Takenori Higa F, Andrade Pereira G, de Moraes C, Silva de Lemos AP. Genomic characterization of invasive meningococcal X isolates from Brazil, 1992-2022. Int Microbiol 2023:10.1007/s10123-023-00325-5. [PMID: 36626096 PMCID: PMC9838296 DOI: 10.1007/s10123-023-00325-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a major health problem. Given the post-COVID-19 pandemic scenario with the loosening of the non-pharmacological measures to control the virus transmission and considering the observed global reduction of meningococcal vaccination coverage, an increase in IMD cases can be expected. METHODOLOGY Using whole-genome sequencing, we characterized six Neisseria meningitidis serogroup X (MenX) isolates recovered from IMD cases in Brazil in the last 30 years. RESULTS The predominance (66.6%, 4/6) of ST2888 presenting fHbp 160, NHBA 129, NadA 21, and PorA 19,15 was found on isolates. Two novel STs, 15458 and 15477, were described. CONCLUSION This study describes the circulation of MenX lineage ST2888 in Brazil, previously reported only in Europe. Continuous universal surveillance is crucial to implement prompt public health measures aiming to prevent and control non-vaccine preventable serogroup X IMD cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula Cassiolato
- grid.417672.10000 0004 0620 4215Center of Bacteriology, Instituto Adolfo Lutz (IAL), São Paulo, State of São Paulo Brazil
| | - Carlos Henrique Camargo
- grid.417672.10000 0004 0620 4215Center of Bacteriology, Instituto Adolfo Lutz (IAL), São Paulo, State of São Paulo Brazil
| | | | - Sandra Christakis
- Public Health Laboratory, Florianópolis, State of Santa Catarina Brazil
| | - Claudia Regina Gonçalves
- grid.417672.10000 0004 0620 4215Strategic Laboratory, Instituto Adolfo Lutz (IAL), São Paulo, State of São Paulo Brazil
| | - Karoline Rodrigues Campos
- grid.417672.10000 0004 0620 4215Strategic Laboratory, Instituto Adolfo Lutz (IAL), São Paulo, State of São Paulo Brazil
| | - Fabio Takenori Higa
- Center of Immunology, Institute Adolfo Lutz (IAL), São Paulo, State of São Paulo Brazil
| | - Gabriela Andrade Pereira
- grid.414596.b0000 0004 0602 9808Secretariat of Health Surveillance, Ministry of Health, Brasília, Federal District Brazil
| | - Camile de Moraes
- grid.414596.b0000 0004 0602 9808Secretariat of Health Surveillance, Ministry of Health, Brasília, Federal District Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Silva de Lemos
- grid.417672.10000 0004 0620 4215Center of Bacteriology, Instituto Adolfo Lutz (IAL), São Paulo, State of São Paulo Brazil
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Borrow R, Martinón-Torres F, Abitbol V, Andani A, Preiss S, Muzzi A, Serino L, Sohn WY. Use of expanded Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B panels with the serum bactericidal antibody assay for the evaluation of meningococcal B vaccine effectiveness. Expert Rev Vaccines 2023; 22:738-748. [PMID: 37622470 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2023.2244596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (NmB) antigens are inherently diverse with variable expression among strains. Prediction of meningococcal B (MenB) vaccine effectiveness therefore requires an assay suitable for use against large panels of epidemiologically representative disease-causing NmB strains. Traditional serum bactericidal antibody assay using exogenous human complement (hSBA) is limited to the quantification of MenB vaccine immunogenicity on a small number of indicator strains. AREAS COVERED Additional and complementary methods for assessing strain coverage developed previously include the Meningococcal Antigen Typing System (MATS), Meningococcal Antigen Surface Expression (MEASURE) assay, and genotyping approaches, but these do not estimate vaccine effectiveness. We provide a narrative review of these methods, highlighting a more recent approach involving the hSBA assay in conjunction with expanded NmB strain panels: hSBA assay using endogenous complement in each vaccinated person's serum (enc-hSBA) against a 110-strain NmB panel and the traditional hSBA assay against 14 (4 + 10) NmB strains. EXPERT OPINION The enc-hSBA is a highly standardized, robust method that can be used in clinical trials to measure the immunological effectiveness of MenB vaccines under conditions that mimic real-world settings as closely as possible, through the use of endogenous complement and a diverse, epidemiologically representative panel of NmB strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ray Borrow
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, UK Health Security Agency, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UK
| | - Federico Martinón-Torres
- Pediatrics Research Group (GENVIP), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago and Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
- Translational Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases, Pediatrics Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Consorcio Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Madrid, Spain
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Pollard AJ, MacDonald NE, Dubé E, Lamden K, Baxter PD, Suggitt D, Donovan H, Gibney Y, Rappuoli R, Wright C, Rodgers E, Trotter C, Stuart J, Blake N, Glennie L, Lucidarme J, Bai X, Lekshmi A, Willeton L, Clark SA, Borrow R. Presentations at the UK National Immunisation Conference. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2022; 18:2087411. [PMID: 36441135 PMCID: PMC9766481 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2087411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Pollard
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Oxford, and the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Center, Oxford UK
| | - Noni E MacDonald
- Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University and IWK Health Center, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Eve Dubé
- Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Ken Lamden
- Retired consultant in health protection, Lancashire, UK
| | - Professor David Baxter
- Director of Medical Education / Consultant in Public Health and Clinical Skills Tutor, Stepping Hill hospital, Stockport, SK2 7JE
| | - Debbie Suggitt
- Director of Medical Education / Consultant in Public Health and Clinical Skills Tutor, Stepping Hill hospital, Stockport, SK2 7JE
| | - Helen Donovan
- Professional lead for public health nursing, Royal College of Nursing, Nursing Department, 20 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0RN
| | - Yvonne Gibney
- Member, Faculty of Travel Medicine, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Glasgow
| | - Rino Rappuoli
- Vaccine Research and Development, GlaxoSmithKline Vaccines, Siena, Italy
| | - C. Wright
- Meningitis Research Foundation, Research, Evidence and Policy, Bristol, UK
| | - E. Rodgers
- Meningitis Research Foundation, Research, Evidence and Policy, Bristol, UK
| | - C. Trotter
- University of Cambridge, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Cambridge, UK
| | - James Stuart
- University of Bristol, Population Health Sciences, Bristol, UK
| | - N. Blake
- Meningitis Research Foundation, Research, Evidence and Policy, Bristol, UK
| | - L. Glennie
- Meningitis Research Foundation, Research, Evidence and Policy, Bristol, UK
| | - Jay Lucidarme
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, UK Health Security Agency, Manchester, UK
| | - Xilian Bai
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, UK Health Security Agency, Manchester, UK
| | - Aiswarya Lekshmi
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, UK Health Security Agency, Manchester, UK
| | - Laura Willeton
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, UK Health Security Agency, Manchester, UK
| | - Stephen A. Clark
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, UK Health Security Agency, Manchester, UK
| | - Ray Borrow
- Meningococcal Reference Unit, UK Health Security Agency, Manchester, UK
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40
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Prado LCDS, Giacchetto Felice A, Rodrigues TCV, Tiwari S, Andrade BS, Kato RB, Oliveira CJF, Silva MV, Barh D, Azevedo VADC, Jaiswal AK, Soares SDC. New putative therapeutic targets against Serratia marcescens using reverse vaccinology and subtractive genomics. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 40:10106-10121. [PMID: 34192477 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1942211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The Gram-negative bacillus Serratia marcescens, a member of Enterobacteriaceae family, is an opportunistic nosocomial pathogen commonly found in hospital outbreaks that can cause infections in the urinary tract, bloodstream, central nervous system and pneumonia. Because S. marcescens strains are resistant to several antibiotics, it is critical the need for effective treatments, including new drugs and vaccines. Here, we applied reverse vaccinology and subtractive genomic approaches for the in silico prediction of potential vaccine and drug targets against 59 strains of S. marcescens. We found 759 core non-host homologous proteins, of which 87 are putative surface-exposed proteins, 183 secreted proteins, and 80 membrane proteins. From these proteins, we predicted seven candidates vaccine targets: a sn-glycerol-3-phosphate-binding periplasmic protein UgpB, a vitamin B12 TonB-dependent receptor, a ferrichrome porin FhuA, a divisome-associated lipoprotein YraP, a membrane-bound lytic murein transglycosylase A, a peptidoglycan lytic exotransglycosylase, and a DUF481 domain-containing protein. We also predicted two drug targets: a N(4)-acetylcytidine amidohydrolase, and a DUF1428 family protein. Using the molecular docking approach for each drug target, we identified and selected ZINC04259491 and ZINC04235390 molecules as the most favorable interactions with the target active site residues. Our findings may contribute to the development of vaccines and new drug targets against S. marcescens. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ligia Carolina da Silva Prado
- Inter-unit Post-Graduate Program in Bioinformatics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Andrei Giacchetto Felice
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Thaís Cristina Vilela Rodrigues
- Inter-unit Post-Graduate Program in Bioinformatics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Sandeep Tiwari
- Inter-unit Post-Graduate Program in Bioinformatics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Bruno Silva Andrade
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Computational Chemistry, State University of Southwest of Bahia, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Bentes Kato
- Inter-unit Post-Graduate Program in Bioinformatics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Carlo José Freire Oliveira
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Marcos Vinicius Silva
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Debmalya Barh
- Centre for Genomics and Applied Gene Technology, Institute of Integrative Omics and Applied Biotechnology, Nonakuri, West Bengal, India
| | - Vasco Ariston de Carvalho Azevedo
- Inter-unit Post-Graduate Program in Bioinformatics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Arun Kumar Jaiswal
- Inter-unit Post-Graduate Program in Bioinformatics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Siomar de Castro Soares
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
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41
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Maia MAC, Bettin EB, Barbosa LN, de Oliveira NR, Bunde TT, Pedra ACK, Rosa GA, da Rosa EEB, Seixas Neto ACP, Grassmann AA, McFadden J, Dellagostin OA, McBride AJA. Challenges for the development of a universal vaccine against leptospirosis revealed by the evaluation of 22 vaccine candidates. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:940966. [PMID: 36275031 PMCID: PMC9586249 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.940966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a neglected disease of man and animals that affects nearly half a million people annually and causes considerable economic losses. Current human vaccines are inactivated whole-cell preparations (bacterins) of Leptospira spp. that provide strong homologous protection yet fail to induce a cross-protective immune response. Yearly boosters are required, and serious side-effects are frequently reported so the vaccine is licensed for use in humans in only a handful of countries. Novel universal vaccines require identification of conserved surface-exposed epitopes of leptospiral antigens. Outer membrane β-barrel proteins (βb-OMPs) meet these requirements and have been successfully used as vaccines for other diseases. We report the evaluation of 22 constructs containing protein fragments from 33 leptospiral βb-OMPs, previously identified by reverse and structural vaccinology and cell-surface immunoprecipitation. Three-dimensional structures for each leptospiral βb-OMP were predicted by I-TASSER. The surface-exposed epitopes were predicted using NetMHCII 2.2 and BepiPred 2.0. Recombinant constructs containing regions from one or more βb-OMPs were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. IMAC-purified recombinant proteins were adsorbed to an aluminium hydroxide adjuvant to produce the vaccine formulations. Hamsters (4-6 weeks old) were vaccinated with 2 doses containing 50 – 125 μg of recombinant protein, with a 14-day interval between doses. Immunoprotection was evaluated in the hamster model of leptospirosis against a homologous challenge (10 – 20× ED50) with L. interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae serovar Copenhageni strain Fiocruz L1-130. Of the vaccine formulations, 20/22 were immunogenic and induced significant humoral immune responses (IgG) prior to challenge. Four constructs induced significant protection (100%, P < 0.001) and sterilizing immunity in two independent experiments, however, this was not reproducible in subsequent evaluations (0 – 33.3% protection, P > 0.05). The lack of reproducibility seen in these challenge experiments and in other reports in the literature, together with the lack of immune correlates and commercially available reagents to characterize the immune response, suggest that the hamster may not be the ideal model for evaluation of leptospirosis vaccines and highlight the need for evaluation of alternative models, such as the mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara A. C. Maia
- Biotechnology Unit, Technological Development Centre, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Everton B. Bettin
- Biotechnology Unit, Technological Development Centre, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Liana N. Barbosa
- Biotechnology Unit, Technological Development Centre, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Natasha R. de Oliveira
- Biotechnology Unit, Technological Development Centre, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Tiffany T. Bunde
- Biotechnology Unit, Technological Development Centre, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina K. Pedra
- Biotechnology Unit, Technological Development Centre, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Guilherme A. Rosa
- Biotechnology Unit, Technological Development Centre, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Elias E. B. da Rosa
- Biotechnology Unit, Technological Development Centre, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Amilton C. P. Seixas Neto
- Biotechnology Unit, Technological Development Centre, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - André A. Grassmann
- Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Johnjoe McFadden
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Odir A. Dellagostin
- Biotechnology Unit, Technological Development Centre, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Alan J. A. McBride
- Biotechnology Unit, Technological Development Centre, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Alan J. A. McBride,
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Genetic Features of a Representative Panel of 110 Meningococcal B Isolates to Assess the Efficacy of Meningococcal B Vaccines. mSphere 2022; 7:e0038522. [PMID: 36129279 PMCID: PMC9599336 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00385-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Predictions of vaccine efficacy against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (NmB) disease are hindered by antigenic variability, limiting the representativeness of individual NmB isolates. A qualitative human serum bactericidal assay using endogenous complements of individual subjects (enc-hSBA) enables large panels of NmB isolates to be tested. A 110-isolate panel was randomly selected from 442 invasive NmB isolates from United States cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) from 2000 to 2008. Typing analyses confirmed the 110-isolate panel is representative of the 442 isolates. The genetic features of the 110-isolate panel were compared against over 4,200 invasive NmB isolates collected from 2000 to 2018 in the United States, Australia, Canada, and nine European countries. Clonal complexes in the 110-isolate panel are also present in each geographical region; cumulative percentages show that these account for around 81% of the clonal complexes found in NmB isolates in other panels. For the antigens (fHbp, NHBA, PorA1.4, NadA) included in the currently licensed meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) vaccines, specifically considering the presence of at least one antigen with a matched genotype, the 110-isolate panel represents approximately 89% of the NmB isolates circulating worldwide, ranging from 87% for the European isolates to 95% and 97% for NmB isolates in the United States and Australia, respectively. The 110-isolate panel includes the most prevalent clonal complexes and genetic variants of MenB vaccine antigens found in a multinational collection of invasive NmB isolates. This panel is useful for assessing the efficacy of MenB vaccines in clinical trials worldwide. IMPORTANCENeisseria meningitidis serogroup B (NmB) is a major cause of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). Predicting the effectiveness of vaccines against NmB is difficult because NmB is an uncommon disease and because antigens targeted by meningococcal serogroup B (MenB) vaccines have highly variable genetic features and expression levels. Therefore, a large number of NmB isolates from different regions would need to be tested to comprehensively assess vaccine effectiveness. We examined a panel of 110 isolates obtained from NmB IMD cases in the United States and compared the genetic features of this panel with those of panels from different countries around the world. We found the 110-isolate panel included the most common clonal complexes and genetic variants of MenB vaccine antigens that exist in the global collections of invasive NmB isolates. This confirms the value of the NmB 110-isolate panel in understanding the effectiveness of MenB vaccines in clinical trials worldwide.
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Pissarra J, Dorkeld F, Loire E, Bonhomme V, Sereno D, Lemesre JL, Holzmuller P. SILVI, an open-source pipeline for T-cell epitope selection. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273494. [PMID: 36070252 PMCID: PMC9451077 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
High-throughput screening of available genomic data and identification of potential antigenic candidates have promoted the development of epitope-based vaccines and therapeutics. Several immunoinformatic tools are available to predict potential epitopes and other immunogenicity-related features, yet it is still challenging and time-consuming to compare and integrate results from different algorithms. We developed the R script SILVI (short for: from in silico to in vivo), to assist in the selection of the potentially most immunogenic T-cell epitopes from Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-binding prediction data. SILVI merges and compares data from available HLA-binding prediction servers, and integrates additional relevant information of predicted epitopes, namely BLASTp alignments with host proteins and physical-chemical properties. The two default criteria applied by SILVI and additional filtering allow the fast selection of the most conserved, promiscuous, strong binding T-cell epitopes. Users may adapt the script at their discretion as it is written in open-source R language. To demonstrate the workflow and present selection options, SILVI was used to integrate HLA-binding prediction results of three example proteins, from viral, bacterial and parasitic microorganisms, containing validated epitopes included in the Immune Epitope Database (IEDB), plus the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) proteome. Applying different filters on predicted IC50, hydrophobicity and mismatches with host proteins allows to significantly reduce the epitope lists with favourable sensitivity and specificity to select immunogenic epitopes. We contemplate SILVI will assist T-cell epitope selections and can be continuously refined in a community-driven manner, helping the improvement and design of peptide-based vaccines or immunotherapies. SILVI development version is available at: github.com/JoanaPissarra/SILVI2020 and https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6865909.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Pissarra
- UMR INTERTRYP, IRD, CIRAD, University of Montpellier (I-MUSE), Montpellier, France
- * E-mail:
| | - Franck Dorkeld
- UMR CBGP, INRAE, CIRAD, IRD, Montpellier SupAgro, University of Montpellier (I-MUSE), Montpellier, France
| | - Etienne Loire
- UMR ASTRE, CIRAD, INRAE, University of Montpellier (I-MUSE), Montpellier, France
| | - Vincent Bonhomme
- ISEM, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, University of Montpellier (I-MUSE), Montpellier, France
| | - Denis Sereno
- UMR INTERTRYP, IRD, CIRAD, University of Montpellier (I-MUSE), Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-Loup Lemesre
- UMR INTERTRYP, IRD, CIRAD, University of Montpellier (I-MUSE), Montpellier, France
| | - Philippe Holzmuller
- UMR ASTRE, CIRAD, INRAE, University of Montpellier (I-MUSE), Montpellier, France
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Alzarea SI. Identification and construction of a multi-epitopes vaccine design against Klebsiella aerogenes: molecular modeling study. Sci Rep 2022; 12:14402. [PMID: 36002561 PMCID: PMC9399595 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-18610-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
A rapid rise in antibiotic resistance by bacterial pathogens is due to these pathogens adaptation to the changing environmental conditions. Antibiotic resistance infections can be reduced by a number of ways such as development of safe and effective vaccine. Klebsiella aerogene is a gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium resistant to a variety of antibiotics and no commercial vaccine is available against the pathogen. Identifying antigens that can be easily evaluated experimentally would be crucial to successfully vaccine development. Reverse vaccinology (RV) was used to identify vaccine candidates based on complete pathogen proteomic information. The fully sequenced proteomes include 44,115 total proteins of which 43,316 are redundant and 799 are non-redundant. Subcellular localization showed that only 1 protein in extracellular matrix, 7 were found in outer-membrane proteins, and 27 in the periplasm space. A total of 3 proteins were found virulent. Next in the B-cell-derived T-cell epitopes mapping phase, the 3 proteins (Fe2+- enterobactin, ABC transporter substrate-binding protein, and fimbriae biogenesis outer membrane usher protein) were tested positive for antigenicity, toxicity, and solubility. GPGPG linkers were used to prepare a vaccine construct composed of 7 epitopes and an adjuvant of toxin B subunit (CTBS). Molecular docking of vaccine construct with major histocompatibility-I (MHC-I), major histocompatibility-II (MHC-II), and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) revealed vaccine robust interactions and stable binding pose to the receptors. By using molecular dynamics simulations, the vaccine-receptors complexes unveiled stable dynamics and uniform root mean square deviation (rmsd). Further, binding energies of complex were computed that again depicted strong intermolecular bindings and formation of stable conformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sami I Alzarea
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka, Aljouf, 72341, Saudi Arabia.
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45
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Paliwal D, Thom M, Hussein A, Ravishankar D, Wilkes A, Charleston B, Jones IM. Towards Reverse Vaccinology for Bovine TB: High Throughput Expression of Full Length Recombinant Mycobacterium bovis Proteins. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:889667. [PMID: 36032666 PMCID: PMC9402895 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.889667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis, is a significant global pathogen causing economic loss in livestock and zoonotic TB in man. Several vaccine approaches are in development including reverse vaccinology which uses an unbiased approach to select open reading frames (ORF) of potential vaccine candidates, produce them as recombinant proteins and assesses their immunogenicity by direct immunization. To provide feasibility data for this approach we have cloned and expressed 123 ORFs from the M. bovis genome, using a mixture of E. coli and insect cell expression. We used a concatenated open reading frames design to reduce the number of clones required and single chain fusion proteins for protein pairs known to interact, such as the members of the PPE-PE family. Over 60% of clones showed soluble expression in one or the other host and most allowed rapid purification of the tagged bTB protein from the host cell background. The catalogue of recombinant proteins represents a resource that may be suitable for test immunisations in the development of an effective bTB vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepa Paliwal
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
| | | | - Areej Hussein
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
| | | | - Alex Wilkes
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ian M. Jones
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Ian M. Jones,
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Kumar P, Shiraz M, Akif M. Multi-epitope-based vaccine design by exploring antigenic potential among leptospiral lipoproteins using comprehensive immunoinformatics and structure-based approaches. Biotechnol Appl Biochem 2022; 70:670-687. [PMID: 35877991 DOI: 10.1002/bab.2389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a tropical and globally neglected zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic spirochetes, leptospira. Although the disease has been studied for decades, a potent or effective vaccine is not available so far. Efforts are being made to design an efficient vaccine candidate using different approaches. Immunoinformatics approaches have been proven to be promising in terms of time and cost. Here, we used immunoinformatics and structure-based approaches to evaluate antigenic B and T-cell epitopes present on the Leptospiral lipoproteins (LipL). The promiscuous overlapping epitopes (B-cell, T-cell, IFN- γ positive and non-allergens), which can induce humoral, cell-mediated, and innate immunity, were selected to generate a multi-epitope chimeric vaccine. To enhance the vaccine immunogenicity, a TLR agonist was fused to the vaccine with a suitable linker. The chimeric vaccine structure was predicted for molecular docking studies with immune receptors. Moreover, the stability of the vaccine-immune receptor complexes was analyzed by normal mode analysis (NMA). The potency of the vaccine construct was predicted by the immune simulation tool. The study provides additional information towards constructing a peptide-based chimeric vaccine effort against Leptospira. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pankaj Kumar
- Laboratory of Structural Biology, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, INDIA
| | - Mohd Shiraz
- Laboratory of Structural Biology, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, INDIA
| | - Mohd Akif
- Laboratory of Structural Biology, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, INDIA
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Robin C, Redjoul R, Terrade A, Deghmane AE, Cabanne L, Cordonnier C, Taha MK. Immunogenicity and safety of the meningococcal B recombinant (4CMenB) vaccine in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation recipients. Clin Microbiol Infect 2022; 28:1609-1614. [PMID: 35803542 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2022.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Despite a high risk of invasive meningococcal (Men) disease, there is no published data on any MenB vaccine after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). We investigated the immunogenicity and safety of the 4CMenB recombinant vaccine (Bexsero®) in adult HCT recipients. METHODS Patients were eligible from 6 months post-HCT to receive 2 4CMenB doses at 2 months interval. Sera were collected at baseline, 1 month after the second dose, and 12 months after enrollment. The serum bactericidal activity (SBA) using human complement (hSBA) was assessed against fHbp, NadA, PorAP1.4 and NHBA antigens. The vaccine response was defined by one criteria for one vaccine antigen: (1) In patients with a hSBA titer < 4 at baseline: a titer > 4; (2) In patients with a hSBA titer > 4 at baseline: at least a x4 increase. RESULTS 40 patients were included at a median of 2.14 (0.57-13.03) years post-transplant. At baseline, most patients (32/40 80%) had hSBA titers < 4 for all vaccine antigens. After 2 vaccine doses, the proportion of patients with a titer > 4 was significantly increased for fHbp (23/40 57.5%), NadA (25/40 62.5%), and PorA (31/40 77.5%) but not for NHBA for which only 6/40 (15%) patients responded. 36/40 (90%) patients were responders to > 1 antigen. However, 9 months later, only 23/37 (62.2%) patients were still seroprotected. No severe adverse event was observed. CONCLUSION The response rate of 90% for >1 vaccine antigen and our safety data supports the 4CMenB vaccination of HCT recipients from 6 months after transplant with 2 doses. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03509051.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Robin
- Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Henri Mondor Hospital, Hematology Department, Creteil, France; University Paris-Est-Créteil, Créteil, France.
| | - Rabah Redjoul
- Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Henri Mondor Hospital, Hematology Department, Creteil, France
| | - Aude Terrade
- Institut Pasteur, Invasive bacterial infections Unit and National reference center for meningococci and Haemophilus influenzae, 28, rue du Dr Roux, Paris, France
| | - Ala-Eddine Deghmane
- Institut Pasteur, Invasive bacterial infections Unit and National reference center for meningococci and Haemophilus influenzae, 28, rue du Dr Roux, Paris, France
| | - Ludovic Cabanne
- Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Henri Mondor Hospital, Hematology Department, Creteil, France
| | - Catherine Cordonnier
- Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Henri Mondor Hospital, Hematology Department, Creteil, France; University Paris-Est-Créteil, Créteil, France.
| | - Muhamed-Kheir Taha
- Institut Pasteur, Invasive bacterial infections Unit and National reference center for meningococci and Haemophilus influenzae, 28, rue du Dr Roux, Paris, France
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48
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Long Q, Zheng P, Zheng X, Li W, Hua L, Yang Z, Huang W, Ma Y. Engineered bacterial membrane vesicles are promising carriers for vaccine design and tumor immunotherapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 186:114321. [PMID: 35533789 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial membrane vesicles (BMVs) have emerged as novel and promising platforms for the development of vaccines and immunotherapeutic strategies against infectious and noninfectious diseases. The rich microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) and nanoscale membrane vesicle structure of BMVs make them highly immunogenic. In addition, BMVs can be endowed with more functions via genetic and chemical modifications. This article reviews the immunological characteristics and effects of BMVs, techniques for BMV production and modification, and the applications of BMVs as vaccines or vaccine carriers. In summary, given their versatile characteristics and immunomodulatory properties, BMVs can be used for clinical vaccine or immunotherapy applications.
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Alsowayeh N, Albutti A, Al-Shouli ST. Reverse Vaccinology and Immunoinformatic Assisted Designing of a Multi-Epitopes Based Vaccine Against Nosocomial Burkholderia cepacia. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:929400. [PMID: 35875518 PMCID: PMC9297367 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.929400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Burkholderia cepacia is a Gram-negative nosocomial pathogen and is considered as a troublesome bacterium due to its resistance to many common antibiotics. There is no licensed vaccine available to prevent the pathogen infections, thus making the condition more alarming and warrant the search for novel therapeutic and prophylactic approaches. In order to identify protective antigens from pathogen proteome, substantial efforts are put forth to prioritized potential vaccine targets and antigens that can be easily evaluated experimentally. In this vaccine design investigation, it was found that B. cepacia completely sequenced proteomes available in NCBI genome database has a total of 28,966 core proteins. Out of total, 25,282 proteins were found redundant while 3,684 were non-redundant. Subcellular localization revealed that 18 proteins were extracellular, 31 were part of the outer membrane, 75 proteins were localized in the periplasm, and 23 were virulent proteins. Five proteins namely flagellar hook protein (FlgE), fimbria biogenesis outer membrane usher protein, Type IV pilus secretin (PilQ), cytochrome c4, flagellar hook basal body complex protein (FliE) were tested for positive for antigenic, non-toxic, and soluble epitopes during predication of B-cell derived T-cell epitopes. A vaccine peptide of 14 epitopes (joined together via GPGPG linkers) and cholera toxin B subunit (CTBS) adjuvant (joined to epitopes peptide via EAAAK linker) was constructed. Binding interaction of the modeled vaccine with MHC-I, MHC-II, and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) immune receptors was studied using molecular docking studies and further analyzed in molecular dynamics simulations that affirms strong intermolecular binding and stable dynamics. The maximum root mean square deviation (RMSD) score of complexes in the simulation time touches to 2 Å. Additionally, complexes binding free energies were determined that concluded robust interaction energies dominated by van der Waals. The total energy of each complex is < -190 kcal/mol. In summary, the designed vaccine showed promising protective immunity against B. cepacia and needs to be examined in experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noorah Alsowayeh
- Department of Biology, College of Education (Majmaah), Majmaah University, Al-Majmaah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aqel Albutti
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Samia T. Al-Shouli
- Immunology Unit, Pathology Department, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Chang CM, Awanye AM, Marsay L, Dold C, Pollard AJ, Rollier CS, Feavers IM, Maiden MCJ, Derrick JP. Application of a Neisseria meningitidis antigen microarray to identify candidate vaccine proteins from a human Phase I clinical trial. Vaccine 2022; 40:3835-3842. [PMID: 35610106 PMCID: PMC7616631 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.05.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Meningococcal meningitis is a rare but serious condition affecting mainly children and young adults. Outer membrane vesicles (OMV) from Neisseria meningitidis have been used successfully as vaccines against the disease, although they only provide protection against a limited number of the many existing variants. There have been many attempts to identify suitable protein antigens for use in defined vaccines that provide broad protection against the disease, such as that leading to the development of the four component 4CMenB vaccine. We previously reported the use of a protein antigen microarray to screen for IgG antibodies in sera derived from human recipients of an OMV-based vaccine, as part of a Phase I clinical trial. Here, we show that computational methods can be used to cluster antigens that elicit similar responses in the same individuals. Fitting of IgG antibody binding data to 4,005 linear regressions identified pairs of antigens that exhibited significant correlations. Some were from the same antigens in different quaternary states, whilst others might be correlated for functional or immunological reasons. We also conducted statistical analyses to examine correlations between individual serum bactericidal antibody (SBA) titres and IgG reactivity against specific antigens. Both Kendall's tau and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient statistics identified specific antigens that correlated with log(SBA) titre in five different isolates. The principal antigens identified were PorA and PorB, RmpM, OpcA, and the type IV pilus assembly secretin, PilQ. Other minor antigens identified included a lipoprotein, two proteins from the BAM complex and the efflux channel MtrE. Our results suggest that consideration of the entire antigen composition, and allowance for potential interaction between antigens, could be valuable in designing future meningococcal vaccines. Such an approach has the advantages that it uses data derived from human, rather than animal, immunization and that it avoids the need to screen individual antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Mien Chang
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Amaka M Awanye
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Leanne Marsay
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, and the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford OX3 7LE, UK
| | - Christina Dold
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, and the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford OX3 7LE, UK
| | - Andrew J Pollard
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, and the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford OX3 7LE, UK
| | - Christine S Rollier
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, and the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford OX3 7LE, UK; School of Biosciences and Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Ian M Feavers
- National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Blanche Lane, South Mimms, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, UK; Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3SZ, UK
| | - Martin C J Maiden
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, 11a Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3SZ, UK
| | - Jeremy P Derrick
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
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